Mocktails! 4 TASTY non alcoholic drinks to try at home

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Today we’re making mocktails! Here are four non alcoholic drinks for you to try at home. Mixing up drinks without alcohol is a fun challenge, and an opportunity for everyone to experience new flavor combinations - no need to check IDs! So for those who don’t drink, taking a little time off from the hard stuff, or simply just curious how these mocktails taste - this lineup is for you. No alcohol doesn’t have to mean no fun. Hope you enjoy - Cheers!
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TIME STAMPS
Intro: 0:00
The Placebo: 0:42
A Little Thyme Off: 2:13
Thyme Simple Syrup: 2:25
Passion at the Disco: 4:04
Cherry Zip: 4:49
Merch Drop: 6:25
THE PLACEBO (NA PAINKILLER) RECIPE 0:58
6 oz. (180 ml) pineapple juice
2 oz. (60 ml) orange juice
2 oz. (60 ml) cream of coconut*
3/4 oz. (22.5 ml) lime juice
Pinch of ground cinnamon
1 cup crushed ice
Grated nutmeg, pineapple fronds, & tiki umbrella for garnish
A LITTLE THYME OFF RECIPE 3:00
1 oz. (30 ml) lemon juice
1 oz. (30 ml) thyme-infused simple syrup**
4-5 oz. (120-150 ml) Fever Tree Ginger Beer
Thyme sprigs & lemon wheel for garnish
PASSION AT THE DISCO RECIPE 4:16
1 oz. (30 ml) lime juice
1 oz. (30 ml) passion fruit syrup
2 oz. (60 ml) Fever Tree Indian Tonic Water
Mint leaf for garnish
CHERRY ZIP RECIPE 5:09
1 oz. (30 ml) tart cherry juice (no sugar added)
1 oz. (30 ml) orgeat
1 oz. (30 ml) black tea (cooled)
1/2 oz. (15 ml) lemon juice
1/4 tsp. red chili flakes
Mint sprig for garnish
*CREAM OF COCONUT RECIPE (SYRUPS VIDEO 2.0: • Homemade Cocktail Syru... )
1.75 cups (420ml) white sugar
13.5 oz. (400ml) unsweetened full fat coconut milk (1 can)
Pinch of salt
In a medium sauce pan, combine sugar, coconut milk, and salt. Stir over heat until sugar is completely dissolved.
**THYME SYRUP RECIPE 2:25
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
20g fresh thyme sprigs
- Over low heat, combine sugar and water. Stir to dissolve. Add fresh thyme and simmer for 10 minutes (don’t boil!). Once cooled, remove thyme sprigs & strain syrup to catch any little thyme bits.
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Anders Erickson
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[@AndersErickson]

Merch is here! Grab your gear 👉 exlsv.com/collections/anders-erickson Happy mocktailing everyone!

[@asterisque716]

Can you share the recipe with the kombucha in it?

[@TeraGeishauser]

Currently a million months pregnant and ‘the placebo’ is hitting the spot!!! Delicious 👌🏼 thanks!!

[@bradsimpson8724]

I don't participate in Dry January myself, but I change my cocktail menu at my home bar every month, and I like to have at least one(preferably two) mocktails for the kids, designated drivers, and friends who don't drink. I really appreciate that you have a set of recipes that don't rely on expensive(and typically lackluster) spirit replacements - they all seem to suck. A personal note on the merch: I'm not a hat guy, and I'm way too picky about the materials and fit to order a hoodie online. What'd really be great, and something I'd definitely buy, would be a set of nice coasters with the bear on them. It seems like something that'd be easy to produce and on-theme with what you're doing. Any chance of that?

[@AndersErickson]

Love the idea - both your monthly home bar menus, and the coasters! Definitely possible. We'll be launching non apparel merch down the road. Thanks, Brad!

[@JohnReddersen]

@@AndersErickson If you're looking for more ideas. I still need a lewis bag & mallet and I'd love ones with the bear.

[@ronaldcaudell3249]

My thing is medications. Unfortunately life has recently given me some medical issues that require me to take a small handful of medications. These particular medications come with warnings strongly advising against me consuming alcohol while on these medications due to major adverse reactions. …. Here’s my problem… Because of this unfortunate situation that I now find myself in, I get crappy attitudes from bar tenders when I ask for a non-alcoholic beer or mocktail. Really?!?!? Why?!?! Thanks for being considerate of my situation… “Not!”

[@FabricadeBasme]

Well, I don't have health problems, but I just don't drink generally, so this is the attitude I get too, especially with the dumb idea that young people should drink because it's "fun". No, it isn't fun.

[@SevTST]

I'm gonna have to make The Placebo for my wife. She's not participating in Dry January intentionally, but our daughter has kept her alcohol free since last January. It'll be nice to have something tropical and turn our thoughts toward summer!

[@christinecadorette4316]

With the gin, it should be a thyme served :)

[@AndersErickson]

Ooh that's good - write that one down.

[@AlonzoTheArmless]

That's brilliant! By the way, this will be a great summer drink when my thyme will be fresh in my garden. In fact, I'll use my lemon thyme!

[@pemborsky]

Thyme and Thyme A'Gin

[@karwannouri8266]

@@pemborsky Brilliant

[@jimhill1234]

@@AndersErickson I knew I'd been beaten to that. Dang. Maybe Thyme of Your Life or Thyme To Die (Apologies To Bladerunner).

[@Endlessknits]

I made a Basil Smash today using juniper berry tea. It was amazing. I made the tea strong with the crushed berries. It tasted like gin. The basil, lemon juice and simple syrup was shaken with ice but not the tea. I added that at the end. I just had to share because honestly, it was like the real thing.

[@AndersErickson]

I want to try this! Thanks for sharing - sounds amazing!

[@anujaya2317]

How did you do the tea? How much juniper to water ratio and how long do you steep for? I’ve been experimenting with things like this, but using juniper berries is brilliant!

[@Endlessknits]

@@anujaya2317 I used 1 tbsp juniper berry in 1/2 cup water. I crushed the berries first. Simmer for about 10 seconds and set aside. I let it cool off by itself. Strain and refrigerate. I used the same proportion of tea as I would in the cocktail. However,I didn't shake the tea so not to soften the juniper flavor. Let me know how it turns out.

[@nicholasbettis5527]

I put a bit of cinnamon syrup in my painkillers and nix a bit of cream of coconut. Honestly, swapping cinnamon syrup to most tiki cocktails is a fantastic idea. I use it in a jungle bird instead of simple. It's fantastic.

[@AndersErickson]

That does sound fantastic. Cheers!

[@Kazaii64]

I cannot believe you just gave the internet a Mocktail Painkiller -- with a bitchin' name, to boot -- for free. That's a house favourite in my Shack. You just made Dry January heavenly. I nominate Anders for the Nobel peace prize for curing alcoholism. May we all thank him via merchandise purchases & walk around with a little bit of Glory.

[@AndersErickson]

Haha thanks Mark! Cheers to you!!

[@gilliangilliangillian]

My husband and I are doing dry January and got a set of actual shaker tins just as we started, so these drinks are definitely going to be in our glasses this month. I'd love to see some regular drinks with the thyme syrup too, just in case we have some left over!

[@fritzallgemeine]

The Thyme Off one is definitely coming on the menu when we get together with the neighbors. Even if we don't need a designated driver

[@QuokkaJo]

Thank you! I'm glad you made more, and I truly hope this becomes a series!

[@Danny-qi4lp]

These will be excellent for those who give up alcohol during Lent. They will also be good with alcohol during Mardi Gras. Thanks for the great new ideas.

[@yannikpetulla4300]

Yessss I always have friends that dont drink but still want a cocktail Thanks Anders

[@kathyperantie5160]

I just made the cherry zip and it was really fabulous! I love the kick at the tail end. Thanks for all these great ideas!

[@AngryCocktails]

I love puns - Placebo is an excellent name!

[@stevecompton9644]

Made the slightly adjusted Cherry Zip yesterday for my teenaged kids. Omitted the red pepper flake and used tart pomegranate juice left over from making grenadine. Added some white rum for the wife and I. It was a hit all around!

[@witali5165]

I'm trying to go completely alcohol-free and this is so good! I'm currently sipping on my Passion at the Disco and love every bit of it. 👍🏻

[@meetmeformocktails]

These are great; the Cherry Zip in particular is a great idea, I used it for a batch mocktail last night. Since there were younger kids around I omitted the chili flakes and swapped the black tea for a vanilla herbal tea.

[@charthepirate]

I’m not doing dry January (well I’m not playing video games for a month, but still having cocktails lol). Since getting into cocktails one fun thing has been having syrups and fresh citrus around to mix with seltzer means my workday quenchers are way more fun :)

[@AndersErickson]

Good for you - don't think I could do a month of no video games!

[@apeacebone6499]

Last year I had something closely resembling the Thyme Off at the restaurant at Maligne Canyon, in Jasper National Park. Been thinking about it since, and even made some thyme syrup in an attempt to recreate it. Excited to give this recipe a try!

[@zachstueve9657]

Anders, do you have any plans of consolidating all of your recipes in book form, both your original recipes and your Anders-ified recipes of classic cocktails? That is totally something I would buy and I'm sure many others would as well!

[@user-vn6mu6so8v]

In Canada, we just had a report released warning about how alcohol greatly increases your risk of cancer. Excellent timing to come across this video 😅

[@scottau]

Just made the Placebo (with lemon juice rather than lime as that's all I had). It's pretty damn great. I'll certainly be putting cinnamon in my cane pillars from now on too

[@scottau]

Right @AndersErickson, I'm going to have to put the blame squarely on your shoulders for indirectly exposing my children to the Placebo. It's now three weeks later, and they are utterly addicted to these delicious tropical drinks. Every time I now ask my kids if they want something to drink, this is what they want. I'm spending far too much time mixing, looking for fresh pineapples, making cream of coconut, grating nutmeg and just generally acting bartender to a 4 year old and a 6 year old who have discovered the joy of non-alcoholic tiki at too early an age. You've spoiled them! (I accept no blame personally). If it wasn't for the fact that I'm also addicted (and lets face it, also to your 'not a painkiller' painkiller), I'd be damn angry right now. Now, back to the bar.

[@RealSeanithan]

Dry January is a fine tradition. My only reason for not celebrating it myself is because it pretty much immediately precedes Lent (fairly well immediately this year), so I already have a time of abstinence early in the year.

[@Booseman51]

This is perfect timing. Doing dry January and have a birthday later this month so now I have some drinks to celebrate with!

[@sophievanderbilt1325]

The Cherry zip look amazing. I’d probably sub Korean pepper flakes for the Italian ones since they don’t have the seeds and would have a softer texture in your mouth (still spicy, though!). This way you don’t have to crunch on bitter pepper flakes.

[@boardljausn]

Never heard of Dry Ginuary. But already big fan of it

[@ItsMe-fs4df]

Most mocktail recipes I've seen are either really boring, or have way too many steps that it makes me want to drink... But 3 from 3 here! I'm definitely going to give them all a try

[@spookyweirdo6650]

Made the Cherry Zip tonight and LOVED IT. Gonna be a regular. Used chai black tea for a bit more of a kick and loved it. Also played around with ratios to reduce the orgeat syrup for a friend watching their sugar intake. Reducing orgeat to 0.5oz and chai black tea to 20ml still balances Really nicely.

[@dr.doshay4170]

"It's back to drinkin".. lol I love your humor so much! 🤣

[@josephlebo7320]

These are great alternatives! I'm also curious about diabetic friendly versions of common alcoholic drinks, like maybe a way to substitute some of the higher sugar mixers and syrups for low sugar/sugar free versions.

[@adamhermanowski8428]

AMAZING ! Thank You Anders. Please, more mocktails sips, tips and recipes :> !

[@mimzers1]

I was just saying to my mother today that I need to make her mock tails since she doesn’t drink alcohol and then this video popped up !! Thank you’ always reading my mind!

[@AndersErickson]

Hope you both enjoy these recipes! Cheers!

[@ronswansonsalterego8533]

I do dry January 2nd and 3rd. ;-) But a couple of these look interesting with the added kick you mentioned at the end of each section. Like you channel for the suggestions as even I get tired of whiskey - scotch bourbon and rye are great but there other things out there.

[@nickmonts]

I will make some thyme syrup. I hope you provide some recipes for it in February

[@Tokebl]

I made a mocktail card before new years as I had several guest I knew couldn't drink. I found one of your old videos as well as a video from Leandro. The mocktails were a huge hit and has really inspired me to expand the card. Will give these a try. They look delicious. Thanks for a great channel.

[@user-gd2nc3ld4i]

All of them sound so tempting! Really appreciated your previous mocktail video! I'm quite often in the mood for a liquid treat but so much alcohol isn't good. Your recipies are simple, but the taste of drinks is "crafty" enough to satisfy hunger for smth special.

[@noahrussell2043]

Have you ever tried using fresh bergamots in cocktails? Elegance to a whole new level!

[@AndersErickson]

Can't say I have. Thinking now I need to try it.

[@merelcuperus9066]

Just made a little thyme off. SO GOOD. Thanks for this video:)

[@Zarazkowy]

I'm in love with Cherry zip. How about adding a little bit of saline solution, salt?

[@AndersErickson]

Absolutely 👍

[@rocksteady551]

I saw a little thyme off and straight up BOOKED it to the grocery store within 2 minutes I’m not kidding

[@shealowery3206]

The placebo was excellent!! Can't wait to try the others!

[@svndve]

I’ve watched every video of yours, but never realized that the bear’s snout was a cocktail glass 😭 Awesome logo design!

[@jschoenack]

TOO THE BAR! 🥃

[@jschoenack]

More spam

[@lemonysnick5171]

Love the new merch! Great video

[@AndersErickson]

Thanks Mark! Cheers!

[@Norma-Mays]

I'm trying to go completely alcohol-free and this is so good! I'm currently sipping on my Passion at the Disco and love every bit of it.

[@conormurphy4328]

Aww that's a shame i'd like to make the placebo but I don't have any cocktail umbrellas

[@AndersErickson]

Hahaha oh well

[@IyáSámuélí]

😊so much fun to watch!😁 thank you!

[@seletarroots3258]

It´s either "A little Thyme off" or "On the Clock". You can go with "Punched in" too for the boozy kind.

[@josephlau8476]

I like mocktail very much.

[@e.j.bosman7728]

Great video and ideas again Anders, thanks! The thyme off is awesome

[@LS-bk3so]

really appreciate this video! i’m a bartender attempting an alcohol free lifestyle and mocktails make me so happy!

[@seanpannebaker6404]

Made The Placebo this evening. Turned out great! Thanks again!

[@petermcguire4769]

The painkiller is so much better than a pina colada in my opinion, so obviously the Placebo should be miles ahead of a virgin pina colada. And I've been using the trader Joe's pineapple juice for years. Much better than Dole and not even very expensive.

[@travelingman45]

Yes! I stayed tuned! I meet up with a small group of family and friends on Friday evenings and I’m the designated cocktail maker, so honestly I’ll grab one of yours, but we’re all doing dry January, so I’m excited that you have these for us for this month!

[@vismundcygnus2800]

These look pretty good. I'm not into Dry January, myself, and likely never will be. But they do look good. I'll have to try them sometime soon. Thanks!

[@scottschroeder7912]

Yes! Cinnamon syrup in the Painkiller is fabulous 👌🤤

[@sharoncruz9901]

These look amazingly delicious! So easy to free pour some spirits into 😂

[@KFChocobo]

100% on the cold-pressed pineapple juice at TJs!

[@leshrac369]

I dont know where the Bitter Bear as a theming from the channel comes from (Ive been watching a while but dont know the reference) But even despite that..the art is extremely cute!

[@Pakernia777]

This one looks great

[@ittiebittiethrowballer]

These are unique recipes , little thyme off looks interesting ✌️🍹

[@josephinemalone2791]

I'm recently going sober so these are wonderful to have ❤

[@jurgenandrag3181]

Around the holidays I made an "Insta Model"? for the kids. 1 once passion fruit Puree, half ounce lemon juice, half ounce vanilla syrup, shake and dump in a pint glass and top with ginger beer.

[@AndersErickson]

That sounds excellent. Cheers to everyone!

[@David-mg8zu]

I loved your placebo Anders. I’m not a fan of dry anything haha 😂. But I love making non booze versions of cocktails I love from time to time. My favourite is the virgin michelada. It’s soo good, and all you need to do is swap the beer for an alcohol free one. Cheers my friend.

[@AndersErickson]

Thanks David! I actually find mixing non alcoholic drinks to be more challenging than cocktails. Don't know how I haven't thought of using an alcohol free beer. Cheers to that!

[@Elizabeth-dg8dn]

@@AndersErickson Do you know of a good tasting non alcoholic beer?

[@homebrewerstan]

@@Elizabeth-dg8dn I was surprised at how good Heinekin 0.0 is, and I am a beer geek/homebrewer. Enjoy!

[@MsSussiluss]

Looks very tasty and easy to do for those who for somewhat reason don't want to drink.

[@HellooJames11]

Wow, I am shocked by how good each of these sound! This is the exactly kind of creativity that draws me into trying different cocktails and to see it applied to non-alcoholic counterparts is refreshing (pun intended)

[@katherinebandin]

I’ll be definitely trying the “Passion at the disco” 🤤🤤 Thanks for the recipe!! 🎉

[@pesto12601]

how do you keep all these syrups fresh? I mean - not many home chefs are going to make passionfruit and thyme syrups for a single drink? Can you freeze them for use later? Thx!

[@AndersErickson]

Absolutely! I freeze all of my syrups unless I plan on using them up soon. They last a super long time this way.

[@Reload7x1]

How’d you know I was doing dry January ! This is just what I needed. Thank you sir !

[@angelaphan383]

Had leftover coconut cream from holiday coquito so the Placebo was perfect for Dry January!

[@Taev-.]

It's been a while since the video was posted, but I wanted to mention a little tip to anybody who couldn't find properly tart cherry juice for their Cherry Zip. Mine was quite lackluster in terms of tartness, but I found that muddling in one or two frozen cherries, and around 8 frozen cranberries (either thawed in room temp or quickly in a microwave if you didn't plan ahead) works to fill in the gaps left by a lackluster juice.

[@Ghostrider03Z]

Just made a little thyme off - amazing! The thyme really comes through

[@Jletsgetalong]

You are so entertaining! Plus you have great content!!!

[@johnmangels2942]

Love the mocktails and the merch. That beanie is mine!

[@Pursuitofhealthwealthhappiness]

OMG YESSSSS! I needed this video - day 13 LET'S GO PEOPLE!

[@masonrudesheim9098]

3:55 The A Little Thyme Off with gin added in would be called a Back On the Clock I would think

[@gyangearon8729]

Hah, I should have come by your channel a few weeks ago. Wife and I could have tried these during dry Jan :)

[@bluetopazy1249]

ive been waitning for another good mocktail video

[@Mark_Wood]

To the store!

[@holwu]

Hi Anders, as a twist to the Cherry Zip: instead of regular black tea use a smoked black tea.

[@sphinx1017]

Yay! I'm off the booze. Look forward to trying these.

[@AndersErickson]

Hope you enjoy these! Cheers!

[@theawkwardexpert]

Yes! Thank you for the mocktails and the fashion show :)

[@AndersErickson]

Cheers Rachael!

[@VenusaurPO]

Is the original Cherry Zip just with Kombucha instead of tea? My sister doesn't drink but likes Kombucha and fancy drinks so I'm curious for her haha

[@AndersErickson]

The recipe I made with kombucha was: 1.5 oz. kombucha 1.5 oz. tart Cherry 1/2 oz. orgeat 1/4 tsp. chili flakes Give it a shot - see what you think. Cheers!

[@smokeytiki3185]

Those all sound yummy. Thank you.

[@meglincolnsquarepotterystu1522]

I feel like your merch would be a BIG hit with the bear community!

[@asterisque716]

Can you share the recipe for the one with kombucha

[@mr.smoker4147]

I was just looking for some good mocktails! Just started the video and I know it is going to be good because The Placebo looks amazing.

[@AndersErickson]

Cheers! You're going to love it! 🍍 🥥

[@grownMantalkin]

Anders, your videos are a blessing and an inspiration to bartenders like me. Thank you.

[@AndersErickson]

Appreciate the kind words, Montel. Cheers to you!

[@greybeard27]

I've been making a few Placebos, very nice! Just came back to say the cinnamon is important, I have just made one and forgot the cinnamon, spent 5 minutes thinking "this isn't right, I'm missing something".

[@ambientdjs2938]

Love the creativity!

[@Cale_E]

Loving the logo! Going to grab a hat!

[@samuelcho820]

I'm super excited about the merch! I do miss the old intro though..... That old montage and music got me through COVID and my first bartending job (:

[@AndersErickson]

Love this. That montage got me through Covid too!

[@calvincassens3787]

@@AndersErickson I miss the old intro too!

[@d_budd7]

Holy cow that cherry zip looks amazing

[@netanelizhakov7592]

Can't wait to try them all!❤

[@jimmwagner]

Coffee and hoodies? I am going to have to rework my budget :)

[@michaelmccormick5800]

A thought and a question , I wouldn’t mind a video of a group of cocktails that use a Liqueur as the base(Chartreuse swizzle). And I know in the Essentials Video you cover Vermouth needs to be refrigerated but I wonder if other items need specific care and storage? Maybe an Organization (labels, location,…) and Storage ( refrigerator, shelf, no light, container) Video of liquor, liqueur and syrups?

[@Anne-po99]

Thank you for sharing.

[@itspaaach]

Could I make the first drink in a blender and in a bigger amount for multiple people? And is the crushed ice necessary or does normal cubed ice work?

[@polishprince7219]

if you add gin to the second cocktail maybe call it "Doing Thyme"?

[@AndersErickson]

Love this!