Do you have a sweet tooth? This alcohol-free lemon curd martini is the perfect dessert substitute – for those evenings when you’d rather not tuck into a pudding but are craving something sweet and slightly sinful.
Pineapple juice makes up the base of this mocktail, but the freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon curd shine through as its primary flavors.
To impart the rich vanilla taste, vanilla bean paste (gloriously dotted with specs of real vanilla seeds) is used instead of vanilla essence or extract.
Almond milk provides a creaminess to the drink without it getting too heavy. For an extra special treat, try replacing it with pouring cream or full-fat coconut milk instead.
Serves 1
Preparation time: 5 mins
Ingredients
- 2 oz. (60 ml) pineapple juice
- ½ oz. (15 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice (approx. ½ lemon)
- ½ oz. (15 ml) almond milk
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) lemon curd
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) vanilla bean paste
- Ice
- Lemon wheel to garnish (optional)
Equipment
- Jigger or measuring spoons
- Citrus juicer
- Shaker
- Martini glass
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients into the cocktail shaker.
- Throw in a handful of ice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until the outside of the shaker is extremely cold.
- Strain into a martini glass.
- Garnish with a wheel of lemon.
Similar Mocktails
If you liked Luscious Lemon, check out:
Alcohol-Free Lemon Curd Martini FAQ
Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
No. Traditionally, lemon curd is made with eggs and butter. However, you can easily modify the recipe to make it vegan-friendly by using a vegan alternative lemon curd.
Does this recipe contain gluten?
The thing that you’d need to check is the ingredients of the lemon curd that you are using. Typically, lemon curd is made from lemons, sugar, eggs and butter – all gluten-free. However, certain brands might use additional ingredients containing gluten. It’s recommended to read the product label carefully before mixing the drink.
Can I substitute the lemon curd with fresh lemon juice?
No. This recipe calls for both lemon curd and fresh lemon juice. The lemon curd adds a creamy sweetness while the lemon juice brings freshness and tartness. It’s not recommended to substitute the lemon curd for more lemon juice.
Where can I find lemon curd?
Lemon curd can be found with the jams, jellies and conserves section within most grocery stores or online. You can also make it at home using simple ingredients like lemon juice, sugar, eggs and butter.
Can I use a different garnish instead of a lemon wheel?
Yes, you can get creative with your garnish. If you prefer, you could use a lemon twist or an edible flower instead.
Can I adjust the sweetness of the martini?
Yes, you can adjust the sweetness of this martini by increasing or decreasing the amount of lemon curd used in the recipe. If it’s too sweet for your taste, simply half the amount of curd used. If you’d like a sweeter mocktail, you could add more lemon curd or use an extra sweetener in the form of simple syrup, honey or agave nectar too.
Do I need a cocktail shaker to make this martini?|
A cocktail shaker is recommended to properly mix and chill the ingredients. However, if you don’t have one, you could use a tightly sealed jar or container instead. You can also use a bowl filled with ice to stir the liquid until cool too. These methods will take slightly longer than a shaker to reach the desired temperature, but will achieve the same results in the end.
Can I make a larger batch of this martini?
Yes, you can easily scale up the ingredients in this recipe to make more servings. Simply multiply the ingredients and use a larger shaker (or shake in batches) to accommodate the increased volume.
Can I make this martini in advance?
It’s best to make this martini fresh, just before serving. The texture and taste of the lemon curd may change if prepared too far in advance.
Can I substitute vanilla bean paste with vanilla extract?
Yes. If you prefer, you can substitute the same amount of vanilla extract instead of vanilla bean paste. Vanilla bean paste tends to have a more intense and robust flavor due to the inclusion of the vanilla bean seeds. While still flavorful, vanilla extract has a more subtle and smooth taste. It’s important to note that vanilla bean paste is made with a sweetener while vanilla extract is not. You may need to adjust the sweetness of the final mocktail accordingly.
Did you make this? Tag me @mightymocktail or use the hashtag #mightymocktail!