The fragrant liquorice flavor of star anise is known to be divisive: there are those who love it and those that hate it. If you fall into the lovers camp, this alcohol-free star anise and lemongrass sour will have you in seventh heaven.
The warm, bittersweet aromatics of the star anise partnered with the citrusy ginger character of the lemongrass offer a depth of flavor to the mocktail. The structure is also in perfect balance: lightly sweetened by pineapple, and kept lively and tart with fresh lemon juice.
Star anise is believed to have many spiritual benefits, including psychic awareness and the ability to bring clarity to a situation. There is no better way to awaken your senses (and tantalize your taste buds) than shaking up a glass of this knock-out aperitif.
Ingredients
- 2 oz. (60 ml) pineapple juice
- 1 oz. (30 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice (approx. 1 lemon)
- 2 inches of lemongrass, cut into 1 inch pieces
- ½ star anise, plus another to garnish
- ½ oz. (15 ml) egg white (approx. ½ egg white)
- Ice
Equipment
- Jigger or measuring spoons
- Citrus juicer
- Scissors (or sharp knife)
- Shaker
- Muddler
- Rocks glass
Instructions
- In a shaker, muddle the lemon juice, lemongrass, and star anise.
- Add the pineapple juice and egg white.
- DRY SHAKE – without any ice – for 20 seconds to allow the egg white to froth up.
- Add some ice, and shake for a second time for a further 15-20 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a star anise.
Tip: To more easily divide the egg white, use some scissors or a sharp knife to cut the white before measuring the 15 ml.
Substitution: To make this mocktail suitable for vegans, substitute the egg white with ½ oz. (15 ml) of aquafaba (chickpea juice) to create the froth.
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Alcohol-Free Star Anise and Lemongrass Sour FAQ
Is it necessary to dry shake the mocktail without any ice?
Yes. If you want to create the trademark ‘sour’ foam, you’ll need to dry shake the ingredients without any ice to froth up the egg whites. Once you’ve done this, you can shake the ingredients again with ice to bring down the temperature of the drink.
Can I use a different type of glass to serve this mocktail?
This recipe recommends serving this mocktail in a rocks glass. However, you could serve straight up in a sour glass or martini glass if you prefer.
What can I use as a substitute for lemongrass if I can’t find it?
If you can’t find lemongrass, you could use a few strips of lemon peel or lemon zest as a substitute.
Can I make this mocktail in advance?
No. It’s best to make the mocktail fresh, as the egg white foam will lose its texture if it is left to sit for too long and the flavors will dilute with the ice.
Is this mocktail vegan-friendly?
No, this mocktail contains egg white, so it is not suitable for vegans. To make the recipe vegan-friendly, you can replace the egg white with aquafaba (chickpea juice).
Can I adjust the sweetness of this mocktail?
Yes. If you’d like to make the mocktail sweeter, you can add a sweetener such as simple syrup, honey, or agave nectar.
Where can I find star anise for the garnish?
Star anise can be found in most grocery stores or online spice shops.
Can I use ground star anise instead of whole star anise?
Yes, you can use ground star anise instead of whole star anise. Start with a large pinch (approximately ⅛ teaspoon) and adjust to your taste.
How long does it take to make this mocktail?
It shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes to make this mocktail.
Did you make this? Tag me @mightymocktail or use the hashtag #mightymocktail!