Are you craving something creamy, but could do without the calories? I’ve got you covered with this pineapple, coconut, and cardamom non-alcoholic martini. A harmonious blend of vibrant pineapple and velvety coconut milk, all infused with the warm, spicy aroma of cardamom.
Naturally sweet, you won’t need an excuse to indulge in this luscious delight.
Before you whip up a glass of Tropical Bliss, a few notes about the coconut milk:
- For this recipe, I use a full-fat coconut milk straight from a can – the type you cook with in curries. It has a higher coconut cream to milk ration than the dairy alternative drinks which adds a nice richness to the mocktail.
- When you open the can, you’ll notice that the coconut cream may have separated from the water. Mix them together well before infusing the cardamom. Don’t worry if it’s a little lumpy when it goes into the saucepan, the cream will become silky smooth once it’s touched a little heat.
- Any leftover cardamom-infused coconut milk can be kept in the fridge in a glass bottle or airtight container for up to 3 days. I like to add it to my morning coffee for a spicy treat.
Ingredients
- 2 oz. (60 ml) pineapple juice
- 2 oz. (60 ml) cardamom-infused coconut milk (see below)
- ½ oz. (15 ml) orange juice
- ½ oz. (15 ml) freshly squeezed lime
- Pineapple slice, and/or ground nutmeg to garnish (optional)
For the cardamom infused coconut milk:
- 7 oz. (210 ml) full-fat coconut milk
- 3 cardamom pods
Equipment
- Small heavy-bottomed saucepan with lid
- Pestle and mortar (or the back end of a wooden spoon)
- Citrus juicer
- Fine-mesh sieve
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger or measuring spoons
- Hand grater for nutmeg garnish (optional)
- Martini glass
Instructions
- First, start with the cardamom-infused coconut milk.
- Crush the cardamom pods gently with a pestle and mortar (or the back end of a wooden spoon) to release their flavor and aroma.
- Add the coconut milk and cardamom pods to the saucepan.
- Heat the milk over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent it from catching on the bottom of the pan.
- Bring the milk to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low for 5 minutes.
- Take the saucepan off the heat, cover, and let the spice infuse with the coconut milk for 30 minutes while it cools.
- Pass the milk through a fine-mesh sieve to separate the cardamom pods from the rest of the liquid.
- Store in a glass bottle or airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Now, assemble the mocktail.
- Add the pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice, and cardamom-infused coconut milk to a cocktail shaker.
- Throw in a generous handful of ice and shake well for 15-20 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker feels extremely cold.
- Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a pineapple slice and/or a sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg.
Variations: Experiment with infusing different spices like cinnamon or nutmeg into the coconut milk for slight variations on the mocktail. Both work really well with the tropical flavors in this drink.
Similar Mocktails
If you liked Tropical Bliss, check out:
Pineapple, Coconut and Cardamom Non-Alcoholic Martini FAQ
Can I use ground cardamom instead of cardamom pods?
Yes, you can use ground cardamom instead of cardamom pods but the flavor won’t be as pronounced. When infusing the coconut milk, replace the pods with one teaspoon of ground cardamom instead.
Can I use regular milk instead of coconut milk?
Yes, you can substitute regular milk instead of coconut milk in this recipe. However, you’ll find that the mocktail isn’t as creamy and it will lose the tropical flavor characteristic of the coconut.
How long does it take to infuse the cardamom pods with the coconut milk?
You’ll need to simmer the coconut milk on medium-low heat for 5 minutes before letting it infuse off the heat for another 30 minutes.
Can I store the cardamom-infused coconut milk for longer than 3 days?
It is recommended to use the cardamom-infused coconut milk within 3 days to ensure maximum freshness and flavor.
How can I make this mocktail sweeter?
You can make this mocktail sweeter by adding your sweetener of choice. Simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water), honey or agave syrup would all work well with the tropical flavors of the recipe.
Can I omit the nutmeg garnish?
Yes, you can omit the nutmeg garnish if you like. It adds an extra layer of spice and a nice presentation texture to the top of the drink, but is not necessary. The pineapple slice works well as a garnish on its own.
Did you make this? Tag me @mightymocktail or use the hashtag #mightymocktail!