An alcohol-free martini must be bold in character, layered in flavor and clean on the finish. It’s a sipping mocktail that must engage and interest your palate over time. With a simple list of ingredients, this Spiced Apricot Alcohol-Free Martini meets all the criteria for a fabulous pre-dinner drink.
The juicy apricot and warm chai spices are all lifted by the fresh lime, keeping this mocktail balanced and not overly sweet. The ginger syrup brings a subtle aromatic heat to the drink, adding another dimension of spice to the chai.
If you’d like to sweeten the drink further, use agave syrup, honey or unflavored simple syrup to adjust to your taste. Don’t increase the amount of ginger syrup unless you are happy to increase the ginger spice as well.
So, don’t be shy – grab that shaker and mix up a glass of this Spiced Apricot and Alcohol-Free Martini tonight!
Ingredients
- 1 oz. (30 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice (approx. 1 lime)
- 2 oz. (60 ml) apricot juice
- ½ oz. (15 ml) chai tea, cooled
- ¼ oz. (7.5 ml) ginger syrup (see below)
For the ginger syrup:
- 4 oz. (120 ml) water
- 4 oz. (120 g) sugar
- 2 oz. (60 g) ginger root, peeled and finely chopped
To garnish:
- Dried apricot
- Maraschino cherry (or cocktail cherry)
Equipment
- Heavy-bottomed saucepan with lid
- Wooden spoon
- Fine-mesh sieve
- Kettle
- Mug
- Citrus juicer
- Jigger or measuring spoons
- Shaker
- Martini glass
Instructions
- Start by making the ginger syrup.
- Into a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, add the water, sugar and finely chopped ginger.
- Stir frequently until the sugar has dissolved.
- Bring the liquid to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low.
- Put the lid onto the saucepan and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Take the saucepan off the heat, and leave the ginger to infuse for another 15 minutes.
- Pass the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the solids, and store the liquid in an air-tight container in the fridge until you are ready to use.
- Next, make the chai tea.
- Pour recently boiled (but not boiling) water over the chai tea bag and leave to infuse for 5 minutes.
- Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Finally, assemble the mocktail.
- Into a cocktail shaker, add the lime juice, apricot juice, chai tea and ginger syrup.
- Throw in a handful of ice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until the outside of the shaker is very cold.
- Strain into a martini glass.
- Garnish with a dried apricot and a maraschino cherry.
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Spiced Apricot Alcohol-Free Martini FAQ
How long can I keep the leftover ginger syrup last?
The ginger syrup can last for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge, or up to 2 months in the freezer.
Can I make this mocktail ahead of time?
It is recommended to shake the drink just before you are ready to serve, but you prepare the ginger syrup and chai tea ahead of time.
Is this drink spicy?
The ginger syrup will add some warming cooking spice to the drink, but it is not overwhelmingly spicy.
Can I substitute the apricot juice with another type of fruit juice?
Yes, you can experiment with other types of fruit juice like peach, pineapple, pear or apple. However, the recipe may need some adjustments to balance the flavors.
Can I omit the garnish?
Yes, the garnish is optional, but it does add a nice touch to the presentation of the drink.
Can I use ground ginger instead of fresh ginger?
It is recommended to use fresh ginger for this recipe to provide a stronger and more authentic flavor to the syrup and final mocktail. However, you could experiment with ground ginger, but you may need to adjust the amount used as it can be more potent than fresh ginger.
Can I use a different type of tea instead of chai tea?
The chai tea in this recipe is a shortcut to impart a spiced character to the drink. You could substitute the chai with another type of tea but the flavor profile of the mocktail would change.
Can I use a different type of glass for this drink?
Yes, this recipe calls for the Spiced Apricot Alcohol-Free Martini to be served in a martini glass. However, you could pour it over ice and serve ‘on the rocks’ in a rocks glass or tumbler instead.
Can I use fresh apricots instead of apricot juice?
Yes, you can use fresh, ripe apricots instead of apricot juice. You will need to blend the apricots with some water to make a juice-like consistency. Keep in mind that this may affect the flavor of the drink.
Is this drink alcoholic?
No, this mocktail does not contain any alcohol. However, the maraschino cherry garnish will have been soaked in cherry liqueur. If you want a completely alcohol-free drink either omit the maraschino garnish or replace with a normal cocktail cherry that hasn’t been soaked in any alcohol.
Did you make this? Tag me @mightymocktail or use the hashtag #mightymocktail!