Recipe for a Citrus and Whiskey Mocktail

When the weather warms up, you'll need something cool and refreshing to combat the hotter temperatures and blistering mugginess of the day. Fortunately, citrus and spirits go well together, and when you add some ice, you wind up with something magical and delicious. For our money, we prefer a smooth whiskey-alternative (like Mashville from Seir Hill). The classic citrus and whiskey mashup is a whiskey sour, but what if you want to add a bit of extra zest?

If you're looking for something sweet, tangy, and tasty enough to share with friends and family, might we suggest a citrus and whiskey with plums and sage mocktail? When you blend the right alcohol-free whiskey with these ingredients, you can sit back, sip, and enjoy the afternoon without the risk of getting drunk or experiencing a hangover.

A Brief History of Blending Whiskey and Citrus

To understand why these two ingredients are often blended together, we have to go back to the days of exploration, when massive ships roamed the high seas in search of new worlds and resources. In most cases, sailors would be at sea for months at a time, meaning they were susceptible to diseases like scurvy - aka a lack of vitamin C.

Fortunately, citrus fruits like lemons and limes don't spoil very quickly, so sailors could ration them during their voyages and stave off the worst conditions. Typically, a ship would have lots of fruits onboard to ensure that everyone stayed as healthy as they could (for the time period). Another staple of ship life was alcohol, with rum and whiskey often the spirit of choice for many salty dogs.

So, it made sense for sailors to mix the two and make an early version of the whiskey sour we all know and love today. The first official mention of such a cocktail was in the Jerry Thomas Bartender's Guide of 1862, and since then, mixologists around the world have added their own flair to the recipe.

What You'll Need to Make a Citrus and Whiskey With Plums and Sage Mocktail

Although lemon juice and whiskey are okay by themselves, it's not something that anyone would claim is their "favorite" drink. Fortunately, mocktails don't have to be boring, especially when you have such delicious non-alcoholic whiskey on hand. By adding maple syrup, plums, and sage, this recipe elevates the traditional blend and turns it into something unique and chic.

All you need for this recipe is a cocktail muddler and shaker. From there, you only need a rocks glass or tumbler and lots of ice. Depending on the season, you may be able to find lots of plums and sage leaves, meaning it's easy to double or triple this recipe if you have friends over.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Mashville Non-Alcoholic Whiskey
• 1/2 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
• 1/2 oz Pure Maple Syrup
• 2 Plum Wedges
• 2 Sage Leaves

How to Make a Citrus and Whiskey With Plums and Sage Mocktail

When making virgin cocktails like this, the secret to having an amazing experience is to use the freshest ingredients possible. If your plums and sage leaves are too old, they'll make the beverage too sweet (or sour, depending on if they're spoiled or not). On the flip side, using unripe plums can make the mocktail a bit too tangy, so there's a bit of a balancing act.

Also, while you can use bottled lemon juice, we highly recommend squeezing a ripe lemon if possible. This way, the citrus will wake up the Mashville and plum and tickle your tastebuds as it goes down. Concentrated lemon juice is a bit too much like floor cleaner for our tastes.

The first step to making this mocktail is to muddle the plum, sage, and syrup. Pour the muddled mess into a cocktail shaker with the lemon juice and Mashville (and ice). Shake vigorously until cold, then strain the liquid into a fresh glass with one or two ice cubes inside. We recommend garnishing this beverage with a slice of lemon or putting an extra sage leaf on top. You could add a plum wedge, but that's a bit too much plum for our tastes.

Variations of a Citrus and Whiskey With Plums and Sage Mocktail

This recipe is already so unique that it's hard to do any variations without changing its entire flavor profile. That said, here are a couple of ways to alter the recipe slightly and get something just as delicious. You can also check out other mocktails using Mashville or browse our entire recipe catalog. Feel free to sample our rum Biscane or our Tequila Durangold as well.

• Use Blood Oranges - If lemon juice is a bit too "basic" for you, you can upgrade to blood oranges. Combining these fruits with plums creates something thick and decadent, and the resulting liquid is almost pitch black. This option works well if you like a bolder cocktail or you're making drinks for a gothic-themed party.
• Use Honey - Maple syrup has a very unique flavor that blends perfectly with Mashville. However, for a lighter and more delicate palate, you can swap the syrup for honey. Feel free to use flavored honey, too (i.e., blackberry). This way, you get a more complex blend of tastes and textures for a richer sipping experience.

The great thing about blending citrus and whiskey is that there are virtually endless possibilities to make a great mocktail. Plus, since Mashville has the bold flavor of barrel-aged whiskey, you get all the taste with none of the regret. Go forth and imbibe!