Tuesday, Jun. 30, 2009

Summer standout drinks minus alcohol

Now that it's officially summer -- and finally hot -- it's time to think about refreshing lemonades and cool nonalcoholic cocktails.

"In the world of cocktails, we've been going through a rebirth over the past several years," says mixologist Natalie Bovis-Nelsen, whose Web site www.theliquidmuse.com has recipes and cocktail advice.

"People are thinking about cocktails more like chefs do with food. We are looking at freshly squeezed juices versus pre-bottled mixes, and at organic ingredients."

It's also important for hosts to offer nonalcoholic options, says Bovis-Nelsen. Her book "Preggatinis: Mixology for the Mom-to-Be" (GPP Life, $16.95) has recipes and ideas for drinks both with and without alcohol.

"It's nice to offer (guests) something in a beautiful glass, that's colorful and festive, tastes great and ultimately makes them feel included in the fun," says Bovis-Nelsen.

Here are two of her recipes.

BETSY ROSS

1 lime wedge

Watermelon cocktail rimmer or sugar

3 ounces alcohol-free chardonnay

1 ounce white cranberry juice

1/2 ounce lime juice

3/4 ounce blueberry syrup

Garnish:

2 blueberries with 1 small white marshmallow in between on a skewer

Rub the rim of a martini glass with a lime wedge. Holding the glass upside down, dip the rim of the glass into the watermelon cocktail rimmer or sugar. Set aside.

Pour the chardonnay, white cranberry juice and lime juice into a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake vigorously. Gently strain the mixture into the rimmed martini glass. Drizzle the blueberry syrup into the drink, allowing it to settle at the bottom of the glass. Place the fruit-and-marshmallow skewer across the red-rimmed martini glass. Serves 1.

You can make your own lemonade ice cubes or use regular ice cubes.

WATERMELON COOLER

6 leaves mint

1/2 ounce lemon juice

1 heaping teaspoon powdered sugar

Lemonade ice cubes

4 ounces freshly juiced watermelon

2 ounces lemon-lime soda

Watermelon wedge

In the bottom of a tall glass, muddle the mint, lemon juice and sugar. Fill with lemonade ice cubes, add watermelon juice and top with lemon-lime soda. Garnish with a watermelon wedge.