French 75 Kombucha Mocktail
The name of the French 75 cocktail is derived from the 75 millimeter field gun that was rapidly used by the French in World War One. Despite its intimidating name, the drink is actually quite approachable, containing gin, fresh lemon juice, sugar, and Champagne.
This French 75 Kombucha Mocktail is a non-alcoholic version of the French 75 cocktail based around lemon kombucha for a drink that has a vibrant appearance, with a hazy, golden color that is effervescent with bubbles. The aroma is a delightful blend of fresh citrus, with a subtle hint of sweetness and a tangy note that awakens the senses.
Upon tasting, the drink delivers a crisp and tangy burst of lemon, balanced perfectly with the effervescence of the kombucha. The slight acidity of the drink gives it a pleasant zing that awakens the palate, making it even more refreshing and satisfying to drink. The drink finishes with a crisp and clean aftertaste, leaving a dry, pleasant tang on the tongue.
What is a Kombucha mocktail?
A mocktail is similar to a cocktail, but without the alcohol. A Kombucha Mocktail features kombucha as a wash in the base of the mocktail.
There are several reasons people choose not to drink such as health, religious, or a personal preference. Kombucha mocktails are great option for those who want to enjoy a satisfying social beverage while abstaining from alcohol. Just because mocktails do not have alcohol doesn’t mean they have to be sweet, boring or unsatisfying.
Kombucha mocktails, in addition to being delicious and satisfying, also contain additional health benefits. Apart from omitting alcohol, additional benefits come from the probiotics and antioxidants in the kombucha, especially in fruit flavored kombuchas.
Click here to read more about how to make great mocktails.
Equipment to make a French 75 Kombucha Mocktail
Cocktail Shaker: A cocktail shaker or mixing glass to quickly and thoroughly combine and chill the ingredients. I have a basic 2-tin one, an upgrade to an OXO Insulated one and recently bought an Elevated Craft Shaker during their Kickstarter campaign (affiliate links ↗).
Cocktail Glasses: Cocktail glasses for serving your mocktails. For this French 75 kombucha mocktail recipe I prefer to use champagne flutes
Ingredients to make a French 75 Kombucha Mocktail
Lemon Kombucha: Lemon Kombucha forms the base of the drink and provides a delicious, effervescent foundation on which to build your mocktail.
Lemon Juice: Lemon juice adds a bright and tangy flavor with a subtle acidity and tartness to mocktails and is used to balance out the sweetness of the other ingredients and provide a refreshing finish. Lemon juice also adds a slight texture to mocktails, which helps make them feel more substantial and satisfying.
Over-steeped Tea: Oversteeped black tea mimics the “drying” effect and causes astringency of ethanol due to its naturally-occurring tannins. Oversteeped tea can also add bitterness to a drink, making it a readily-available alternative to cocktail bitters that use harder-to-find herbs. Here is the recipe for over-steeped tea.
Habanero Tincture: A habanero tincture, made from vodka or vinegar is used in mocktails to add a touch of heat which can create a similar sensation to the “burn” of alcohol. Habanero peppers contain capsaicin, a compound that stimulates the same nerves as alcohol, giving the drink a more complex and satisfying flavor profile. Here is the recipe to make a habanero tincture.
Lemon: for ganish
How to make a French 75 Kombucha Mocktail
Mix and Chill: Mix the main ingredients with ice until thoroughly and chilled
Fill Glasses: Divide the chilled mixture evenly between the glasses and top with lemon kombucha
Garnish and Enjoy: Garnish each glass with piece of lemon rind. Cheers!
French 75 Kombucha Mocktail Recipe
Yield: 2 mocktails • Active time: 5 minutes • Total time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
1 bottle lemon kombucha
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice, 3 tsp
3 drops Spruce Tip Extract
3 drops over-steeped Tea
4-5 drops Habanero Tincture
Ice for mixing and serving
Lemon rind (for garnish)
Instructions:
Mix: In a cocktail shaker over ice, combine lemon juice, 3 drops each of spruce tip extract, over-steeped tea and habanero tincture. Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds until thoroughly combined chilled
Fill: Strain the chilled mixture into a champagne flute
Float: Add kombucha to the champagne glass, allowing everything to mix together but retaining the kombucha’s effervescent fizziness
Garnish: Use fresh lemon to make a garnish for each glass. See tips & tricks below for detailed instructions.
Enjoy: Enjoy your French 75 Kombucha Mocktail!
Tips & Tricks:
Rimming glasses: To sugar rim a cocktail glass, you will need a shallow dish or plate and some granulated sugar. First, moisten the rim of the glass to help the sugar stick. I like to use a piece of cut fruit that complements the drink such as lemon or lime.
Dip the moistened rim of the glass into a thin layer of sugar spread evenly on a plate, rotating the glass gently to ensure that the sugar adheres evenly to the rim.
Once the rim is coated with sugar, gently tap the glass to remove any excess sugar that may be loose. Allow the glass to sit while you make the drink to allow the sugar time to set.
Garnish: To make a mocktail garnish from a lemon peel, use a sharp paring knife to cut off a small strip of lemon peel, ensuring that you only take the colored part of the peel and not the bitter white pith. Take the strip of peel and gently twist it to release some of the lemon oils over the drink to enhance the flavor of your mocktail.
For a twist, use the paring knife to cut a small notch in one end of the peel and then twist it into a spiral shape. Or cut the into small strips, squares or other shapes. Place the garnish on the rim of your mocktail glass or drop it into the drink. The lemon peel will add a subtle citrus flavor and aroma to your mocktail and also adding an attractive visual element that makes your drink look more enticing.
Nutrition Information:
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