If you buy something through my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support! See disclosure for details.

French 75 Mocktail Recipe

Servings: 1

Ingredients

JUNIPER TEA

• 1 tsp Juniper Berries

SIMPLE SYRUP:

• 1 cup Granulated Sugar

MOCKTAIL:

• 1½ oz. Juniper Tea (from above)
• 1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
• ½ oz. Simple Syrup (from above)
• 2 oz. Sparkling Grape Juice
• Lemon Twist, optional

Directions

1. Add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar to a saucepan and bring it to a boil.
2. Once boiling and the sugar has dissolved, turn off the heat and allow the syrup to cool to room temperature to thicken (about 25 minutes).
3. While the syrup is cooling, place 1 tsp of juniper berries in a tea ball infuser. Place the infuser in a mug and steep in 8 oz. of boiling water for 15 minutes. Remove infuser.
4. Fill a martini shaker ½ full with ice.
5. Add 1 oz. juniper tea, lemon juice, and ½ oz. simple syrup to the cocktail shaker and shake for 12 seconds.
6. Pour into a glass, straining ice. Top with sparkling grape juice and garnish with a lemon twist.
7. Enjoy!

French 75 Mocktail Ingredients

• Juniper Berries: A classic French 75 is made with gin and juniper is the main flavor in gin. To get the subtle herbaceous flavor, we’ll make juniper tea with berries.
• Granulated Sugar: Used to make the simple syrup. If you already have simple syrup or choose to use store-bought, you can skip the first two steps of the recipe.
• Lemon Juice: You can’t make a French 75 without lemon juice. I highly suggest fresh squeezed and you can use the lemon peel for the twist garnish.
• Sparkling Grape Juice: This is the stuff we all used to drink as kids! I try to include ingredients that are easily found, but if you prefer to use a de-alcoholized champagne, go for it. Please note that de-alcoholized beverages contain trace amounts of alcohol, which may or may not be acceptable for some people. Another less sweet option is tonic water, but you won’t get the fermentation of champagne or grape juice.

What Tools Do You Need to Make a Non-Alcoholic French 75?

• Tea Infuser | Easy way to steep and remove the juniper berries, otherwise you can strain the tea.
• Martini Shaker | I love this one because it gets the mocktail very cold and doesn’t leak. I’ve had it for years and it’s still as good as new!
• Coupe Glasses | My go-to for martinis, these glasses pull double duty for sparkling beverages and are high quality. You can also use a champagne flute if you have the space to store multiple glasses.

If you like this recipe, check out the other classic mocktail recipes below!

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. And because I am very obsessed with FTC compliance, check out my full disclaimer here.

Pin this post and save it for later!

The post French 75 Mocktail (Non-Alcoholic Cocktail) Recipe appeared first on Very Obsessed.

Jump to my Limoncello Spritz Recipe

If you buy something through my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support! See disclosure for details.

What is a Spritz?

Officially a spritz is an Italian cocktail made with Prosecco, bitters, and sparkling water. Many times a spritz is an aperitif, meant to be drunk prior to a meal, and has a lower alcohol content. The most popular spritz in recent years has been an Aperol Spritz (check out my mocktail version), but Limoncello Sprtizes have also become mainstream for those looking for something less bitter.

While lemon leans more sour rather than bitter, these days any alcoholic beverage lightened up with soda water is typically considered a spritz.

What is Limoncello?

Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur digestif, made with lemons, sugar, and alcohol and aged for several weeks. It is strong and is meant to be sipped, and served ice cold. What’s so interesting about a limoncello spritz is that a spritz is generally an aperitif, and limoncello is generally a digestif, so here you have the best of both worlds and I say drink it whenever you’d like!

I don’t tend to buy specialty liquors, I rarely go through an entire bottle, so I’ve created this recipe using lemons, sugar, and alcohol. Does this sound familiar to Limoncello ingredients? I much prefer this method because I can control how sweet the limoncello is and the quality of the alcohol.

What Tools Do You Need to Make a Limoncello Spritz?

• Fine-Mesh Strainer | This will be needed to strain the lemon peel from the simple syrup. If you don’t already have a sieve, I love this set of three in different sizes.
• Jigger | Part of any well-equipped bar.
• Glass Bottle | This recipe will be 4 oz of simple syrup. If you don’t use it all for cocktails now store the remaining in a glass bottle in the fridge. It should last one to two weeks.

Limoncello Spritz Recipe

Servings: 1

Ingredients

LEMON VANILLA SIMPLE SYRUP

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 3 large lemons
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

LIMONCELLO (INSPIRED) SPRITZ

• 1 oz vodka
• 1 oz simple syrup
• 3 oz Prosecco
• 1 oz sparkling water
• 1 lemon (for garnish)

Directions

1. Add ½ cup of lemon juice from 3 large lemons and ½ cup of granulated sugar to a saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Once the sugar has dissolved, add the vanilla and peel from the 3 lemons and reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the syrup to thicken.
3. Remove from heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature which will take about 25 minutes.
4. Once the syrup has cooled, place a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl (I like to use this measuring cup since it has a spout) and pour the syrup through leaving the lemon peel in the sieve.
5. Add ice to a glass with vodka, simple syrup, and Prosecco
6. Top with sparkling water and throw in some lemon slices for a garnish
7. Enjoy!

More Refreshing Cocktails:

Limoncello Martini

Banana Old Fashioned Recipe

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. And because I am very obsessed with FTC compliance, check out my full disclaimer here.

Pin this post and save it for later! Don’t forget to connect with me on Instagram and Pinterest!

The post Limoncello Spritz Inspired Recipe appeared first on Very Obsessed.

Jump to my Limoncello Martini Recipe

If you buy something through my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support! See disclosure for details.

Lemon Vanilla Simple Syrup

I am a huge fan of simple syrup. It’s so easy to make, and since the sugar has become a liquid during the process you never have to work about it dissolving or feeling sandy. Once you start infusing the simple syrup with other flavors there is no limit to what you can make.

When I made my gluten-free lemon loaf I realized how tricky it can be to infuse lemon flavor. For this recipe, instead of using sugar and water, I’ve replaced the water with lemon juice and the vanilla adds extra depth. This recipe makes enough for 2 cocktails, but if you have extra lemons leftover it’s easy to double or triple batch this and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks. It’s perfect for smoothies, mixed with sparkling water, or added to an afternoon tea!

What Tools Do You Need to Make a Limoncello Martini?

• Zester | Combining the zest of the lemon peel with granulated sugar makes an excellent rim.
• Coupe Glasses | These glasses are great for martinis and Champagne.
• Cocktail Shaker | I have this one because it’s got a clean design, a built-in strainer, and doesn’t leak
• Fine-Mesh Strainer | This will be needed to strain the lemon peel from the simple syrup. If you don’t already have a sieve, I love this set of three in different sizes.

Limoncello Martini Recipe

Servings: 1

Ingredients

LEMON VANILLA SIMPLE SYRUP:

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 3 large lemons
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

LIMONCELLO MARTINI:

• 2 oz vodka (I prefer Grey Goose)
• 2 oz lemon vanilla simple syrup
• ½ large lemon
• Granulated sugar, for garnish

Directions

1. Add ½ cup of lemon juice from 3 large lemons and ½ cup of granulated sugar to a saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Once the sugar has dissolved, add the vanilla and peel from the 3 lemons and reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the syrup to thicken.
3. Remove from heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature which will take about 25 minutes.
4. Zest lemon peel and mix with granulated sugar. Rub the lemon on half the rim of the glass and roll in the lemon sugar mixture.
5. Once the syrup has cooled, place a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl (I like to use this measuring cup since it has a spout) and pour the syrup through leaving the lemon peel in the sieve.
6. Fill the martini shaker halfway with ice, and add vodka, juice from ½ large lemon, and the lemon vanilla simple syrup.
7. Shake vigorously for about 12 seconds or until you get a little foam and pour it into a glass, straining the ice.
8. Enjoy!

Tip: Make sure only to use the peel, not the white pith, of the lemon in the simple syrup. The pith can be bitter and may alter the flavor of the lemon vanilla simple syrup.

More Fruit Martini Recipes:

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. And because I am very obsessed with FTC compliance, check out my full disclaimer here.

Pin this post and save it for later!

The post Limoncello Martini Recipe appeared first on Very Obsessed.

Jump to my GF DF Lemon Loaf Recipe

If you buy something through my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support! See disclosure for details.

Ingredients Needed to Make Gluten Free Dairy Free Lemon Loaf

• Dairy-Free Milk – You can use any dairy-free milk (or cow’s milk if you don’t need the recipe to be dairy-free) but I like using oat milk since it has a mild, neutral flavor and keeps the recipe nut free. This oat milk doesn’t have any gums or preservatives so it’s the store bought version I prefer. If you love almond milk I recommend my easy vanilla homemade milk.
• Egg – This lemon laof isn’t vegan because of the eggs in the recipe. People often substitute eggs with flax eggs so that may work but I haven’t tested it. If you make this recipe with a flax egg let me know how it turns out in the comments.
• Gluten-Free Flour – I have tested a lot of gluten-free flours for baking and by far my favorite is the Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour. It already includes the perfect amount of Xanthan Gum so it’s one less ingredient you need to buy, and Xanthan Gum gives gluten-free baking elasticity and stickiness naturally found in gluten. I’m not celiac but if you are, you can rest assured knowing this flour is made in a separate dedicated facility to avoid cross-contamination. If you don’t need the bread to be gluten-free you can swap this out 1 for 1 with all-purpose flour.
• Lemons – The star of the show is lemons but they come in different sizes. I used large lemons so you may need to increase the amount if yours are on the smaller size. Lemon can get lost in baking, which is why some people use lemon extract in their recipes, but I like to keep fruit au natural. Err on the side of caution and add more if you are questioning the amount.
• Vegan Butter – I’ve tried quite a few vegan butters and I really like this one for baking. It has a great flavor, comes in sticks so measures easily, and melts well.

What Tools Do You Need to Make Lemon Loaf?

• Loaf Pan | A standard 9″x5″ non-stick loaf pan is what the recipe has been tested with.
• Zester | A lot of flavor comes from the zest of the lemon, so don’t skip this step. You can use a cheese grater in a pinch though.
• Measuring Cups | This metal set stacks and has a pouring spout.
• Measuring Spoons | You won’t necessarily need this feature for this recipe, but I love these spoons because they fit into spice jars.
• Cooling Rack | Place the bread on a rack so the entire loaf cools before glazing.

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Lemon Loaf Recipe

Servings: 8

Ingredients

FOR THE BREAD:

• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup dairy-free milk
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup melted vegan butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 1¾ cups 1 to 1 gluten-free baking flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

FOR THE GLAZE:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons melted vegan butter
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line 9″x5″ loaf pan with parchment paper.
3. In a medium bowl, stir together the granulated sugar, df milk, olive oil, butter, eggs, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and zest.
4. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
6. Pour the batter into the loaf pan.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes.
8. Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. To make the glaze, combine the powdered sugar, melted vegan butter, and lemon juice. Mix until it is smooth. Add a little water to thin if it’s necessary.
10. Once the bread is cool, spread the glaze on top of the bread.
11. Slice and serve.

More Very Obsessed Citrus Recipes:

• Spiked Strawberry Lemonade
• Orange Creamsicle Martini
• Strawberry Vodka Gimlet

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. And because I am very obsessed with FTC compliance, check out my full disclaimer here.

Pin this post and save it for later!

The post Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Lemon Loaf Recipe appeared first on Very Obsessed.

Jump to my Spiked Strawberry Lemonade Cocktail Recipe

If you buy something through my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support! See disclosure for details.

Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Recipe

Lemonade also happens to be one of my mom’s favorite drinks so I grew up on this stuff. But as a typical child from the 80s with two working parents, making things from scratch was not what my mom was spending her free time doing. So the powdered drink mix was all I knew, and it was good. A little older, a little wiser, things are more convenient and I’ve learned how to make a strawberry lemonade from scratch that is quick and easy and I can control what goes into it.

The vodka gets added into the recipe separately so this is the perfect summer cocktail if you have non-drinkers in your group. The strawberry lemonade on its own is fantastic, organic where we can be but this isn’t the time to skimp on the sugar.

When I think about strawberry lemonade, I think about drinking it with someone (do people pour lemonade just for themselves?), so the recipe was developed to make a pitcher of strawberry lemonade. If you are wanting to only make one or two glasses then feel free to divide the recipe, but you’ll want a glass bottle to store the remaining strawberry simple syrup.

Enjoy!

Recommended Tools to Make Spiked Strawberry Lemonade

• Glass Pitcher | I used a mixing pitcher but I love this handled glass pitcher to make it easier to pour. And you might as well use glass to see the gorgeous cocktail.
• Fine Mesh Strainer | You’ll need a mesh strainer to make the strawberry simple syrup. You probably have one already, but if not this long handle version is useful.

Spiked Strawberry Lemonade Recipe

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3/4 cups organic sugar
• 4 1/2 cups water, divided
• 1 lb. organic strawberries
• 3 organic lemons
• 1 1/2 cups vodka
• Ice

Directions

1. Clean, hull, and cut strawberries in half
2. Add strawberries, sugar, and 1.5 cups of water to a saucepan and bring to a boil
3. While boiling, rough mash strawberries with the back of a wooden spoon (or you can use a potato masher)
4. Once strawberries are mashed, turn off the heat and let strawberries cool to room temperature and syrup to thicken; this will take about 25 minutes
5. Place a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl and pour the syrup through leaving the strawberry bits in the sieve
6. Fill the pitcher up about halfway with ice. Add remaining water, juice from the lemons (about 5 oz), strawberry simple syrup, and stir.
7. Add ice to drinking glasses, pour 2 oz of vodka, and top with strawberry lemonade

Tips:

• I like to save the strawberry bits to use in different things, strawberry bread being one of my favorite. Let me know in the comments if you’d like a recipe post for that.
• This strawberry simple syrup is a similar recipe to what is in the Strawberry Gimlet, but it’s a more robust strawberry flavor to stand up to the lemon. If you have some leftover feel free to use, but in all, you’ll want to have about 2 cups of strawberry simple syrup.
• If you don’t drink all the strawberry lemonade, transfer it to a glass bottle with lid and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days (do the sniff test to be certain though)

More summer cocktail recipes to try:

• Pimm’s Cup
• Strawberry Mint Champagne Cocktail
• Frozen Mango Margarita

If you like lemon, make sure to check out my Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Lemon Loaf Recipe

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you.  I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own.  And because I am very obsessed with FTC compliance, check out my full disclaimer here.

Pin this post and save it for later!

The post Spiked Strawberry Lemonade Cocktail Recipe appeared first on Very Obsessed.