Cooking Class: Winter Garden Mocktail

Kelsey Call, event manager for Weber State University’s Advancement division, said she’s “obsessed” with her garden.

At work, she plans major university events, such as the recent grand opening of the rebuilt McKay Education Building. At home, whether picking weeds, nurturing her lemon tree, or checking on her honey bees clustering for warmth in the winter, she has a goal to touch dirt every day.

“Everyone says,‘Go touch grass.’ No, touch the dirt,” she said.

Call also enjoys entertaining guests and experimenting in the kitchen. Unsurprisingly, she went to the garden for inspiration when asked for a mocktail recipe she would make for a winter party.

She uses a simple syrup she creates, alongside lemon juice, orange juice, sparkling water, and sparkling apple cider, for the recipe. She garnishes it with smoked rosemary, which grows in her garden year-round. Subbing gin for cider makes it a cocktail.

The bold flavors and the rosemary’s warmth make it a nourishing drink for the cold weather.

“You get that rosemary essence in your nose, too,” she said.

Her husband and unofficial taste tester, Stuart, has given the drink his thumbs up. Now, she’s excited to serve it for friends and family during the colder part of the new year.

Simple Syrup Recipe

Three to five servings

Ingredients

• 4 to 5 four-inch sprigs of rosemary
• 1/2 C honey
• 1/2 C water

1. Combine water and honey in a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat, stirring until the honey is dissolved and thoroughly combined with the water (don’t boil vigorously).
2. Add fresh rosemary sprigs to syrup.
3. Remove from heat and let mixture steep for 45 minutes (or longer for bolder flavor). Taste periodically to prevent it from becoming too strong.
4. Strain the syrup through a mesh strainer into a clean jar or bottle to remove sprigs.
5. Discard solids, and let syrup cool in the refrigerator before use in the recipe.

Mocktail Recipe

Makes 1 drink

Ingredients 

• 3/4 oz lemon juice (half of a medium-sized lemon)
• 1 tbsp orange juice (one medium-sized orange)
• 2 tbsp simple syrup (see recipe below)
• 1/2 C sparkling water
• 1/2 C sparkling apple cider
• 2-inch sprig of rosemary (optional)

1.  Fill a highball or festive stemmed glass 3/4 full with ice.
2. In a separate glass cup, add orange juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Stir gently to combine ingredients.
3. Strain the mix into your ice-filled glass and top with sparkling apple cider and sparkling water. Stir gently.
4. Set rosemary sprig on a heat-resistant surface in a well-ventilated area. Using a kitchen torch or lighter, lightly smoke the top of the sprig just enough to release aromatics. Exercise caution to not catch the sprig on fire.
5. Place rosemary sprig into your glass and enjoy.

For a sweeter drink, add more syrup. For a tarter drink, add more lemon juice.

Make it a cocktail by mixing the ingredients in step two with 1.5 oz. of gin in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds until well chilled, and then strain the mix into an ice-filled glass.