365 True Things: 126/Drinks

I'm pretty simple in my drink tastes: a chilled glass of good chardonnay suits me fine as a cocktail. (Yes, I'm a white wine kind of gal, though I do also enjoy a nice pinot noir on occasion.) In the mixed drinks department, I'm perfectly happy with a gin and tonic or an extra dry martini—and recently I've discovered negronis: one part gin, one part sweet red vermouth, one part Campari, garnished with a twist of orange peel. (I guess I'm a gin kind of gal!) As for beer, I like IPAs, ales—and I'll never turn down a black & tan.

For the next while, though, I'm laying off the alcohol, something I like to do every so often just to get recentered, regrounded. I plan to go six weeks. I remember my brother-in-law who works with addicts once mentioning that length of time as a good one for letting the system reequilibrate.

I may still have the occasional glass of wine with a friend over dinner (I think of one friend in particular here). But for the most part, I look forward to a refreshing break from alcohol.

So today, since I do enjoy a nice cocktail every so often, I thought I'd see if there were any interesting "dry" mixed drink recipes. (My standard is cranberry juice with sparkling mineral water, but that gets a bit dull as a steady diet.) I found two on the Bon Appétit website that look intriguing. Maybe I'll make 'em, maybe I won't, but it's nice to know there are some interesting alternatives to alcohol out there.

Summer Twang (makes 4)

2 cups chopped canteloupe
2 Tb honey
3 Tb apple cider vinegar
8–12 oz. club soda

Purée first three ingredients. Strain into a bowl, pressing on solids; discard solids. Divide among 4 Collins glasses filled with ice and add 2–3 oz. club soda to each. Garnish with cantaloupe wedges.

Chai Blossom (makes 4)

2 chai tea bags
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
8–12 oz. club soda
4 star anise pods
4 lemon twists

Combine tea bags and 1 cup boiling water in a small bowl; cover and let sit 8–10 minutes. Add sugar; stir to dissolve. Discard tea bags and let cool. Stir chai syrup and lime juice in a pitcher to combine. Divide among 4 rocks glasses filled with ice and add 2—3 oz. club soda to each. Garnish with anise pods and lemon twists.

I might use a little less sugar, but first: follow the recipe; then on second attempt (assuming the recipe succeeds), adjust to taste.