Taste Challenge with Brita Boost for Dry January

As part of Dry January Brita were keen to show that you can get great tasting drinks without the alcohol. As a regular cocktail drinker I have to say I was dubious! So, off to London I went with Charlie to see if Brita and the guys at Mixology Studios could change our minds.

After a light snack we were shown to our cocktail station for the evening where we would be mixing and shaking our own cocktails. I was a little apprehensive to say the least, I am a good cocktail drinker but not the best mixologist and have struggled with a cocktail shaker in the past. Would I show myself up? Was there a chance I could send my ingredients crashing to the floor? First up was a fairly simple drink; the Hot Toddy. Just a bit of adding and stirring seemed like a good start.

Hot Toddy

1 wedge of lemon
1 star anise
3 cloves
20ml honey
10ml ginger syrup
1 cinnamon stick
100ml hot Brita filtered water

Squeeze the lemon wedge into a glass then add all the remaining ingredients. Stir until the honey and syrup is dissolved. Serve with a cinnamon stick and a star anise.

I left the wedge of lemon in my drink which gave it a lovely tang and the gentle warmth from the cloves worked really well. Mine was a little weak which reminded me it didn’t have alcohol but, next time, I’ll add more syrup and lemon.

Elderflower Julep

1 lemon wedge
handful of mint
25ml elderflower cordial
25ml apple juice
50ml Brita filtered water

Squeeze the lemon wedge into a julep tin, twist and clap the mint in your hands before adding to the tin. Add the rest of the ingredients with crushed ice and churn. Serve with a mint sprig and two straws.

Did you know that cocktails are usually served with two straws because they used to be so expensive that people always shared? I loved this fact! This was a pretty drink and the ice made it taste and feel like it’s alcoholic sister.

Lavender Sour

Pinch of dried lavender
12.5ml coconut sugar syrup
5ml maple syrup
50ml lemon juice
50ml Brita filtered water
Dash of lavender syrup

Add all the ingredients except the lavender syrup to a Boston glass and shake with lots of ice. Strain into a short tumbler and serve topped with the lavender syrup.

This was my favourite of the night, it had everything going on! Floral notes from the lavender that were matched by the coconut followed by the sweetness from the syrup and then the tartness of the lemon. I definitely didn’t miss the alcohol in this one and can’t wait to try it at home.

Pink Champagne

124g sugar
75ml grapefruit juice
125ml Brita filtered water
330ml ginger beer
75ml orange juice
87.5ml grenadine

Add the sugar and water to a bowl and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add all the other ingredients with lots of ice. Stir until chilled and serve in champagne flutes.

This was far too sweet, even for me and my ridiculously sweet tooth. It is more like a summer punch than a pink champagne but a lovely idea for something different with a bit of fizz.

We had a great night and I loved trying cocktails that wouldn’t give me a dreadful hangover the next morning. I woke up refreshed from all the freshly filtered water and can’t wait to re-create them at home.

Let me know in the comments below if you try any of these or any other recipes. I’d love to know what you think and how you are coping with staying dry this January.

Keep your eyes peeled for a Brita related giveaway this weekend to help stay hydrated in January and beyond.