You close on the dot at 5:00 p.m. just as orders for happy hour drinks are coming in. Instead of rushing home to change your office look and rush across town to your favorite bar, treat yourself to something special and sophisticated at home. Make it a get-together and invite your co-workers for an after-work drink to start the weekend off. Don’t forget the apps! Here are seven simple vegan cocktails and mocktails to get you started.
GTS live food
1 Watermelon Wonder Maria Mocktail from GTS Living Foods
A high-quality kombucha makes for an excellent mocktail – the bubbly, spicy drinking experience encourages you to swallow instead of massive swallows. Just stir some aloe and ginger juice into your watermelon-flavored kombucha and you have an equally refined drink. Take a tip from this recipe and dip the rim of your glass in sea salt and cayenne pepper for an extra kick before garnishing it with lime and coriander.
Get the recipe here
Real housemothers
2 Dirty (or not) Shirley from Real House Moms
It might not be your first choice anymore, but this old-school concoction of lemonade and grenadine always triggers a calming wave of nostalgia. If you’re drinking the kid’s version, add large ice cubes to a glass and fill it with an ounce of grenadine, eight ounces of lemon-lime soda (like 7-Up or Sprite), and as many maraschino cherries as your 12. on -year-old self-desires. For the dirty version, add an ounce of vodka or follow this recipe from Real House Moms.
Get the recipe here
Om ghosts
3 Chocolate martini from Om Spirits
For the chocolate connoisseur, what could be better than a luxurious chocolate drink with spikes? Shake soy cream, chocolate liquor, and vodka over ice and your night will get exponentially better. Thank you very much.
Get the recipe here
The edgy vegetables
4th Vegan Whiskey Sour from The Edgy Veg
Traditional whiskey sours include whipped egg whites, but this veganized version replicates the drink’s silky-smooth texture by swapping aquafaba (whipped chickpea brine – just trust it). Whether you’re using Jim Beam or an aged single malt variety, this drink will go smoothly.
Get the recipe here
Dora’s table
5 Strawberry-frozen margarita from Dora’s Table
Frozé (also known as Frozen Rosé) has been a summer trend for years and we just discovered that turning it into a margarita can make it even better. Sip this expressive cocktail and pretend you’re on your Cancun vacation that you had to cancel.
Get the recipe here
The continental
6th Coconut old fashioned by Kat Odell
Simple cinnamon syrup and coconut water make the old-fashioned look new. With just five ingredients (two of which are side dishes), you’ll be shocked at how many flavors pass over your tongue on the way down. Trust us, you will want to make this your new house cocktail.
Get the recipe here
Seedlip
7th Seedlip Spice and Ginger Mocktail from Seedlip
Seedlip is a UK-based line of distilled non-alcoholic spirits that brought the mocktail trend to mainstream cocktail menus. While mocktails of the past typically left out the alcohol, seedlip-based beverages are built around these spirits to deliver the same nuanced taste experience – without the fuss or hangover. This three-ingredient recipe combines Seedlip Spice with Ginger Ale over ice. Serve with a slice of orange and you’re ready for happy hour.
Get the recipe here
You can find more vegan happy hour recipes here:
The perfect vegan amaretto sour
Creamy vegan pina colada mocktails
Vegan sweet orange agave margarita
Tanya Flink is a digital editor at VegNews, and a writer and runner based in Orange County, California.
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