Mocktails with Valerie Tran

Mocktails are a hot trend in the LA party market.  Whether you’re hosting an event with under age guests, or you just have guests who don’t enjoy alcohol, having a few Mocktail recipes under your belt is a good idea.  Mocktails are simply drinks that would traditionally be made with hard spirits, but are converted to alcohol free refreshments.   

Recently we invited Valerie Tran with Value Bar Services to help us create Mocktails in our studio.  We have been closely watching the Mocktail trend this past year and thought it would be an amazing tutorial for our YouTube channel (which you can find here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClPuuzP1I73W8IkO8g3gxTQ). Her recipes were so delicious, we wanted to share them with you here. 

The first cocktail we made was my absolutely favorite. It was an Elderberry Blueberry Lime Virgin Cocktail. It was so simple to make and the ingredients aren’t hard to find.  To prep the drink, you will want to muddle the blueberries in a glass with elderflower syrup and lime juice. You want to just break up the berries, not completely pulverize them.  The idea is to release the essence without “juicing” the berries.  Pour that delightful concoction into one of our plastic margarita glasses with mineral water (we like Topo Chico) and ice.  Add mint leaves and lime garnish.  This drink was so super refreshing.  Here is the complete ingredient list below: 

Total Time: 5 Minutes

Servings: 1 Drink 

Ingredients: 

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) Elderflower Syrup (we got ours at Total Wine & More https://www.totalwine.com/accessories-more/mixers-water-soda/syrups/darbo-elderflower-syrup/p/184977233)
• 1-2 tablespoons (15-30ml) fresh lime juice (from ½ a medium lime)
• Small handful of blueberries – fresh or frozen
• 1 cup of sparkling mineral water (we like Topo Chico https://www.totalwine.com/accessories-more/mixers-water-soda/seltzer-water/topo-chico/p/142877233)
• A handful of ice
• Fresh mint, for garnish 
• Lime slices, optional for garnish 

My second favorite of her drinks was a Lavender Mint Lemonade.  This isn’t something I would have considered making prior to tasting it.  But, I have to tell you, it’s a winner.  And bonus, if you do want to serve it with alcohol, it’s excellent with a good vodka.  To make this drink, Valerie prepared lemonade and the lavender syrup ahead of time. Don’t have time or can’t find lavender?  Simple solve! You can get lavender syrup from most stores by Monin.  Find it here: https://www.monin.com/us/lavender-syrup.html?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQiArvX_BRCyARIsAKsnTxNozylEnLZ7SVK4DvB_lzT7ypd3gnUoo9POrfW2Wqiq0En6z0rnaFoaAiYdEALw_wcB or at a store near you.  And I you can’t make lemonade ahead of time, it is totally ok to use store bought. There is something really lovely about lemons and lavender together.  If you’re adventurous, here is the full recipe below: 

Total Time:  1 Hour 

Servings: 4 Cups 

Lavender Syrup: 

• 1 Cup Sugar 
• 1 Cup Water 
• 3 Teaspoons dried culinary lavender 
• 2 Sprigs fresh lavender 

Steep the sugar, hot water and lavender together until it is the strength you desire (this is to taste).  Can be refrigerated and saved. 

Lavender Mint Lemonade: 

• 3 Cups freshly squeezed lemon juice 
• 1 ¾ Cups Water 
• 1 Cup Lavender Syrup 
• 1 Big handful of fresh mint 
• Lemon slices for garnish 
• Fresh lavender sprigs for garnish 

Simply combine ingredients and pour over ice.  That’s it! Super simple and super tasty! 

To learn more about Valerie Tran and her company, Value Bar Services, you can find them here: 

https://www.instagram.com/valuebarservices/?hl=en

And be sure to tag us in your Mocktail posts on Instagram! #EventsandCrafts