Rosemary “Dryhound” Mocktail
This mocktail was inspired by a love I have for rosemary in coffee. If I am going to make a simple syrup for a special occassion drink, I want to use it for other things, too. This mocktail is another easy one and the complex flavors in this two-ingredient syrup makes it feel elevated and complex so you won’t miss the alcohol.
I love rosemary but never thought to put it in coffee I had coffee with a friend at Citizen Vinyl in Asheville. They has a rosemary brown sugar latte on the menu and there was no way I wasn’t trying it. I’ve been making it in the van regularly ever since. Brown sugar adds complex sweetness that I knew would add layers of flavor I look for when creating a mocktail so it doesn’t just taste like juice in place of a fun cocktail. Coconut sugar also works really well. This Rosemary DryHound Mocktail is based on the classic Greyhound. The herbal, molasses flavor brings an upscale flavor that makes you take your time sipping it just like you would a cocktail, but totally non-alcoholic. That being said, you could easily add vodka in place of water for a fun twist on the classic.
ROSEMARY DRYHOUND MOCKTAIL RECIPE
makes 1 mocktail
INGREDIENTS
4 oz grapefruit juice
4 oz water
1 oz rosemary brown sugar simple syrup (recipe below)
Squeeze of lemon (1 cup half a lemon into 4 quarters and juice 1 quarter)
METHOD
1. Add grapefruit juice, water, rosemary brown sugar syrup, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker or jar with a lid and shake.
2. Fill a short glass about 2/3 of the way up with ice.
3. Pour juice mixture over ice.
4. Garnish with rosemary sprig and/or lemon slice (optional)
ROSEMARY BROWN SUGAR SIMPLE SYRUP RECIPE
INGREDIENTS
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup water
5 springs of fresh rosemary
METHOD
1. Combine brown sugar, water, and rosemary in a saucepan and set on the stove over low heat.
2. Bring mixture to a simmer and simmer for 30 seconds.
3. Remove pot from heat and let mixture cool for 30 minutes - 1 hour.*
4. Pour into an airtight container for your next fun beverage moment.
*When I make this I want as much rosemary flavor as possible so when I add more syrup to get more flavor I’m not also adding a ton of sweetness. If you like drinks sweeter, you can steep the rosemary for less time.
