Cherry, Lime & Elderflower Christmas Mocktail

Light, sparkling and beautifully festive, it’s an easy alcohol-free drink to serve at Christmas lunch or summer celebrations.

Makes: 1 drink

Prep: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 30 ml elderflower cordial
• 20 ml fresh lime juice
• 15 ml cherry syrup, from maraschino cherries or a cherry cordial
• 80–100 ml soda water or sparkling mineral water
• Ice cubes

To garnish

• 1 dried or dehydrated lime wheel
• Fresh rosemary sprig
• Edible red flowers, such as dianthus
• 2 to 3 maraschino cherries or fresh cherries

Method

1. Fill a short tumbler generously with ice.
2. Pour in the elderflower cordial, lime juice and cherry syrup.
3. Stir briefly to combine.
4. Top with chilled soda water or sparkling mineral water.
5. Add 2 to 3 cherries to the glass.
6. Garnish with a dried lime wheel, maraschino or fresh cherries and an edible red flower.
7. Add a sparkly cocktail pick for the Christmas look

For a jug – serves 8

Combine 240 ml elderflower cordial, 160 ml fresh lime juice and 120 ml cherry syrup in a jug.

Just before serving, add 750 ml chilled sparkling water and plenty of ice. Add cherries and lime slices, then garnish individual glasses with cherries, lime wheel and flowers.

For a pale blush colour use only a small amount of cherry syrup, enough to tint the drink rather than turn it red. The more cherry syrup, the darker the drink will get.