Welcome Spring with Easter Celebrations and Refreshing Tea Mocktails

Spring, with its vibrant blossoming and warmer days, heralds the joyous Easter season, a time rich in family gatherings and friendship celebrations. It's a season that rekindles connections and fosters joy, embodying renewal and shared moments.

Recognizing the increasing preference for non-alcoholic beverage options during these gatherings, it becomes essential to explore creative mocktail ideas. Offering an array of non-alcoholic mocktails for Easter brunch not only accommodates all guests but also enhances the festive spirit, ensuring everyone can partake in the toast to spring’s renewal.

Let's delve into some inspiring mocktail recipes that promise to add a unique flair to your Easter brunch, ensuring a memorable experience for family and friends alike.

Homemade Ice Tea

Steeping Iced Tea with Loose Tea

1. Start by heating water to the appropriate temperature based on the tea type you're brewing. To infuse, steep the leaves with hot water and allow to steep for the suggested duration for your tea blend.

2. Use 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea for every 250 ml of water. For instance, to make 2 liters of tea, steep 8 teaspoons of loose tea in 2 liters of water.

3. Include an extra 1-2 teaspoons of tea for a more robust flavor, or if the tea is of a delicate variety.

4. For sweetness, mix in 60 ml of sugar or honey for every 4 liters and adjust according to preference. It's important to incorporate the sweetener while the tea is still warm and stir thoroughly until it dissolves completely.

5. After steeping, transfer the tea to a pitcher for serving and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or allow to cool at room temperature before serving with additional ice.

6. Decorate each glass with a citrus slice, a sprig of fresh mint, or your choice of garnish for a flavorful and decorative touch.

Steeping guide

*For black and herbal teas, a water temperature of 95-100˚C is ideal; for oolong, green, and white teas, a range of 75-85˚C is recommended to prevent damage to the sensitive leaves.

Regarding duration, steep black and oolong teas for 3-5 minutes; green or white teas for 2-3 minutes, and herbal teas for more than 5 minutes.

Matcha Mojito Mocktail recipe

Ingredients (for 2 servings):

• 120 ml hot water
• ¼ tsp matcha powder
• 3 Tbsp brown sugar
• Juice of 1 lime
• 20 mint leaves
• 250 ml club soda
• Ice
• Lime wedges and extra mint for garnish

 Matcha Mojito Mocktail recipe preparation

1. Begin by whisking together the hot water and matcha powder in a small bowl. Ensure the matcha dissolves entirely into the water, creating a smooth mixture. Let this matcha blend cool down.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add brown sugar and mint leaves. Use a muddler to crush and mix the mint leaves with the sugar thoroughly. This process will help release the mint's essential oils, infusing the sugar with its flavor.
3. Squeeze the juice of one lime into the shaker, then drop the juiced lime halves into it as well for extra zest.
4. Pour the cooled matcha and water mixture into the shaker, then fill the shaker with ice to chill the drink as it mixes.
5. Secure the lid on the cocktail shaker and give it a vigorous shake for about 20 seconds, ensuring all ingredients are well combined and chilled.
6. Place crushed ice into two large glasses. Strain the shaken matcha concoction evenly between the two glasses, leaving room at the top.
7. Finish each glass by topping it with club soda. This adds a refreshing fizz to your drink.
8. Garnish the drinks with lime wedges and additional fresh mint leaves to enhance their visual appeal and flavor. Serve immediately while cold for the best experience.

Suggestion:

• If club soda isn’t to your liking or not available, you can easily substitute it with a bit more water for a milder version or use lime seltzer for an added citrus kick without altering the refreshing quality of the drink.

 Easter Green Tea Punch

Ingredients:

• 2 liters cool Green tea (steep 4 table spoon for 1 liter water)
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 8 whole cloves, plus more for garnish
• Peeled slices of fresh ginger (about 2.5 cm by 5 cm each)
• 1 apple
• 1 orange
• 1 liter apple juice

Easter Punch Tea Recipe Preparation

1. In a large pitcher, combine 2 liters of cool Green tea with 8 whole cloves, two pieces of ginger (each about 2.5 cm by 5 cm), and two cinnamon sticks.
2. Allow the mixture to steep at room temperature for approximately two hours to infuse the flavors.
3. After steeping, place the pitcher in the refrigerator to chill for up to an hour.
4. Meanwhile, prepare the fruits: wash the orange and slice it into thin rounds.
5. Wash the apple, remove the core, and slice it. Press additional cloves into the apple slices for added aroma and presentation.
6. Once the tea has infused and is chilled, remove the cloves, cinnamon sticks, and ginger pieces from the pitcher to ensure a smooth drink.
7. Add the sliced fruits, the remaining cinnamon sticks, and the fresh pieces of ginger to the pitcher along with 1 liter of apple juice. Stir well to combine.
8. Serve the punch chilled for a refreshing and aromatic summer beverage. Enjoy the blend of fruity and spicy flavors with every sip!