Mommy + Me Mocktails {non-alcoholic drinks for kids on St. Patrick’s Day}

If you’re anything like my family, you love any excuse to party.  This week, St. Patrick’s Day is that excuse.  We’re planning Irish Soda Bread, Corned Beef Hash and of course some Guinness! The kids love the festivities too, but often feel left out unless we make them something special so they can join in on all the fun.  That’s why I wanted to share some of my favorite mocktails (although, there are some alcohol pairings if the adults want a more authentic Irish experience!).

For the Natural Mama

This mocktail is for the natural mamas.  This juice is full of …

1 bag of spinach

4 leafs of kale {stem-ed}

1 whole apple

3 cucumbers

And a chunk of ginger – be careful, a little bit goes a long way

*For mama an optional shot of vodka makes this drink a well balanced beverage you can drink guilt free – enjoy your mocktail turned cocktail with your daily dose of fruit and vegetables.

                                      Combine everything in a juicer and get to juicing.

After juicing, garnish with a shamrock apple, cookie cutter from here.

The kids love helping with this, but you’ll need to help little hands as those edges can be sharp for small fingers.

Remove the outer apple, peel and add a splash of lemon juice to the surface of the apple to keep it from browning.

For the Decadent Mama

This drink is an elegant blend of…

Fresh squeezed juice from 2 lemons

2 tbs mint simple syrup {see below for instructions}

Ginger ale

Ice

Gold sprinkles to rim the glass {from here}

Inspired by mint juleps, mixed with something bubbly for the kids since actual juleps are completely mint, ice and bourbon {garnished with powdered sugar}

*Add sparkling wine {or bourbon} for mom and/or dad

To make simple syrup add 1/2 cup sugar, splash of water, and in this case mint to flavor.  Then simmer until sugar is dissolved and allow to cool.

To rim the glass with gold sugar, slide a lemon around the rim, the juice will act as the glue for the sugar.  Dip the glass into a shallow bowl of sugar and ta-da! Gold Rim.

Start with ice, add mint simple syrup and lemon juice, top with ginger ale and serve.

Additional garnish of mint if desired.

For the Crafty Mama

This drink is a blend of…

Lime popcicles or an alternative of lime sorbet if you can’t find popcicles {if you can find green ones it will save you a step!}

Sparkling apple cider

White chocolate Celtic shamrock garnish {see below for directions}

Lemonade

Pineapple juice

Ginger ale

Green food coloring

This drink inspired by variations of Sorbet punch concoctions, modified for St. Patrick’s Day.

*Add rum for the adults

                                                 For this drink melt some white chocolate in the microwave or double broiler, allow to cool slightly, add to plastic bag, cut small corner off to create a makeshift piping bag. Squeeze onto parchment paper in the shape of a shamrock, try to leave a slit for the glass.  With a toothpick, design small swirls similar to a Celtic knot. Place in freezer and allow to harden.

Once hardened, combine a splash of pineapple juice, lemonade, and sparkling cider to lime popcicle.

Stir with popcicle. Add a drop of green food coloring if your lime popcicles are white like mine (forget the dye if you found green popsicles).

As you can see there are plenty of delicious drinks for both parents and kids alike. Here you can see them pictured with the alcohols of my choice, but you can have fun with it!

…and really these are great drinks without the alcohol. You might not even need any!

What are your plans for St. Patrick’s Day {if you celebrate}? Either way, I hope everyone has a lovely time and is safe.