The Veg Out Old Fashioned Mocktail

Old Fashioned Mocktail: Perfect for October and Football Season

As the leaves turn and football season kicks off, there's no better way to celebrate than with a refreshing Old Fashioned mocktail. This non-alcoholic twist on the classic cocktail is perfect for your cozy October evenings and game day gatherings. 

Old Fashioned Mocktail

In our version of the iconic Old Fashioned the star of the show is barley tea. Much like the Scotch and Irish whiskey (which are made from barley), barley tea is astringent with roasted and smoky notes accompanied by a mild caramel and bitter taste that closely mimics that of whiskey. Once you combine the brew with sugar and bitters you’ll have a non-alcoholic version that is curiously spot on.

The Barely Tea

Consumed in Japan and Korea for centuries, this drink has become a staple to a good Japanese healthy diet. Barley tea contains vitamins A and C along with antioxidants that help to eliminate free radicals, plus amino acids and melatonin that aid overall health. In a nut shell barely tea is calming and good for you. Once you sip this curious flavor you’ll see why we had to develop this recipe.

The Sugar and Bitters

The purpose of the sugar and bitters in a classic Old Fashioned recipe is to balance the spirit. And the two do the same in the tea-based version. Note: Bitters are alcohol-based, a few dashes of bitters contain trace amounts of alcohol meaning this mocktail is still considered non-alcoholic. You can use tonic water or an old fashioned mixer as a completely alcohol free bittering agent. We use honey or agave in our recipe.  If you use sugar just remember to stir it to completely dissolve the sugar in the mocktail. 

Why we love bitters:

Bitters support digestion, liver health, and detoxification. They come in many different flavor profiles from the the classic Angostura, Peychaud, and Regans' to more small batch artisan types. Or start making your own bitters! 

The Fruits

Cherries and oranges are muddled together in the old fashion to give it a hint of cherry and oil peel flavor without overwhelming the robust barley flavors.

Other add Ins:

Once you try the base recipe try adding a splash lemon-lime soda, tonic water, seltzer, or old fashioned mixer.  You can do variations with apple cider cranberry, or pomegranate for the holiday.  This is an absolute favorite for the Fall and Winter seasons. 

Ingredients

Serves 1

The Tea

4 cups water, room temperature

1 barley tea bag (Japanese/ Korean Style)

Allow to Cold brew for 2 hours minimum

The Old Fashioned

4 ounces of barley tea

2 teaspoons of a liquid sweetener like honey or agave

1 orange slice (thin slice)

1-2 maraschino cherries

3 dashes of Angostura bitters

1 dash Regans' bitters

The Finish

1 maraschino cherry and orange peel, for garnish

Splash of lemon lime soda, tonic water, or additional tea

Ice to keep it cool (not too much or the mocktail gets dilute)

Directions

For the tea:

Pour the water into a pitcher.

Add the tea bag.

Sit on the counter or refrigerate for 2 hours then discard the tea bag. The longer the better for a stronger barley flavor.

For the mocktail:

Place your sweetener in the bottom of a glass.

Add the orange slice and muddle for about 1 minute.

Then add the tea,  bitters, and soda. Stir until mixed well.

Feel free to top off the drink with additional soda, tonic, tea, or old-fashioned mixer. 

For the finish:

Take orange peel and twist it over the drink to release the oil and run it along the glass rim.

Add ice and garnish with the cherry and orange zest. 

Enjoy!

This mocktail offers a rich, complex flavor with a hint of sweetness and bitterness, making it a delightful drink for everyone¹. Whether you're hosting a football watch party or simply enjoying a quiet evening, the Old Fashioned mocktail is sure to be a hit. Cheers to a fantastic fall season! 🍂🏈

Veg Out Daily & Eat More Plants!

The Veg Out Daily Team