DRY January doesn’t have to mean a drought on tasty drinks.
If you’re skipping the pub, there are lots of budget-friendly, booze-free alternatives that pack all the flavour without the hangover.
Here are some ideas . . .
SWEET HIT: Raid your fruit bowl to make sweet syrups that can be turned into budget fizzy cocktails.
If you like citrus flavours, try mixing the juice of a lemon or lime with a teaspoon of sugar or honey, then top with soda water and ice.
For a fruity punch, do the same with your syrup, but then add mashed frozen black forest fruit mix (£3.50 for 500g, Tesco) to the glass before topping with soda.
You can use the remaining berries for baking, smoothies or as a breakfast topper.
BOTANICAL BREW: The world of alcohol-free spirits has boomed, but bottles can be pricey. For a similar flavour, create your own herbal infusions.
Steep peppermint, rosemary or ginger in hot water, let it cool, then mix with tonic and ice for a sophisticated sip.
KOMBUCHA TREAT: For a refreshing change, try alternative health drinks such as kombucha.
A pack of four cans of Remedy Kombucha in ginger lemon, wild berry or raspberry lemonade flavour is £5.50 at Tesco.
You can add herbs and slices of lemon, lime or orange.
TEA-TOTAL: Use your favourite teabags as a base for a brew-tiful mocktail.
Steep two or three bags for 10 to 20 minutes for a concentrated tea mixer which can be served with your sugar and lemon syrup or the syrup from a tin of peaches.
Alternatively, make a sophisticated Earl Grey tea syrup by heating equal parts water and sugar, bringing to the boil and removing from the heat.
Then add two to three tea bags and steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Top with soda water, ice and a slice of lemon.
SUPERMARKET SAVER: Check out the supermarket January sales for bargain no-booze drinks.
Asda has reduced the price of the alcohol-free prosecco, Nozeco, from £3.32 to £2.98, which won’t look out of place next to the other bottles at a party.
- All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
DEAL OF DAY
WALK through puddles worry-free with these easy-clean Solognac Wellies, previously £12.99 now £9.99 at decathlon.co.uk.
SAVE: £3
CHEAP TREAT
STOCK up on fizz with an eight-pack of Coca-Cola Zero, usually £4.25, now £3.50 with a Tesco Clubcard.
SAVE: 75p
SAVE: £3
WHAT’S NEW?
GIVE your living room a cosy makeover with this waffle throw, previously £6, now £4, and this two-pack of matching cushions, usually £10, now £8 when you use your Morrisons More card.
TOP SWAP
FOR a stylish accent chair, try the Édite Bloomfield armchair, above, £382.49 at laredoute.co.uk, or get the similar Upholstered Sofa Chair, below, for £78.79 from The Range.
SAVE: £303.70
SHOP & SAVE
CHOP in style with this small botanical bamboo cutting board, reduced from £2.49 to £1.74 at Homebase.
SAVE: 75p
LITTLE HELPER
READY to find a bargain?
B&M’s Reduced To Clear sale is now on in-store.
Find food, toiletries and more from as little as 10p.
Stock varies by store.
HOT RIGHT NOW
CHECK out the new Hinch Home range at Home Bargains, with frames from £1.49 and candles from £3.99.
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