It was the school summer fete at the weekend and we were in attendance as our alter-egos Mr and Mrs Miggins, running a temperance bar stocked with alcohol-free drinks!
Due to a slight cock-up in getting a licence on time – and to be honest, should there be alcohol on offer at a primary school summer fete? (answers on a postcard, please) – some quick thinking was required both to quench thirsts and raise funds.
With only four days to prepare, all already occupied with the usual day jobs and regular responsibilities, some hasty internet research revealed copious combinations of cordials, mixers, fruit and herbs plus the odd secret store cupboard ingredient on which to base our range of marvellous mocktails – phew!
We decided to go with two large-scale ‘favourites’ in 7-litre drinks dispensers – a traditional summer fruit cup and a sassy, spicy punch.
Our fruit cup (Mimm’s) contained a base of balsamic vinegar and Frobisher’s Sloe & Raspberry cordial topped up with lemonade and served with fruit (strawberries, orange and lemon segments, cucumber) and fresh mint from the garden. The taste was virtually indistinguishable from the alcoholic version and it went down a treat with Pimm’s-pursuing parents.
The punch was, perhaps, a more acquired taste, featuring Mr Fitzpatrick’s Sarsaparilla cordial topped up with ginger beer and lemonade and served with fresh ginger slices and lime wedges. “Tastes like bubble gum,” was the general view and it proved only a little less popular than the Mimm’s.
Our other offerings included:
- Near Royale – Rock’s blackcurrant squash, Mr Fitzpatrick’s Elderflower & Bramley Apple cordial and spring water, served with fresh berry fruits
- No-jito – agave syrup muddled with fresh mint and lime wedges and Frobisher’s Lemon & Mint cordial topped up with club soda
- G&T (Ginger & Tarragon) – home-made tarragon syrup and lemon juice topped up with soda, served with tarragon leaves and fresh ginger slices and lots of ice
- Rose Lemonade – Frobisher’s Pomegranate & Rose cordial topped up with lemonade and served with crystallised rose petals
If there are other fete-organising PTAs or parents out there who would be interested in finding out more about our non-alcoholic cocktail bar – or indeed our period costumes! – please let us know and we’ll publish some more details on mocktail mixology!