Sparkling Spice
Photography by Annabelle Breakey; styling by Dan Becker
Time: 10 minutes, plus 30 minutes to steep. A lively, aromatic, fizzy fluteful that makes a good stand-in for a kir royale. You’ll have enough syrup for 8 mocktails.
This recipe, and others like it, appears in the article “Our Favorite Mocktails for Dry January.”
How to Make It
Step 1
1
In a small saucepan, heat sugar with 1/2 cup water and the star anise over high heat until sugar dissolves. Let steep 30 minutes, then strain.
Step 2
2
Pour 1 tbsp. star anise syrup into a Champagne flute. Add Lemon-Lime Juice and sparkling apple-cranberry juice.
Step 3
3
Make ahead: Chill syrup up to 2 weeks.
Step 4
4
Note: Nutritional analysis is per mocktail.
Step 5
5
Bar Essentials: Have these on hand for mixing great mocktails.
Step 6
6
Simple Syrup: Equal parts sugar and water, heated until the sugar dissolves. (Your yield will be the same as the amount of water you use.)
Step 7
7
Lemon-Lime Juice: Equal parts freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice, for adding acidity in a flash.
Step 8
8
Fresh Lemons, Limes, and Oranges: To make juice, wedges for squeezing or moistening the rim of a glass, or twists of zest for extra citrus aroma.
Step 9
9
Superfine Sugar: Dissolves easily and makes a nice garnish on the rim of a glass.
Step 10
10
Fresh Herbs: Basil, mint, and tarragon add complexity, texture, and visual appeal.
Step 11
11
Purchased Ice: For a big party, it's hard to make enough ice at home. Besides cooling, ice helps blend flavors in the shaker.
Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/2 star anise, plus 1 for garnish if you like
1 tablespoon Lemon-Lime Juice (see notes)
1/2 cup chilled sparkling apple-cranberry juice
Directions
Step 1
1
In a small saucepan, heat sugar with 1/2 cup water and the star anise over high heat until sugar dissolves. Let steep 30 minutes, then strain.
Step 2
2
Pour 1 tbsp. star anise syrup into a Champagne flute. Add Lemon-Lime Juice and sparkling apple-cranberry juice.
Step 3
3
Make ahead: Chill syrup up to 2 weeks.
Step 4
4
Note: Nutritional analysis is per mocktail.
Step 5
5
Bar Essentials: Have these on hand for mixing great mocktails.
Step 6
6
Simple Syrup: Equal parts sugar and water, heated until the sugar dissolves. (Your yield will be the same as the amount of water you use.)
Step 7
7
Lemon-Lime Juice: Equal parts freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice, for adding acidity in a flash.
Step 8
8
Fresh Lemons, Limes, and Oranges: To make juice, wedges for squeezing or moistening the rim of a glass, or twists of zest for extra citrus aroma.
Step 9
9
Superfine Sugar: Dissolves easily and makes a nice garnish on the rim of a glass.
Step 10
10
Fresh Herbs: Basil, mint, and tarragon add complexity, texture, and visual appeal.
Step 11
11
Purchased Ice: For a big party, it's hard to make enough ice at home. Besides cooling, ice helps blend flavors in the shaker.
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