How To Make A Zero-Proof 31st Century Cocktail
A riff on the classic 20th Century Cocktail.
Let’s take a trip to a place where beverages are thoughtful, flavorful, and meant to really lift your spirits. This is a play on the classic 20th Century Cocktail, first published in William J. Tarling’s 1937 Café Royal Cocktail Book. By using lavender (or herbal) tea, I wanted to take the lighter elements of gin and pair them with refreshing mint and lemon, using aloe vera honey and cocoa to complement the brightness of this classic riff. Think of The 30th Century as a clean and delectable zero-proof version of its 1937 relative.
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The 31st Century Cocktail
You’ll Need:
Ice
.5 ounce aloe vera honey
.5 ounce lemon juice
1.5 ounces lavender mint or herbal mint tea
Cocoa extract
Fresh mint
For The Aloe Vera Honey:
.5 cup honey
.5 cup aloe vera juice
Step One: Lemon Juice
You’ll want to juice yourself fresh lemon juice with a hand juicer. It is always best to use fresh citrus for a supreme cocktail.
Step Two: Aloe Vera Honey
In order to make your aloe vera honey, put .5 cup aloe vera juice in a pot and heat to medium-high. Next, add .5 cup honey, then stir until it’s fully integrated. (It should take about 5 mins.) This will be your sugar/simple syrup component.
Step Three: Steep Your Tea
I like to use lavender, chamomile, and mint tea, but, if you can’t get a hold of that, use any herbal mint tea you find enjoyable. Remember, this is your drink. Place a tablespoon (or a pouch) of your tea into a pot or kettle with 1 cup of hot water to steep. Remove as directed on tea instructions, which is usually 5 to 10 minutes of steeping time.
Step Four: Shake and Garnish
Get your shaker and fill it with ice. Add 2 drops of cocoa extract and .5 ounce lemon juice. Next, add .5 ounce aloe vera honey. Finally, add 1.5 ounces of your tea and shake for about 10 seconds. Place the strainer on the shaker, then pour your drink into a glass garnished with mint. There you have your clean and refreshing 30th Century cocktail.