With the holiday season fast approaching, Kelly Green speaks to Camille Vidal, founder of La Maison Wellness, about how we can all drink more mindfully over the festive season as she shares her tips for making a great mocktail.
As London Cocktail Week was in full swing earlier this month, I attended a mocktail masterclass hosted by S’well to celebrate the launch of the reusable bottle brand’s new barware range. Leading the class was Camille Vidal – wellness advocate, yoga teacher and drinks & cocktail expert – who took us step-by-step through how to create a ‘Mindful Moscow’ (a non-alcoholic version of a Moscow Mule) using S’well’s stainless steel barware and a whole host of conscious, non-alcoholic and delicious ingredients including Wild Life Botanicals sparkling wine; Gimber organic ginger spirit, and Seedlip.
Any preconceptions of making a simple mixed fruit juice quickly went out the window, as it became apparent that we would be crafting the non-alcoholic cocktail with the same precision and attention that we would expect from a professional bartender. “The name mocktail sounds like it is a mock – it’s not not the real thing so it’s not as good,” says Camille. “For me, a mocktail is a cocktail; it’s about flavour and about the connection of socialising with friends, so regardless if there is alcohol in it or not, it should be the same – a beautiful, flavourful, packed with fun, experience.”
Inspired to launch La Maison Wellness after 10 years’ experience working in the food and beverage industry, Camille wanted to “inspire people to live well and incorporate mindfulness in every aspect of their life in a positive way, focusing on growing the pile of good things rather than cutting things out.
“I wanted La Maison Wellness to become a platform where people could find ideas and recipes to feel inspired and empowered to make the decision that works for them, and if that means living like a Healthy Hedonist then great!”
Camille has noticed attitudes to alcohol have evolved over recent years: “Gone are the days where it was only pregnancy, religion or addiction keeping you away from the alcoholic beverage,” she says. “Now it is a conscious lifestyle decision, because moderation through healthy hedonism seems like a good balance to a lot of us. Find the balance that works for you, and remember you don’t have to go all in or all out.”
So what is the secret to making a great mocktail? “Good quality, fresh and seasonal ingredients to mix with all the different non alcoholic spirits, wine or even beer that are available these days.”
Here are three of Camille’s recommended mocktail recipes to try at home this winter:
Mindful Moscow
Ingredients:
30ml Seedlip Spice 94
20ml lime juice
20ml cranberry juice
10ml ginger (we used Gimber)
Half teaspoon agave syrup
Top up with non-alcoholic sparkling wine (we used Wild Life Botanicals)
For the garnish: Ginger, Mint + Fresh Cranberries (when in season)
Method:
- Build ingredients – minus the sparkling wine – into the small part of your shaker
- Fill with lots of ice & shake shake shake!
- Strain into a tumbler over new ice & top with non-alcoholic sparkling wine.
- Add garnish to finish.
Watch how to make the Lazy Matinee:
Kir Floral (Low-Alcohol)
Ingredients:
10ml St-Germain
40ml Cherry Kombucha
60ml Prosecco
One drop of Spice Drops lemongrass
Method:
- Simply pour all ingredients into a champagne flute and garnish with an edible flower.
For more recipes, visit La Maison Wellness and follow step-by-step on Camille’s Youtube channel .
For more drinks inspiration, see our ethical drinks guide.
Try our refreshing summer drinks recipes.
Read our interview with Lauren Lovatt about the connection between food and mental health.