14 February 2021 - 00:00 By Sbu Mkwanazi Fehmida Jordaan, founder of Fehmz Mocktails. Image: Supplied
Lately, people have had to go without booze and now some of them aren t going back. Fehmida Jordaan, founder of Fehmz Mocktails, is on a mission to ensure that, for those happy to have ditched the hangover, non-alcoholic drinks of great creativity and variety can fill the gap.
In 2015 Jordaan, out of necessity, established what would become her labour of love. As a Muslim, she had limited libations to enjoy. It s haram (forbidden) for her to consume alcohol, but she still wanted to have exciting concoctions to quench her thirst.
My Dry January Was Off to a Rough Start. Could Creative, Boozeless Concoctions Serve Up Some Redemption?
Illustration by Jon Fuller
As the days shortened and darkened with 2020âs final act, I found my nightly glass of wine coming earlier and becoming two, or three, sometimes chased by shame the next morning.
A disclaimer: I donât see drinking as a black-and-white divide between good, self-controlled, responsible drinkers and bad, gluttonous alcoholics. Everyone who chooses to imbibe exists on a spectrum of risk, and where you fall depends on your relationship with alcohol.
Iâve always liked to drink, although since college, my relationship with alcohol has mellowed. Pre-pandemic, Iâd go out and throw a few back once a week with pals, but for the most part, I felt in control. Until I didnât.
Photo: Claire Lower
“Dry January” like its sister month, “Sober October” is marked by a sudden influx of annoying PR emails. Seltzer, soda, tea, and juice brands fill my inbox with all sorts of beverage “recipes” aimed at people who are trying not to drink. Most of them are elaborate, but knowing how to make a fancy mocktail packed with specific ingredients is not the key to sobriety, even for a month.
With all the crazy stuff happening in the craft cocktail scene, it can be easy for an alcohol…Read more
There are a lot of reasons to take a month off from drinking, and all of them are valid. But different people have different needs they need met while abstaining. Some are able to sip seltzer and forget about booze entirely, while others may find they need to recreate the ritual of having a drink, or at least craft themselves a special-feeling beverage to take the place of a cocktail. I have some strategies for the latter group, none of which involve bitters and sod
8 oz. Fresh squeezed lemon juice
24 oz. Cold water (to dilute)
Directions:
Puree the raspberries using a blender or food processor. Add a touch of water to help get a smooth texture. Squeeze the raspberry puree through a mesh strainer into a large pitcher to remove the seeds.
Make your simple syrup by placing sugar and 1 cup of water into a pot and bringing to a simmer. Stir until the sugar completely dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool. Juice 5-7 lemons to make a cup of juice.
Combine lemon juice, simple syrup, 3 cups of cold water, and KeVita Raspberry Lemon Master Brew Kombucha into the pitcher with the raspberry puree. Stir then refrigerate your pitcher of lemonade for 30 minutes. Garnish with lemon wheel and fresh raspberries.