Every drink here is alcohol-free
Mocktails have become a fixture at Pakistani restaurants, weddings and birthday parties, and none of the recipes in this section contain alcohol. Several famous mocktails borrow names from cocktails, such as the margarita, mojito and piña colada, but these versions are made entirely from fruit, herbs, syrups and soda.
A word on blue curaçao
The blue lagoon gets its colour from blue curaçao syrup, a non-alcoholic flavoured syrup sold in Pakistani supermarkets. It comes in bottles that look very similar to blue curaçao liqueur, which does contain alcohol. Always check the label says syrup and non-alcoholic before you buy.
The Pakistani mint margarita
If there’s one mocktail Pakistan made its own, it’s the mint margarita: fresh mint, lemon, sugar, ice and lemon-lime soda blended until frothy and bright green. Restaurants serve it with almost every meal. The secret is to blend the mint with the ice and lemon first, then add the soda for just a second or two so it keeps its fizz.
Making mocktails for a crowd
For dawats and iftar, make the base ahead: blend or muddle the fruit, herbs, lemon and sugar, strain it, and keep it in a jug in the fridge for up to a day. Add ice and soda only when you pour, because carbonation disappears within minutes. A good rule is one part base to two parts soda or chilled water, adjusted to taste.