How Can I Make My Drink Vegan?
While many of the ingredients in alcoholic beverages are already plant-based, like beer, others are not. Some mixers and flavored alcohols contain animal products to enhance their overall flavor or color. If you’re vegan, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for these sneaky ingredients.
First things first: you’re going to want to ensure that every drink you have at the bar or a friend’s house is free of both animal and insect-based products. Your other choice (making the cocktails yourself) is another great option, especially if you choose one of the four described here. However, before we get to the recipes, we need to discuss one more thing...
What Ingredients Should You Avoid?
At first glance, it doesn’t seem like there would be non-vegan ingredients in alcohol—but those suckers can be sneaky. Some are obvious; others are not. Here’s a list of items found in alcoholic beverages that are either animal byproducts or made directly from animals or insects (gross, we know). They include:
- Gelatin – Gelatin, which works as a fining agent (among other things), is made of animal cartilage, skin, and bones—hard pass.
- Carmine – Carmine might also appear on the label as cochineal. They add a red color to certain beverages, but that brilliant color comes from the crushed bodies of a certain type of scaly insect.
- Dairy and eggs – Some of the more obvious additions—cream, milk, and eggs—can all appear on the ingredients lists of beverages. Eggs often are used in the fining portion of winemaking, while cream and milk add a rich flavor to some cocktails. Other dairy byproducts, like lactose, whey, and casein, might show up to the party, too.
- Isinglass and Chitin – You may not be familiar with these ones, but they’re both non-vegan fining agents. Fish bladders are used to make isinglass, and chitin is a byproduct of shellfish or insects.
- Honey – Made from bees, honey is an all-natural sweetener that adds to the taste of certain drinks. While that doesn’t sound so bad, it’s also definitely not vegan.
What Are the Yummiest Vegan Recipes?
Now on to the good stuff! Featuring ingredients like Mezcal, ginger beer, and more, these cocktails aren’t just tasty—they’re vegan as well. Even if you’re not vegan, you can make sure everyone at your next shindig can partake in the fun, because these recipes are friendly to vegan diets and they taste amazing.
Stay Hydrated, Y’all
What’s better than cucumbers and a cold beverage on a hot, sunny day? Stay Hydrated, Y’all includes the best of both worlds, including Mezcal!
INGREDIENTS:
- 1.5 oz Mezcal Rosaluna
- 0.75 oz Fresh lime juice
- 0.75 oz Simple syrup
- 6-8 Mint leaves
- 2 Cucumber slices
- Ginger Beer
PREPARATION:
Cucumbers are super hydrating, so they’re the perfect addition to those hot-day cocktails.
Making this drink is super easy. Place all of the ingredients in a cocktail glass or mixing tin. Shake it up real good (or stir, depending on which type of vessel you used), and then strain it into a serving glass. Add ice and some ginger beer, and enjoy!
Sour, Sweet & Spicy
The Sour, Sweet, & Spicy has a little something for everyone. The spiciness, sourness, and sweetness are balanced in perfect harmony, creating a drink that will tantalize your taste buds.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1.5 oz Mezcal Rosaluna
- 0.5 oz Italicus Liqueur
- 1 oz Fresh lime juice
- 2 Thai chilis
- Garnish: Torched rosemary sprigs
PREPARATION:
This drink has it all: sweet liquor, sour lime juice, and spicy Thai chilis. LFG.
Start by placing all of the liquid ingredients into a glass or mixing tin. Place the chilis into the mix (snapping them in half first, of course) and then shake or stir your beverage. Strain the liquid into a glass filled with ice and add some rosemary sprigs as a garnish.
Topo & Luna
Sometimes, you just want a simple drink—nothing too complicated. That’s where Topo & Luna comes into play. You won’t be able to forget the simplicity of this tasty cocktail.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 oz Mezcal Rosaluna
- Topo Chico (to taste)
- 1 pinch of Sea salt
- Lime wedge, orange or grapefruit slice
PREPARATION:
Some duos are classic—this is definitely one of them.
To make this simple cocktail, put the Mezcal in a glass and fill the remainder of the space with ice. Pour in the Topo Chico (you can add as much as you’d like) and then top the glass with your garnishes.
Daily Grind
Need something to help you unwind after a long, stressful work day? Check out the Daily Grind. This cocktail will help you forget all your troubles in just minutes.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1.5 oz Mezcal Rosaluna
- 0.5 oz Lime juice
- 4 oz Thomas Henry Ginger Beer
- Garnish: Lime shell and candied ginger
PREPARATION:
Whether you want to celebrate a great day at work or just forget about it all, this cocktail is just what the doctor ordered.
Start with a glass filled with ice. Pour in the Mezcal, lime juice, and ginger beer, and stir well. Top with your garnishes and enjoy your time off.
Mix It Up!
Try something new by using these drinks as your tasty inspiration. Whether you prefer to use Rosaluna Mezcal or a different liquor, you can come up with a vegan cocktail in no time… as long as you’re willing to experiment. ;)
Sources:
Is Alcohol Vegan? | Healthline
