Zero Proof Recipe: The Mood Board

No filter needed when you're this cute. My newest recipe, the Mood Board, is inspired by the Queen Charlotte, a Temperance cocktail featured in Cocktail Boothby's 1891 bartending guide. ⁠

⁠The Mood Board features two kinds of colored ice, a sprightly raspberry syrup and a kiss of orgeat. It was designed for the social media spotlight.⁠

⁠This drink was created in partnership with the lovely folks at HOP WTR, a sparkling hops-infused water.⁠

In a mixing tin, combine raspberry syrup, orgeat, lime juice and several colored ice cubes. (Note: Wear gloves while handling the colored ice, as it will stain fingers temporarily). Shake briskly until well-chilled and most of the ice stops rattling in the tin. The longer you shake, the darker the color of the drink.

Open tin, add chilled Classic HOP WTR and swirl. Gently pour drink, including remaining colored ice, into a tall Collins glass. Serve with a straw. 

Top off with more HOP WTR and fresh colored ice, as needed. The remaining ice will slowly melt, changing the color of the drink slightly.

In a medium saucepan, combine raspberries and water. Cover, then cook over the lowest heat setting for one hour. The raspberries will turn pale, while the liquid will be bright pink. 

Remove from heat and let thoroughly cool. Strain away solids, gently pressing to extract liquid. Measure the remaining liquid; whatever the new volume s, add an equal amount of sugar. For example, you may likely get ¾ cups of liquid after straining away the raspberries. In that case, add ¾ cup sugar, then stir until fully dissolved. Store in the refrigerator.

In a small saucepan, heat water to just under boiling. Pour water into two heat proof containers. Add multiple drops of purple dye in one container, and blue dye in the other. The more dye you add, the brighter the colors will be. Typically, about 4 - 5 dashes will get the water deeply tinted. 

Pour purple water into one ice cube tray, and the blue in the other. Set aside to freeze until needed. Note: An ice tray with smaller-sized cubes, such as petite spherical molds, works very well for this versus larger molds.