How long has January been going on now?
It has to be at least three months. Like, so long that we've stopped accidentally writing the date as '2019' and the next Christmas feels as though it will be coming along any minute.
The month may have dragged, but there have been a couple of bright spots: namely watching
Cheer on Netflix and discovering that we're actually here for vegan food and mocktails.
In fact, we're thinking that alcohol-free cocktails are going to be a permanent addition to our lives: adding one can make any thrown-together meal or casual meet up seem all kinds of fancy, without a price to pay the next day.
And just because it's January doesn't mean we have to abandon Friday night fun – drinks with the girls is way more about the chats than the alcohol anyway.
If you need some mocktail inspo, try the recipe below which the good folk at
Nox Hotel in Galway have shared with us.
The drink is just one item on the menu that can be enjoyed during the hotel's insanely popular 'Come for dinner stay for free'
promotion this month – and we're here for that too. Think about it: how many times after a slap-up dinner have you just wanted a lie down?
At Nox, you can enjoy a three-course dinner, then slip up the stairs and get in a mammoth snooze. Packages start from €79 for two people – which is just about the perfect price for a never-ending January.
Tropical Nox Mocktail
Ingredients:
25ml banana puree
75ml pineapple juice
25ml fresh lemon juice
75ml orange juice
25ml grenadine
Ice cubes
Orange or pineapple to garnish
Method:
Add the banana puree and pineapple juice to a blender and blitz lightly until smooth.
Add 4-5 ice large ice cubes to a cocktail shaker and pour the mixture from the blender on top of the ice.
Add in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and mix using a cocktail stirrer.
Pour in the orange juice and grenadine, place the lid on the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds.
Pour the mixture into a large chilled white wine glass and garnish with a slice of orange or pineapple triangle.
