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Mocktails for Dry January: Cranberry Rosemary Sparkler

A vibrant red cocktail garnished with blueberries, red berries, and a rosemary sprig, sitting on a textured gray surface, evokes a refreshing mood.

Well, the holidays have officially drawn to a close, and 2024 is upon us. Looking to participate in dry January this year? Soltech wants to help you along the way with all of your resolutions, and we want to make this one extra special, with our month long Mocktail Monday series! Keep your eyes peeled for our 5 exciting recipes for delicious drinks to celebrate with, all non-alcoholic and specially crafted to boost various health benefits.

This is a great opportunity to use up the last of those herbs leftover from holiday dinners, or to get growing yourself! Nothing signifies a fresh start quite like picking up a new hobby, and indoor gardening is certainly a fulfilling option. Our Grove™ Bar Light Grow Light is every quick growing herbs best friend. Introduce both of them to your kitchen (or bar cart) and watch your whole life flourish in a whole new way!

Drink 1: Cranberry Rosemary Sparkler

Cranberries are rich in antioxidants, particularly proanthocyanidins, as well as other compounds which contribute to cardiovascular health by supporting healthy cholesterol levels and promoting overall immune function. Rosemary is known for its potential cognitive benefits, as well as its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Combine these wonderful flavors with their multitude of health benefits, and you have an all-in-one treat!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cranberry juice (unsweetened)
  • 1/2 cup apple juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey or simple syrup (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 2-3 sprigs of fresh rosemary
  • Sparkling water
  • Ice cubes
  • Fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

  • Make Rosemary Infused Syrup:
    • In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar.
    • Add 2-3 rosemary sprigs and heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
    • Simmer for a few minutes to infuse the rosemary flavor.
    • Strain the syrup to remove the rosemary sprigs and let it cool.
  • Mix the Mocktail:
    • In a shaker, combine cranberry juice, apple juice, rosemary simple syrup, and fresh lime juice.
    • Add ice to the shaker and shake well to combine the flavors.
  • Strain and Serve:
    • Strain the mixture into glasses filled with ice cubes.
  • Top with Sparkling Water:
    • Fill the glasses with sparkling water, leaving some space at the top.
  • Garnish:
    • Garnish the mocktail with fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.
  • Enjoy:
    • Stir gently before sipping to mix the flavors, and enjoy the festive Cranberry Rosemary Sparkler!

Feel free to adjust the sweetness or acidity according to your taste preferences. This mocktail offers a perfect blend of tartness from cranberries, sweetness from apple juice, and a hint of herbal aroma from fresh rosemary. Cheers!

A Pink Princess Philodendron isn't the plant you want to experiment on with a pair of dull scissors and no plan. Between the price tag and the fact that its pink coloring can be a little unpredictable, it's fair to feel more cautious cutting into this one than you would a pothos. The good news is that propagating a Pink Princess is genuinely simple once you understand the one thing that trips most people up: the pink pattern on your cutting isn't guaranteed to look exactly like the parent plant.

If your plant hasn't put out a new leaf in a while, or the leaves it is growing are small, pale, and spaced far apart on a stretched-out stem, it can feel like it's just stalled for no reason. It's not. Slow or leggy growth is almost always your plant telling you something specific, and once you know what to look for, the fix is usually simple.

If your Monstera's new leaves keep coming in solid, round, and nothing like the dramatic split leaves you've seen on other people's plants, you're probably wondering what you're doing wrong. Likely nothing. Leaf splitting, technically called fenestration, depends on a handful of specific conditions coming together, and when even one of them isn't quite right yet, your Monstera will keep producing solid leaves until it is.