The sun is shining, the weather is sweet, makes you want to move those dancing feet. Your guests have arrived and now you can wow them with your amazing vegan cocktails to secure your place in the most memorable of soiree… wait a second… vegan cocktails? What’s not vegan about cocktails? Are there animals in them? Well, yes there are.
Let’s take Worcester sauce for instance; this key ingredient of a Bloody Mary actually contains anchovies. It is amazing how many people look surprised when I announce this revelation. Tesco, and I am sure many other supermarkets, stock a vegan friendly Worcester sauce that to me tastes exactly the same!
While we are on the subject of fish, isinglass, made of dried swim bladders is used in the fining or clarification of many popular wines and beers.
So what else can alcohol possibly have in it that isn’t vegan? Well even if not marked on the label it can possibly contain dairy, egg white, silk and in some cases sea shells.
Wait! There is an upside; most hard liquor is vegan friendly as long as it isn’t cream based.
I remember the sweet taste of Baileys Irish Cream and ice before going vegan. I did not panic or feel like I was to be deprived, oh no my friends, because you can recreate just about any non-vegan drink. For example here’s how to make your own Irish Cream:
- 1 shot of Kahlua
- 1 shot of rum
- 1 cup of vanilla soy milk (the vanilla is important here, if you have plain milk add a dash of vanilla essence to taste)
- Ice cubes
- Simply mix the Kahlua and rum together then add the soy milk and ice and stir.
I have a secret weapon when it comes to selecting alcohol for my cocktail parties; I make a list of what I need then look up the alcohol on barnivore.com, if I need to substitute anything I do.
Another little word of warning, some fruit juices use non vegan colourants as do many premixed cocktails. I try to avoid E numbers whenever I can but here is a guide that should help www.vegansociety.com.
I love to use barnivore as some alcohol companies keep their recipe closely guarded, remember the label can’t tell you everything.
I promise you will soon get used to what alcohol is cruelty free and be’ living it up’ no worries.
Let us take this a step further, how about infusing vodka with all sorts of fruit and vegetables to add to your own courageous cocktail creations by experimenting with garlic, cucumber, cinnamon, basil or ginger. Keep your cocktail simple and go ahead and give it a name, this will surely wow your guests.
Here is a simple, fresh and dressed to impress vegan cocktail.
The Boozy Vegan Apprentice:
- 1/2 cup strawberries
- 1 ½ cups orange juice
- 1 ½ cups pineapple juice
- 1 bottle of sparkling white wine/champagne.
This should make about 8 flutes worth. Simply mix and garnish with a strawberry slice. I like to change this up sometimes by substituting the juices for a sorbet of my choosing.
Well my liquor loving friends I hope this article helps and I raise a toast to all those living a life in support of our fellow earthlings. Stay kind and cruelty free. Cheers to you all!
About the author
Tom Ewings is a co-creator of Theveganapprentice.com, a website focused on vegan culture. From punchy articles to awesome competitions to UK event coverage, what’s new product wise, latest news, thought provoking interviews and specialist vegan nutritional advice. Be part of the global movement towards cruelty free living.