Vanilla Bean Orange Mocktail

I don’t know why, but there’s just something so fun about creating mocktails. I have all these ideas floating around in my head for recipes and I’m constantly writing them down because I just can’t keep up! I don’t really know what brings me to choose which recipe ideas to embark on next, while leaving all the others in my drafts, other than maybe my own personal cravings. And, well, mocktails have been one of my cravings. If you didn’t know, I spent the last 8 or so years drinking kombucha almost every day (because I genuinely loved it and I love how good it is for gut health!). But a few months ago I stopped out of nowhere, just kind of not craving it anymore… but then came my desire for mocktails! They’re super fun to experiment with.. and better yet, they’re even more fun to photograph. I’m beginning to acknowledge that photography is really the most important job of a food blogger. I could cook all day, but if I don’t have a decent photo to post of my recipe, then nobody will want to make the recipe. And some things are easier to photograph than others. Mocktails are thankfully one of the easier ones, as well as a more fun one to photograph.

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Why I love this mocktail 

• There are no artificial alcohol “alternatives” – most alcohol alternatives rely on natural or artificial flavoring which can also contain thousands of hidden chemicals and preservatives.
• It’s not loaded with refined sugars – most mocktails (especially ones you get in restaurants!) are loaded with sugar, particularly more refined sugars like white sugar, corn syrup, or simple syrups.
• It doesn’t rely on artificial / ‘natural’ flavors – we’re relying on real ingredients for the flavor! Mocktails usually rely on syrups that have artificial (or “natural” flavors).
• There’s no citric acid – yet another common ingredient for mocktail syrups – citric acid is most often taken from black mold, which is very toxic. Some companies are good and actually take it from citrus or cassava root, but most don’t have a healthy source.

Nutritional benefits of this recipe

• Oranges have a wonderful profile of antioxidants, vitamins, fiber, and more. It’s nutrient dense and delicious.
• Maple syrup is a natural sweetener (from the sap of maple trees) so it’s healthy and also rich in antioxidants and minerals such as manganese, riboflavin, and copper.
• Vanilla beans are rich in antioxidants like vanillin, which help protect the body from oxidative stress and support overall cellular health. They also contain trace minerals and naturally occurring compounds that may promote calmness and enhance mood. Beyond flavor, real vanilla adds depth and warmth using a whole, real ingredient rather than synthetic additives.

Ingredients for Vanilla Bean Orange Mocktail

Fresh squeezed orange juice – you can’t convince me otherwise, but buying whole oranges and pressing them yourself is significantly better than store-bought orange juice!

Vanilla bean – make sure to use a high-quality company. I used the Gourmet Madagascar Vanilla Beans by SloFoodGroup. They always have free shipping, every products I’ve bought from them is fantastic (and I’ve bought a lot!!), and I cannot stress how amazing their vanilla beans are compared to what you would buy in a typical grocery store. They are juicy and flavorful rather than dried out and bland like the store-bought ones.

Pure maple syrup – as the sweetener, or you can use honey, but be sure to mix well because honey doesn’t mix as well into cold drinks – you can use a milk frother if needed to get it blended in real quick.

How to make Vanilla Bean Orange Mocktail

1. Put the pure maple syrup into a small cup.
2. Use about 1/3 of a high-quality vanilla bean. Split it in half and carefully scoop out the vanilla paste into the cup.
3. Stir together the vanilla bean paste and the maple syrup very well, until the vanilla is fully incorporated.
4. Add the fresh squeezed orange juice.
5. Add the sparkling water then fill the cup with ice.
6. Garnish with an orange slice and the used portion of the vanilla bean if desired.
7. Serve with a small stirring stick or spoon in the cup to stir between drinks – the vanilla tends to fall to the bottom of the glass, but easily mixes back in with a quick stir.
8. Enjoy! Please leave a rating and review if you gave this a try! I would love to know how it turned out for you.

Other drink recipes you’ll love

Spiced Cherry Orange Mocktail

Healthy Mojito Mocktail

Strawberry Glow Drink

I hope you love this Vanilla Bean Orange Mocktail! Please be sure to leave a comment and a rating if you give it a try. I would love to know how it turned out for you!

Verse of the Day: “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love” – Psalm 33:18

Vanilla Bean Orange Mocktail

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5 from 3 reviews

A fancy yet super easy and healthy mocktail recipe that will leave you wanting more! This Vanilla Bean Orange Mocktail needs just a few ingredients and a few minutes of time and you’ve got a scrumptious drink in hand.

• Author: Christine Manes
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 1 serving 1x
• Category: mocktails

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

11g pure maple syrup (1 1/2 tsp)

1/2 vanilla bean – use a high-quality vanilla bean

3.5 oz fresh squeezed orange juice (about 1 large naval orange or 1 1/2 Cara Cara oranges) – use a GOOD orange for the best flavor!!

1 oz sparkling water – I used San Pellegrino sparkling mineral water

Ice

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Instructions

1. Put the pure maple syrup into a small cup.
2. Use about 1/2 of a high-quality vanilla bean. Cut the vanilla bean in half, then take one of the halves and slice it lengthwise to open it up, but leave one end connected so that you can set it on the side of the glass as a garnish. Carefully scoop out the vanilla paste into the cup.
3. Stir together the vanilla bean paste and the maple syrup very well, until the vanilla is fully incorporated.
4. Add the fresh squeezed orange juice.
5. Add the sparkling water.
6. Fill the cup with ice.
7. Garnish with an orange slice and the the used, split vanilla bean – putting the vanilla bean on the edge of the glass (or in the glass if needed) is so important because it really adds to the vanilla flavor (as you drink it, you smell the vanilla and it takes it to another level!). 
8. Serve with a small stirring stick or spoon in the cup to stir between drinks – the vanilla tends to fall to the bottom of the glass, but easily mixes back in with a quick stir.
9. Enjoy! Please leave a rating and review if you gave this a try! I would love to know how it turned out for you.

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