Sonoma summer: Mocktails anyone?

Summertime is here in Sonoma Valley, and with fruit being bountiful in our back yards around the Valley of the Moon, we can enjoy the flavors of the season. Right now, we have fresh peaches, watermelon, blackberry and blueberries all in season right here. We are lucky to live and work in a community where we know our farmers.

Starting with fresh summer fruits, our family has enjoyed experimenting with mocktails and here are four of our favorites for you to enjoy at home. Each one is simple to create and seasonally delicious.

Look through your cabinets and choose a few unique glasses that stand out to you for use as your mocktail glass.

Honey Peach Spritzer

Yields 2 mocktails

2 tablespoons fresh peach puree

2 teaspoons honey

Nasturtium blossoms

12 ounces sparkling water

Fill glasses with ice, add in peach puree, honey and sparkling water. Stir and garnish with nasturtium blossoms.

For a cocktail, add in 4 ounces Champagne.

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Blueberry Basil Spritzer

Yields 2 mocktails

2 tablespoons fresh blueberry puree

4 leaves basil, julienned

1 teaspoon simple syrup

12 ounces sparkling water

Fill glasses with ice, add in blueberry puree, simple syrup and sparkling water. Stir and garnish with blueberry skewer and basil leaves.

For a cocktail, add 4 ounces Bourbon.

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Seared Watermelon Spritzer

Yields 2 mocktails

2 wedges watermelon, seared

2 tablespoons watermelon puree

1 teaspoons simple syrup

4 mint leaves

12 ounces sparkling water

Fill glasses with ice, add in watermelon puree, simple syrup and sparkling water. Stir and garnish with mint leaves.

For a cocktail, add 4 ounces vodka.

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Blackberry Basil Aperitif

Yields 2 mocktails

2 tablespoons blackberry puree

1 teaspoon simple syrup

4 basil leaves

12 ounces ginger beer

Fill glasses with ice, add in blackberry puree, simple syrup and ginger beer. Stir and garnish with basil leaves.

For a cocktail, add 4 ounces bourbon

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Fruit Puree

Yields ½ cup

2 tablespoons fresh fruit

2 tablespoons simple syrup

Puree in blender until smooth

Simple Syrup

Yields ½ cup

¼ cup sugar

¼ cup water

In a small pan, over low heat simmer water and sugar for 10 minutes and allow to cool.

Store in a sealed jar in refrigerator for up to 1 month.