Cookwithus #5- Tom Yum Mocktail

Whenever I am in Thailand, one of my favorite drinks to order is nam manao, Thai style lemonade. It is actually a limeade since limes are locally grown and not lemons. Nam manao is freshly squeezed lime juice with soda water and some simple syrup. It is refreshing on a hot day and it pairs well with spicy foods. When I saw the cocktail challenge for this week's @cookwithus contest, I immediately thought of making a mocktail using the idea of the lime soda and adding to it some aromatics that are found in a popular Thai soup called Tom Yum. The traditional soup is a hot and sour soup flavored with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal and chilis. I thought the tangy, citrusy, woody and floral flavor profiles of the soup would work really well as a drink, minus the chilis.

Ingredients for one drink:

• 3 kaffir lime leaves, torn into pieces
• 1 1" piece of galangal, cut into small pieces
• 1/2 stick of lemongrass, cut into small pieces
• 1 tbsp of raw sugar or more to taste
• 3 tbsp of freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 bottle or can of soda water

In a tall glass, add the kaffir lime leaves, galangal, lemongrass and sugar. Add in 1/4 cup boiling water. Using a muddler or a spoon, gently crush the herbs releasing the oils which will flavor the drink. If you want the drink sweeter, add in an extra tbsp of sugar and stir until the sugar is dissolved.

Strain the infused water into a new glass, add the lime juice and top with soda water and crushed ice.

This drink can easily be adapted into a cocktail by omitting the sugar and substituting sparkling wine for the soda water . Cheers!