SET UP A FRESH FRUIT AND MOCKTAILS SHOP THIS SUMMER

It’s finally the summer holidays, which means no more home schooling. We think that deserves some kind of celebration, don't you agree? And we've got the perfect idea for you. Some lovely mocktail recipes that kids will love, and that we can feel good about as parents because they're nice and healthy and packed full of fresh fruit.

The Sixpence Play Shop makes a brilliant fruit and mocktail market stall. Simply add fruit themed bunting and little boxes full of the fresh produce that you're going to use in your yummy drinks. Colourful, reusable ice cubes are also a big hit with children. 

Little ones will love taking it in turns to be the shop owner or the customer and choosing a fancy mocktail from the menu. They can even 'buy' additional fruit to cut up and add to their drinks. It's a great way to get them to try new tastes in a fun, playful environment.

Here are four of our favourite mocktail recipes, chosen because they're a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. Why not play a game and see if your child can guess which mocktail is which by the colour first and then taste?

RASPBERRY LEMONADE SLUSHIES

You will need:
(serves 6)

600g frozen raspberries
Juice of 3 lemons
225ml soda water
9 ice cubes
3 tbsp agave nectar

Simply put all of the ingredients in to a blender or food processor and blitz until you get a smooth slush. Divide between six jars or cups to serve.

FRUIT PUNCH

You will need:
(serves 6)

375ml apple juice
375ml pineapple juice
750ml sparkling water
Seeds from 1 pomegranate
Reusable ice cubes

This is a nice and easy one for kids to make. Add the apple juice, pineapple juice and sparkling water to a large jug and stir. Add the ice cubes and then top with the pomegranate seeds. Serve straight away.

CUCUMBER, LIME & ELDERFLOWER CORDIAL

You will need:
(Serves 6)

250ml elderflower cordial
One and a half cucumbers
600ml soda water
Juice of 4 limes
Handful of mint sprigs
Reusable ice cubes

Using a vegetable peeler, remove the skin from the whole cucumber and then peel off four long strips of flesh. Roll each one up to make cucumber roll garnishes. Roughly chop the rest of the cucumber and put in to a food processor with twelve mint leaves - blitz to a pulp.

Tip the pulp into a fine sieve and using a wooden spoon, press as much juice as possible into a bowl. Mix the minty cucumber juice, elderflower cordial and lime juice in a jug, and then top up with soda water.

Pour into six glasses filled with ice cubes and garnish each with a mint sprig, your cucumber rolls and a straw.

PINA COLADA MOCKTAIL

You will need:
(serves 6)

400ml pineapple juice
400ml coconut milk
Juice of 1 lime
4 tsp icing sugar
Lime slices to garnish

Make this one extra fun for the kids by using a cocktail shaker. Otherwise, whisk all of the ingredients (except the garnish) together in a jug, and then pour into a 1 litre bottle and chill. When cool, shake the bottle to mix everything together and serve in your best glasses with slices of lime.

Which one would you like to try first?