Lunar Eclipse Sour – A Coconut Water Mocktail & Cocktail
Drink to the magic and mystery of the moon turning red with this lunar eclipse cocktail and mocktail. This sour-based recipe uses rosemary, coconut water, lemon, and is finished with a red float to match the symbolism of this eerie moon.
This post may contain affiliate links to products I use and suggest. As an Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Table of contents
Drinking to the Lunar Eclipse
Discoloring the moon, lunar eclipses are surrounded by superstition and myth. While intense, they can reveal opportunities for deep healing but also spiritual power for those willing to dig deeper.
A lunar eclipse can only occur during a full moon. It requires a particular alignment between the sun, earth, and moon—just right so that the moon passes through earth’s shadow, turning various shades of red. (A perfect metaphor for bringing what hides in our subconscious, to the surface.)
Learn magic for every lunar occasion.
I cover it ALL in my book the Modern Witchcraft Book of Moon Magick.
If full moons are powerful times of culmination and emotional release, then the power of a lunar eclipse is threefold. The lunar eclipse stirs our inner work, unveiling our shadows and revealing what it is time to release.
Powerful energetic markers of change and transformation, the energy of a lunar eclipse may inspire shifts that can affect us for the following 6 months. Some find the amplified energy to be unpredictable, erratic. Others, empowering.
I wanted a recipe that captured the essence both visually, but also thematically through the symbolism of ingredients. Also, since the moon is associated with water, what better way to mark the moment than with a lunar eclipse drink?
The base of the recipe is pretty straight forward. But there’s a lot you can personalize and add to make it your own—for whatever the lunar eclipse is triggering for you. Let’s get into the ingredients, substitutions, and options.
Eclipse season can hectic. If you need a quick & easy spell, I suggest my Midnight Pyre ritual. As a new mother, this has been my go-to for fast rituals recently.
Ingredient Breakdown
For a lunar eclipse recipe, I wanted ingredients associated with or tied to the moon in some way. I also wanted to communicate my take on a lunar eclipse: somewhat challenging, but ultimately bringing us back to ourselves in some way.
This lunar eclipse drink presents two options: either a vodka cocktail with red wine for those who partake in alcohol, or coconut water mocktail with pomegranate for those who are alcohol-free.
- Lemon – Did you know the moon is actually “lemon” shaped? In magical practices, lemon is not just associated with moon but also cleansing—a MUST for lunar eclipse themes!
- Rosemary (rosemarinus – dew of the sea) is named for the Mediterranean sea cliffs where it grows in abundance. It’s clearing association in modern witchcraft plus it connection with sea side (and thus lunar tides), makes a great choice for a lunar eclipse-inspired cocktail and mocktail duo.
- Simple Syrup is necessary to balance the citrus of the recipe. You can use store bought, or make it easily at home by mixing equal parts sugar and hot water.
- Coconut water (cocktail enjoyers can also use coconut rum instead if desired) helps give this recipe a milky moon-colored base. Plus, coconut is associated with the moon, spiritual purification and psychic abilities in magical practices.
- Egg white is an optional (but recommended) ingredient. It helps balance the citrus in sour-style recipes.Magically, egg is associated with new beginnings, used for cleansing rituals, and its shell ground up into a protective powder called cascarilla.
Cocktail-Specific Ingredients
- Vodka gives this lunar eclipse cocktail a clear base. Given that vodka is defined by its clarity and high proof in distillation, it was a natural choice for the themes of this recipe. For the nonalcoholic version, I do end up using a gin replacement, so I wonder how a gin might do here. Especially since the clarifying associations of juniper can also do well for eclipse themes. But I honestly cannot remember if I tested it when I made this recipe sometime ago. So if you try it, let me know how it works!
- A Red Float atop this recipe echoes the moon’s blood red covering, symbolic of the subconscious eclipsing our reality. I used red wine with the vodka for the cocktail version. But as you will see in the mocktail version, I also achieved this (very carefully) with pomegranate juice. If you want to try this, please read my mocktail-specific notes below.
For another eclipse recipe, check out my White Wine Eclipse recipe and how to make eclipse spheres for easy drink magic!
Making it Nonalcoholic (Mocktail Options)
If you’re choosing to go alcohol-free, this recipe makes a great coconut water mocktial too! For the mocktail version, you have a few choices depending on whether you’re using non-alcoholic spirits or not.
- Instead of vodka, I found Free Spirits Gin worked fantastically. I’m becoming a big fan of this one! It blends superbly in recipes.
- If you’re not using nonalcoholic spirits, you can forego the vodka and any replacements. Instead, simply double the recipe—with one caveat. The recipe will be sweeter as-is. So, I recommend you start with less simple syrup and add slowly to taste as needed.
- For a red float atop this coconut water mocktail, you have a few options:
- You can use De-alcoholized red wine. If you’re not up for getting a whole bottle to just layer a small amount, I don’t blame you.
- Instead, try pomegranate juice. Be mindful though—it is hard to layer it atop the drink unless you do so very slowly using the back of a spoon to lessen it’s speed. But it IS possible. Pomegranate is associated with the goddess Persephone, who as a result of eating 6 seeds had to stay in the underworld 6 months of the year. This is a metaphor for transversing the dark, perfect layering for this coconut water mocktail for the lunar eclipse!
- Cranberry also works and will layer mush more easily. However, it offers more of an orange-y color. Cranberry is associated with protection, if the magical properties matter to you.
If mocktails are your thing, I wrote a book just for you! Learn how to make every mocktail, magical with Mystical Mocktails:
- 60 magical mocktail recipes
- Learn how to customize and make your own
- Uncover the ritual and magic of your mocktails, just as they are
Tips & Variations Quick Reference
- Egg white is optional
- If using egg white, shake without ice first. Then add ice and shake with it. If not using egg white, just shake with ice.
- Simple Syrup is quick and easy to make at home—just measure sugar and hot water separately, then mix together.
- Substitute red wine for pomegranate juice
- Cranberry also works—but the layered will be orange instead
- Carefully layer pomegranate and red wine into the drink using the back of a spoon to very slowly add it into the drink (watch social post for an example)
- Start with less simple syrup and add more to taste as necessary. Ingredients can vary the sweetness, especially when making the mocktail version. You can always add more syrup later, but you cannot detract it once added.
Did you try something different or have an idea? Be sure to share for others!
Lunar Eclipse Sour Recipe
Lunar Eclipse Sour
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In your shaker, add rosemary, simple syrup, lemon, and coconut water. Add vodka for cocktail, or nonalcoholic replacement if using.
- If using egg white, dry shake first by shaking without ice.
- Add ice and shake.
- Strain into stemmed glassware. Lower a spoon upside down to the drink, so that its tip touches the surface of the drink where it meets the glass. Slowly pour your red wine or pomegranate juice on the back of the spoon. Go EXTRA slow for pomegranate juice. It should layer at the top of the drink.
- Garnish with a rosemary sprig.
Notes
**If making mocktail version without nonalcoholic spirit, you may want to double recipe to make up the lost volume.
***Pomegranate float—as per instructions, you will add this as a float. Pomegranate juice, however, can likely sink to the bottom. You will still get a layered separation, but just know if you do not carefully control the pour, it will likely sink. You can also use cranberry juice instead, just note it might be more light in color.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Ritualizing the Recipe
If you’re looking for a lunar eclipse ritual, this recipe can easily be crafted with intention. Here’s how to ritualize the steps for something quick, easy, and tasty:
- Think on what this eclipse has stirred for you, and your intention moving forward.
- In your shaker, add rosemary for cleansing release with the lunar tides and simple syrup.
- Squeeze lunar lemon to cleanse and uplift, then add soothing coconut, and vodka (for cocktail).
- If adding egg white, hold your egg and reflect on what you’re cleansing. Crack the egg while thinking on what you’re rebirthing. Carefully drip the egg white into the shaker and discard the yolk. Save the egg shells for making cascarilla, if desired.
- Dry shake without ice first. Then add ice, shake and strain into a coupe glass.
- Slowly layer a float of red wine or pomegranate or cranberry juice for mocktail (see notes above) by pouring into the drink via the back of a spoon. As you watch the red eclipse the milky white of the lunar eclipse drink, decide what meaning you’re integrating from this eclipse.
- Garnish with a rosemary sprig, which you can smoke for additional clarity and cleansing.
- Use the rosemary (if not burning) to stir the recipe, integrating the red and white. Add more syrup or citrus as needed.
Happy Eclipse season to you! May the odds be in your favor.
You May Also Like
Taurus Moon Whiskey Sour
White Wine Cocktail – The Eclipse
