Currant Mood: a blackcurrant and star anise mocktail

Your autumn drinks menu has a currant favourite. Currant Mood combines blackcurrant cordial, a short star anise infusion and Mixed Berry tea, finished with soda and Strawberry popping boba.

The spice is brewed separately, then strained out. That gives you a measured starting point and an easy way to soften it in the next glass. Use the measured Mixed Berry concentrate listed below.

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Check your cordial before pouring

This recipe starts with regular blackcurrant cordial, measured undiluted. Double or triple strength squash is a different product. Check the bottle, note the brand and keep it consistent when comparing glasses. Cordials still vary in sweetness and fruit strength.

Buy whole star anise sold for culinary use. Measure the infusion after straining and cooling, and leave the whole spice out of the finished glass.

Currant Mood recipe

1 drink | 220 ml before ice, boba and garnish | 400 ml glass

Estimated: 10 minutes, plus cooling.

You will need: Kettle, heatproof jug, measuring jug, fine sieve and spoon.

Ingredients for one drink

• 20 ml Tempo Mixed Berry Tea Concentrate

• 100 ml cooled star anise infusion, made below

• 20 ml regular blackcurrant cordial, undiluted

• 80 ml chilled soda water

• 25 g drained Strawberry popping boba

• 60 g ice cubes

• For infusion: 1 food grade star anise and 150 ml boiling water

How to make it

1. Cover the star anise with boiling water. Steep for 5 minutes, strain out the spice and cool fully. Measure 100 ml.

2. Mix the infusion, the Mixed Berry concentrate and cordial. Put boba and ice in the glass, then pour in the mixture.

3. Add soda slowly, stir gently and serve straight away.

Make it your way

For gentler spice, replace 50 ml of the infusion with 50 ml cold water. For less cordial, use 15 ml cordial and 105 ml infusion. Start with the spice adjustment on its own, then compare sweetness in a separate glass if needed.

Is this a blackcurrant shrub?

No. A shrub usually includes vinegar. Currant Mood uses cordial, tea, a spice infusion and soda. There is no vinegar in this recipe.

Which tea concentrate should I use?

Measure 20 ml of Tempo Mixed Berry Tea Concentrate for one glass. Add it with the other measured liquids listed below.

How do I make four glasses?

Mix 80 ml Tempo Mixed Berry Tea Concentrate, 400 ml cooled star anise infusion and 80 ml cordial. Divide this 560 ml mixture between four glasses, each with 25 g boba and 60 g ice. Add 80 ml soda to each glass. Make enough infusion to measure 400 ml after cooling; check the spice strength before serving.

Can I use a prepared Mixed Berry can?

Use the concentrate and liquid measures in this recipe. The Mixed Berry can pairs its prepared tea with Blueberry boba and would need its own recipe.

When should I add the soda?

Add it to each glass at the end. Stir gently and serve straight away. Keep soda out of any sealed shaker.

Check ingredient labels for your own dietary needs. Serve the finished drink straight away and follow product storage instructions for anything left over.

Shop the recipe

Use Tempo Mixed Berry Tea Concentrate and Strawberry popping boba for this recipe.

Tempo Mixed Berry Tea Concentrate

Strawberry popping boba tub

Your glass, your say

Tried Currant Mood? Send us your rating out of five and tell us whether you would make it again. Include the recipe name, the version you used and any changes you made with the amounts.

Was the star anise gentle enough, or would you soften it next time?

Email your feedback to hello@tempoteabar.com. Share a photo on Instagram and tag @tempoteabar too. We’d love to see your version.