Everyone loves a delicious mixed beverage, but health and dietary restrictions sometimes prevent people from drinking alcohol. Aside from the obvious short-term adverse effects such as hangovers and digestive problems, booze has many long-term health consequences that many people aren’t aware of.
Despite alcohol’s unhealthiness, even the most disciplined fitness enthusiasts still crave a hard drink from time to time. If you’re currently having this dilemma, here are five of the best nonalcoholic cocktail recipes that fit any diet.
1. Lavender Lemonade
This refreshing mocktail looks like a simple glass of strawberry lemonade at first glance, but a lot more lies behind its pinkish appearance. Here are the ingredients and directions to complete the recipe.
Ingredients
- 6 cups of water
- 1 cup of freshly strained lemon juice
- 1/2 cup of raw honey
- 5 tablespoons of dried lavender
- Ice
Directions
- Mix the water and honey in a pot and bring to a boil.
- Once the water is boiling, turn the burner down to medium heat.
- Crush the lavender and add it to the pot, then turn off the heat.
- Cover and refrigerate the mixture for at least two hours.
- Strain into a glass of lemon juice and serve on the rocks.
This mocktail is arguably the healthiest on the list. Lemon juice is packed with potassium, vitamin C and natural sugars. Raw honey is a superfood, containing loads of antioxidants that help your immune and digestive systems. It’s also a great source of quick energy, so this drink is sure to give you a boost.
2. Mango Mule
If you’re a fan of the traditional Moscow mule, you’ll love this easy mocktail recipe. It puts a clever twist on Russia’s favorite mixed drink to create one of the best nonalcoholic cocktail recipes around.
Ingredients
- 4 cucumber slices
- 1.5 ounces of mango puree
- 1.5 ounces of lime juice
- 1.5 ounces of ginger beer
- 1 ounce of honey syrup
- Ice
Directions
- Put the cucumber slices and honey syrup at the bottom of a cocktail shaker.
- Pour the mango puree and lime juice over the cucumber slices and honey syrup.
- Add ice and shake well.
- Strain the mixture into your favorite mug, top with ginger beer and serve.
Mangos and cucumbers are healthy and delicious alternatives to vodka or gin. Their flavors are surprisingly complementary with the ginger beer, which provides the essential carbonation that makes this mocktail feel like a true mixed drink.
3. Raspberry Fizz
Alcohol abstainers often feel left out at social gatherings, especially when someone makes a toast. Instead of toasting with water or ginger beer, the raspberry fizz is the perfect nonalcoholic toasting drink for every occasion.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces of raspberry syrup
- 4 ounces of red grapefruit juice
- 4 cups of chilled club soda
- 2 cups of crushed ice
Directions
- Pour all ingredients into a large pitcher.
- Mix until the raspberry syrup is fully diluted.
- Add crushed ice, pour into a champagne glass and enjoy.
The final result should look like a pinkish glass of champagne. Raspberry and grapefruit are some of the strongest citrus flavors around, so this drink tastes like a true authentic cocktail.
4. Pineapple Cobbler
The pineapple cobbler is one of the most flavorful and refreshing mocktails around. It consists of three fruit juices that make for a delicious triumvirate.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces of pineapple juice
- 1 ounce of strawberry juice
- 1/2 ounce of lime juice
- Strawberry for garnish
- Club soda
Directions
- Pour the lime and pineapple juice into a cocktail shaker and shake well.
- Strain into a highball glass, then add ice and club soda.
- Carefully pour the strawberry juice on top so it doesn’t mix with the pineapple and lime juice.
- Add a strawberry garnish and serve.
The highball glass is crucial for making this recipe work. The final result should look yellow at the bottom and reddish orange on top. This mocktail might not have any alcohol, but its colorful appearance makes it fun to prepare and consume.
5. Wildcat Cooler
The wildcat cooler is one of the best nonalcoholic cocktail recipes for one simple reason: sugar. Alcohol is so addictive partly because the high sugar content helps trigger the brain’s endorphin system. This drink also has lots of sugar, triggering a less intense but still pleasurable brain reaction. Sugary mocktails are the best kind.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce of blueberry syrup
- 1 cup of blueberries
- 1 cup of freshly strained lemon juice
- 1 cup of water
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 cup of crushed ice
Directions
- Put the blueberries, sugar and water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil.
- Once the water is boiling, turn down the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
- Strain the solid particles from the warm water.
- Pour the lemon juice into a cup and top with the crushed ice.
- Pour the blueberry syrup on top of the ice, making sure not to mix with the lemon juice.
- Carefully pour the warm water into the glass until full.
As the drink settles, the blueberry syrup will sink to the bottom and slowly create a dark purple color. These two fruits make for a surprisingly delicious pairing you’re sure to enjoy.
You Don’t Need Alcohol to Have Fun
Although alcohol admittedly makes people more outgoing in most social settings, that doesn’t mean it’s necessary to have fun. These five easy and refreshing mocktails are great substitutes for alcoholic beverages, helping you stick to your social commitments and long-term health goals at the same time.