Mocktails are the new cocktails! Find your favourite Mocktail recipe here.
Summer is here and that calls for socialising, be it at weddings, holidays or a simple BBQ in the garden. However, as we all know, socialising also goes hand-in-hand with a tipple or two, and it can often feel instinctual to reach for a cool beer or spritzer on a warm summer’s day…
However, if you are taking control of your heart health, you may want to limit your intake of alcohol. While moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with certain health benefits, it is crucial to recognise that the risks associated with alcohol consumption outweigh the potential advantages.
Alcohol can raise a person’s blood pressure, lead to weight gain and interfere with medications prescribed for heart-related conditions. While some studies have linked a reduction of heart disease to moderate consumption of alcohol, this does not apply to conditions such as stroke and vascular dementia and alcohol is linked to some types of cancer. You can read more about this on the British Heart Foundation website here.
It is, therefore, a good idea to avoid alcohol, or if you do drink, ensure that you do not exceed 14 units a week (about seven small 175ml glasses of average 12% strength wine). While you can switch over from alcohol to sugar-free soft drinks, kombucha or sparkling water with fruit, homemade mocktails are delicious and feel more indulgent at events such as garden parties.
Remember to stay hydrated if you are having alcohol especially if you are planning on joining in with one of the Cardiac Lauren exercise classes!
So, get out your cocktail shaker and enjoy these 5 homemade mocktail recipes, to be enjoyed in moderation.
NB: Monk Fruit sweeteners
In order to keep these refreshing mocktail recipes lower in calories, we suggest using monk fruit sweeteners instead of sugar or syrups. Monk fruit sweetener, also known as monk fruit extract, is a natural sweetener derived from the monk fruit, a small melon-like fruit native to southern China. One of the main advantages of monk fruit sweetener is that it provides a sweet taste without the calories or impact on blood sugar levels. It can be a suitable alternative for those who need or prefer to limit their sugar consumption.
It is important to note, however, that monk fruit is much sweeter in taste than sugar, and therefore smaller quantities are needed.
Feel free to adjust the sweetness or tartness of these recipes to suit your taste preferences.
Table of Contents
1. Virgin Mojito
Ingredients:
- 6-8 fresh mint leaves
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- 1 teaspoon of monk fruit sweetener
- Soda water
- Crushed ice
Recipe:
- In a glass, muddle the mint leaves and lime wedges to release their flavours.
- Add the monk fruit sweetener and crushed ice to the glass.
- Top it off with soda water and stir gently.
- Garnish with a sprig of mint and a lime wedge.
- Serve and enjoy!
2. Strawberry Lemonade Spritzer
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon of monk fruit sweetener
- Sparkling water
- Ice cubes
Recipe:
- In a blender, puree the strawberries, lemon juice, and monk fruit sweetener until smooth.
- Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the strawberry mixture over the ice.
- Top it off with sparkling water and stir gently.
- Garnish with a strawberry slice or lemon wheel.
- Serve and enjoy!
3. Pineapple Coconut Mocktail:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup coconut water
- 2 tablespoons of lime juice
- 1 teaspoon of monk fruit sweetener
- Pineapple wedge for garnish
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- In a shaker, combine pineapple juice, coconut water, lime juice, and monk fruit sweetener (if desired).
- Shake well to mix the ingredients.
- Fill a glass with ice cubes and strain the mixture into the glass.
- Garnish with a pineapple wedge.
Serve and enjoy!
4. Cucumber Mint Refresher:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cucumber, sliced
- 8-10 fresh mint leaves
- 1 tablespoon of lime juice
- 1 teaspoon of monk fruit sweetener
- Soda water
- Ice cubes
Recipe:
- In a blender, puree the cucumber slices, mint leaves, lime juice, and monk fruit sweetener until smooth.
- Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the cucumber mint mixture over the ice.
- Top it off with soda water and stir gently.
- Garnish with a cucumber slice and a sprig of mint.
Serve and enjoy!
5. Watermelon Basil Cooler:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of watermelon, cubed
- 4-5 fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon of lime juice
- 1 teaspoon of monk fruit sweetener
- Soda water
- Ice cubes
Recipe:
- In a blender, blend the watermelon, basil leaves, lime juice, and monk fruit sweetener until well combined.
- Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the watermelon-basil mixture over the ice.
- Top it off with soda water and stir gently.
- Garnish with a basil leaf or a small watermelon wedge.
Serve and enjoy!
So there you have it: 5 alcohol-free cocktails to keep you cool and refreshed this summer. Remember that unless you have been instructed by your doctor, it is fine to occasionally indulge in alcohol… but for now, cheers to these tasty, non-alcoholic ‘tipples’!
