Have you ever wanted to have your cake and eat it too?
What if I told you that when it came to cocktails, that this was actually possible?
You don’t have to choose between a delicious cocktail or a healthy lifestyle.
In this article you will find out the truth about the claim that cocktails are healthy.
You will also learn about a variety of different mocktails and a guide on how to make them.
So, let’s get started.
What Is a Mocktail?
According to Wikipedia, a mocktail is a cocktail that is non-alcoholic.
In other words, it is a cocktail made with non-alcoholic ingredients, rather than with alcohol.
The most common ingredients in non-alcoholic drinks are fruit juice, ginger beer, soda, and simple syrup.
The word mocktail is a portmanteau of the words “mock” and “cocktail.”
The term “mocktail” has been in use for over a century though it’s only more recently been popularized.
In the past, most non-alcoholic versions of cocktails were referred to as virgin drinks.
However, the term “mocktail” has mostly replaced older terms like the virgin mojito or Shirley Temple
Why Would You Drink a Non-Alcoholic Cocktail?
Many people are skeptical regarding mocktails. They make statements like, “What’s the point of having a cocktail if it doesn’t contain alcohol?”
Besides the many health benefits of avoiding alcohol, which we’ll discuss shortly, there are a number of practical reasons why someone would choose to drink a mocktail.
Designated Driver
If you’re out with your friends and are not able to Uber home, most likely someone is going to be driving.
While many people drive while under the influence, this is completely illegal and extremely dangerous. Because of this, you shouldn’t drink and drive.
However, with mocktails you don’t have to.
You can still be be part of the group, drink, and enjoy yourself, but without compromising anyone’s safety.
Religious Reasons
Another reason why someone may not drink alcohol is because of a religious commitment.
Many religions have rules which forbid the consumption of alcohol.
However, in some cases, people may be put in a situation when they have to attend a party or a social gathering in which alcohol is served.
In these cases, mocktails are a great option for those who don’t want to compromise their religious beliefs and values.
Safe and Sociable
When it comes to drinking, in some situations, you may think that in order to be social and make friends, you need to drink alcohol.
But, this is simply not true.
Mocktails provide a great way for everyone to feel involved in the gathering, whether consuming alcohol or not. This allows everyone to mix and mingle without anyone standing out.
When everyone drinks the same thing, the social pressure for people who don’t want to drink alcohol is lifted.
They are able to participate in the social dynamic without being made to feel uncomfortable or pressured.
7 Benefits Of Mocktails Explained In Detail
While there are a number of practical reasons why someone would choose to go the alcohol free route by drinking a mocktail, there are also multiple health benefits of avoiding liquor.
Let’s take a look at the top 7 health benefits of drinking mocktails.
1. Nutritious
The first big health benefit of drinking mocktails is that they are more nutritious than traditional cocktails.
Many of the main ingredients of mocktails, like fresh fruit juices, teas, fresh mint leaves, lime juice, and club soda, provide health benefits. As well as avoiding the detrimental effects that alcohol has on your body.
2. No Hangover
When consuming alcoholic drinks, you are basically consuming poison.
This is because the ethanol in alcohol is toxic.
As a result, when you drink, your body’s natural reaction is to absorb the toxic ethanol through the stomach lining, blood, and tissues.
This process leaves your body feeling horrible the next day.
When you drink alcohol, you may experience symptoms like nausea, headaches, and dehydration.
This is why people say that you “feel like crap” after having alcohol.
On the other hand, thanks to the healthy ingredients in most mocktails, people do not experience the negative effects of hangovers after consuming mocktails.
3. Won’t Negatively Impact Decision Making
For good and bad, alcohol affects our personalities.
It typically reduces social apprehension, increases boldness, and decreases personal inhibitions.
On one hand, these can have some positive aspects in opening us up and allowing us to be more social. However, the negative risks tend to outweigh the positive.
Alcohol negatively affects your judgement, makes you more aggressive and increases your chances of doing something you’ll later regret.
Thanks to some newer mocktail recipes, you can now incorporate nootropics and CBD into your non alcoholic drinks, which provides all of the positive social aspects while bypassing the negative side effects.
4. Safe For All Ages
Another huge benefit of drinking mocktails is that they are safe for people of all ages.
You don’t have to worry about setting a bad example for your children.
Mocktails allow your whole family to be part of the fun!
It also means that you no longer have to worry about your children accidentally drinking alcohol.
Mocktails are also great for pregnant women, who don’t want to drink alcohol during pregnancy or harm their unborn child.
5. Non-Addictive
While not all alcoholic beverages are addictive, when consumed in large amounts, alcohol is one of the most addictive substances around.
Alcoholism is a devastating health condition that affects many people around the world.
People who struggle with addiction to alcohol may find it necessary to seek treatment in order to get their lives under control.
However, thanks to the lack of alcohol in mocktails, there is no risk of substance abuse.
6. Doesn’t Affect Sleep
While alcohol makes you sleep, it actually disrupts your sleep cycle.
While waking up throughout the night, you’re less rested for the next day.
This is why it’s so hard to get up and go when you don’t feel rested.
On the other hand, mocktails contain ingredients like tea and honey which help you fall and stay asleep.
7. Diet Friendly
Mocktails are a great option for those who are trying to lose weight.
Many of the mocktails contain zero calories and have a low sugar content.
In addition to being a great beverage for those trying to watch their weight, mocktails are also great for people with diabetes or other sugar-related illnesses.
A Few Simple Mocktail Recipes
Mojito Mocktail
Serving size: 1
Ingredients:
- 10 fresh mint leaves
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 ounce orgeat simple syrup
- 2 ounces non alcoholic rum
- Club Soda
- Ice Cubes
Directions:
- Muddle the 6 mint leaves in the bottom of your cocktail shaker.
- Add in the non alcoholic rum, simple syrup, lime juice, and ice.
- Shake heartily.
- Double strain and then pour into a glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a lime slice and a few mint leaves
Lemon Mint Cooler
Serving size: 1
Ingredients:
- Juice from 1 medium sized lemon
- .5 ounce simple syrup
- 10 fresh mint leaves
- 4 ounces Ginger Ale soft drink
- 4 ounces soda water
Directions:
- Add 6 mint leaves, lemon juice, and simple syrup to cocktail shaker and muddle. For extra citrus flavor, add in some of the lemon fruit in with the other ingredients to muddle (avoid muddling the peel as this will release too much lemon peel oil and cause the drink to become pungent.)
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake heartily.
- Double strain and pour into a glass that is slightly filled with ice.
- Add Ginger Ale and soda water and stir slightly just to mix these ingredients together.
- Garnish with mint leave and lemon wedge or wheel
Piña Colada Mocktail
Serving size: 1
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup frozen pineapple
- 3/4 cup crushed ice (I typically like to use crushed ice because it’s easier to blend)
- 2.5 ounces non alcoholic rum
- 1 ounce cream of coconut
- .5 ounce lime juice
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 ounce coconut water
Directions:
- Blend the pineapple and crushed ice until decently blended (does not need to be smooth yet)
Add in the remaining ingredients. - Blend until smooth and easy to drink through a straw.
- Garnish with a cherry or pineapple wedge.
The Shirley Temple
Serving size: 1
Ingredients
- .5 ounce grenadine
- .5 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
- 5 ounces pre-chilled ginger ale
- 2 Luxardo maraschino cherries
- Orange juice (optional)
Directions:
- Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.
- Add the grenadine and then the lime juice.
- Optional: add a splash of orange juice (this gives the drink a more citrus dynamic).
- Fill the rest of the way up with ginger ale.
- Stir everything together gently until the ingredients are combined.
- Skewer 2 maraschino cherries and place on top of the glass for garnish.
Conclusion
Mocktails are an incredible alternative to alcoholic beverages.
They provide a great way to lower your risk of developing alcohol related health problems.
They are also great for those who are gluten free, looking to lose weight, or are avoiding caffeine.
Additionally, they provide a great way for you to spend time with your family, friends, and significant other.
Thanks for reading this article on Mocktails – An Introduction To Non Alcoholic Cocktails.
I hope you’ve learned something new about these types of non alcoholic spirits.
So here’s to guilty free drinking! – Cheers!
