Summer is all about fun in the sun, spending time with your friends and loved ones, and enjoying delicious food and drink courtesy of the bountiful summer harvests. For many people, this means indulging in a few (or more than a few) cocktails and other drinks. However, this might not be the best for your health!
There are many reasons that people decide to go dry temporarily or permanently, or even just to cut back on their alcohol consumption. They might be trying to help their mental health, improve their energy levels, lose weight, or deal with a hormonal change like menopause. Regardless of reasoning, cutting back on alcohol can be extremely beneficial to one’s health. Still, that doesn’t mean that you have to cut back on the fun!
If you’re worried that you’ll feel left out avoiding the drink cooler or bar at your next summer get-together, learning how to whip up a good mocktail could be just the thing you need! These drinks are delicious, grown-up, and totally zero-proof. Don’t be surprised if you find you don’t miss the booze at all– and if everyone else is asking you to make one for them, too!
Cucumber Spritzer
If you like drinks that are light and refreshing without being too sweet, this one’s for you. Mix together cucumber juice (which you can find ready-made, or make yourself by blending together cucumber and water and then straining), lime juice, club soda, and a little simple syrup and serve it over ice. This drink is incredibly easy to personalize, too! Swap out the cucumber for any other kind of juice, switch club soda for ginger beer or nonalcoholic sparkling wine, try a different type of citrus, or use flavored cordials or syrups in place of simple syrup for sweetness. You can even add muddled herbs like mint or dill for more complex flavors.
Watermelon Agua Fresca
When you want something quenching and delicious to beat the summer heat, nothing can top the Mexican staple agua fresca. This drink is as simple as it gets– blend together water, sugar, lime juice (or any other citrus), and a fruit of your choice. Watermelon, pineapple, mango, and berries are popular options. You can strain out the pulp and seeds if you so desire, then serve chilled for some delicious hydration! Experiment with different combinations of fruit for different flavors, and try adding club soda if you like a little fizz. For a sophisticated flavor that’ll put you in mind of fancy cocktails, try watermelon and basil!
Virgin Margarita
Few things taste better than a margarita on a hot summer day, but if you’re skipping the alcohol, you can still enjoy this classic drink! Combine lime juice, orange juice, simple syrup or agave, and a little club soda or seltzer water and serve over ice. Don’t forget to rim your glass with lime and salt for the true margarita experience, and try to opt for fresh-squeezed juice if you can to give the best flavor! You can even try adding some zero-proof tequila if you can find it, but this mocktail is just as delicious without it.
Sunrise or Breeze Mocktails
Famous summer drinks like tequila sunrises, bay breezes, and sea breezes rely on juices and syrups to do a lot of their heavy lifting. When you leave out the alcohol, you’re left with a fruity and delicious mocktail that will have you wanting another glass! These drinks are easy to make and even easier to order at a bar. Simply mix orange, pineapple, or cranberry with grenadine as you see fit, and leave the alcohol to the side. Adding bitters or herbaceous flavored syrups can be a good way to make the drink feel a little more mature, or cut through the sweetness if that’s what you prefer!
Giving up alcohol this summer might be just what you need to take control of your health, and with delicious mocktails like these, you’ll never miss it! If you want to learn more about ways to boost your hormonal health, you can read more on our blog here.