10 Best Mocktail Ideas For A Diet
As many people nowadays choose to focus on wellness and health, it is little wonder that mocktails are ordered far more frequently and have become the norm. Mocktails not only serve those wanting to remain sober or pregnant women, but also those wishing to cut down on alcohol or give it up for good.
In the UK, it was reported that for the year of 2017, there were around 20% of adults above the age of 16 stated they did not drink alcohol. This article will discuss and present different mocktail recipes that can be made at home.
Nojito
The nojito presents a non-alcoholic twist on this classic cocktail favourite, bringing together the taste of mint, lime and sugar, along with raspberry syrup and some apple juice, this cocktail certainly will leave an impression.
Ingredients:
Sling or Tall Glass
Crushed Ice
Mint (5 leaves, 1 sprig)
Sugar Syrup (25ml)
Lime Juice (25ml)
Apple Juice (25ml)
2 Raspberries
Raspberry Syrup (25ml)
Method:
Add the raspberries into the glass and muddle them into a fine paste. Add the sugar syrup, lime juice and raspberry syrup into the glass. Fill the glass up to around 3/4 with crushed ice. Take the mint leaves and slap them together in the palm of your hand, then add to the glass.
Use a long spoon to mix the raspberry paste and mint leaves through the ice making sure that you stir in an upwards motion, spreading the leaves through the glass.
Top up with apple juice and stir into the mixture until the glass is full and well-mixed. You can use a mint sprig and or lime wedge and raspberries to garnish. This should leave you with a fine red-coloured non-alcoholic beverage with plenty of character to enjoy.
Non-Alcoholic Hurricane
This is another rum classic that bursts with vibrant colour with a very fruity flavour you are sure to get the right dose of vitamin C after this mocktail. Different recipes have different combinations of ingredients, for example, you could swap out the orange juice for pineapple, but here below I will list my opinion of the best combination.
Ingredients:
Hurricane Glass
Cubed Ice
Passionfruit Juice (50ml)
Orange Juice (50ml)
Lime Juice (12.5ml)
Grenadine (25ml)
1 Maraschino Cherry for Garnish
Orange Slice
Soda Water Dash
Method:
Fill the glass with cubed ice. Add in the passionfruit juice and orange juice. Then add the lime juice and mix together well with a long spoon. Top up with a small amount of soda water and then add the shot of grenadine and swirl it around the top of the glass. Garnish with the orange slice and add the maraschino cherry to the top with a toothpick or straw. You should be left with a nice orange and red coloured drink bursting with flavour and character.
The Virgin Mary
This charismatic drink has always featured a strong tomato-backed flavour with lime and seasoning, giving drinkers a savoury option when it comes to cocktails. This cocktail traditionally included vodka which will be left out for the healthier mocktail option.
Ingredients:
Tall Glass
Cubed Ice
Tomato Juice (Approx 200ml)
Lime juice (25ml)
Salt and Pepper
Celery Stick
Lime Wedge
Tabasco Sauce
Method:
There are different methods of making this cocktail which included slowly mixing in a cocktail shaker or building in a glass and mixing with a bar spoon. If you have access to a cocktail shaker you can simply add all ingredients in together with salt, pepper and tabasco sauce to taste and slowly turn and mix the contents then single strain over ice into a tall glass, adding the celery and lime wedge as a garnish.
To build simply pour the tomato and lime juice into a glass, add the salt and pepper and top with tabasco sauce to taste and then mix through vigorously.
You should be left with a red, charismatic and savoury drink, bursting with a spicy tomato flavour.
Non-Alcoholic Dark N Stormy
This cultured cocktail is a simple build and has customizable options depending on your taste for sweetness.
Ingredients:
Tall Glass
Cubed Ice
Ginger Beer (200ml)
Lime Juice (25ml)
Lime Wedge
Fresh Pineapple Juice (60ml)
Method:
Simply fill the glass with cubed ice (some recipes may state crushed ice so this part is up to you), then add around half of the ginger beer, add the lime juice and then fill with the rest of the ginger beer. You can then top up with the pineapple juice and finally garnish with a lime wedge. This will leave you with a strong yet sweet mocktail to enjoy.
Bramble (Bramless)
This gin-inspired cocktail has recently become very popular hitting bar menus frequently. It typically features gin, however, in this version, you can either add alcohol-free gin or leave it out.
Ingredients:
Tumbler Glass
Crushed Ice
Blackberries x2
Sugar Syrup (25ml)
Lemon Juice (25ml)
Blackcurrant Syrup (25ml)
0% Gin (Recommended Tanquery or Gordons 25ml)
Lemon Slice
Method:
Take one blackberry and place at the bottom of the glass. Use a muddler or narrow blunt object to mash it down into a fine paste. Add the 0% gin if wanted along with the sugar syrup and lemon juice. Then add in the crushed ice leaving a little bit of space before the rim of the glass. Top the mixture with the blackcurrant syrup and then garnish with a slice of lemon and another blackcurrant.
Non-Alcoholic White Russian
This famous cocktail as featured in the film 'The Big Lebowski' is a big hit among fans of both the film and coffee liqueur. It traditionally features vodka and Khalua as core ingredients however this recipe will see these flavours substituted for healthier options.
Ingredients:
Tumbler Glass
Cubed Ice
Coffee Syrup (25ml)
Cream Soda or Vanilla Soda (100ml)
Single Cream (50ml)
Chocolate Powder
Method:
Add the cubed ice into the glass. Then add the soda and coffee syrup. Top the mixture up with single cream and then stir. Coat the top of the glass with a light amount of chocolate powder to taste. You should be left with a healthy alternative to this famous cocktail, optionally you can add sugar syrup if the flavour is not sweet enough.
Mint Berry Smash
This wild berry inspired mojito/blueberry smash inspired drink will leave you with the fresh taste of mint and blueberry, a colourful and fruity drink filled with antioxidants and vitamins, you will be glad you selected the non-alcoholic option.
Ingredients:
Tall Glass or Sling
Crushed Ice
Raspberries (3)
Blueberries (3)
Raspberry Syrup (25ml)
Mint Leaves (5 leaves, 1 sprig)
Lime Juice (25ml)
Apple Juice (25ml)
Soda Water Dash
Method:
Place 2 blueberries and 2 raspberries at the bottom of a tall glass or couple. Mash down into a fine paste. Take 5 mint leaves and slap together, then add-in. Add the lime juice, raspberry syrup and apple juice and then insert the crushed ice. Take a long spoon or bar spoon and mix the contents up and down the glass enduring the fruit blent and mint leaves are proportionately spread throughout the glass.
Top the mixture up with a small amount of soda water and then garnish with a mint sprig, one blueberry and one raspberry.
Virgin Strawberry Daquiri
This popular rum-based drink is packed with vibrant red colour and is typically served frozen, although it can also be made with cubed ice. A perfect way to enjoy this unique drink without the effects of a hangover.
Ingredients:
Hurricane Glass
Crushed Ice
Strawberry Puree (200ml)
Strawberries (3)
Sugar syrup (25ml)
Lime Juice (25ml)
Lime wedge
Dash Lemonade/Soda Water
Method:
Take the hurricane glass and place two strawberries at the bottom, then muddle at the bottom. Then add the strawberry puree, lime juice and sugar syrup. Add in the crushed ice and stir the contents throughout the glass vigorously. Top up with a dash of lemonade or soda water and mix vigorously with a tall spoon. Ensure the contents are well dispersed and mixed.
Garnish on top with a strawberry and lime wedge.
Non-Alcoholic Long Island Iced Tea
This famous drink supposedly originating from Long Island in 1972 has a fairly high alcohol content and only a small amount of mixer. This version is way healthier and certainly won't carry the same intoxicating effects as the original.
Ingredients:
Tall Glass or Sling
Cubed Ice
Sugar Syrup (25ml)
Lemon Juice (25ml)
Lemon Slice
English Breakfast Tea (1 cup)
Dash Diet Cola
Method:
Brew the tea and set it aside to cool for approx 15 to 20 minutes. Add cubed ice to a tall glass. Fill the glass halfway with the tea, add the sugar syrup then lemon juice. Top up with a dash of diet cola (or lemonade). Stir together with a long spoon. Finally, garnish with a lemon slice.
Sangria Hibiscus Tea
This healthy twist on a classic Portuguese drink is bound to inspire you and engage with you further in the world of non-alcoholic drinks.
Ingredients:
Tumbler Glass
Cubed Ice
Hibiscus Tea (1 Bag)
Apple Slice (4)
Orange Slice and Peel (4)
Hot Water
Method:
Brew the hibiscus tea with boiling water and then add the apple and orange slices into a large pitcher. Add a small amount of cold water and leave it to cool in a refrigerator. After approximately 30 minutes remove the mixture and serve in a tumbler glass over cubed ice. Garnish with an apple and orange slice.