6 mocktails to try this holiday season
‘Tis the season for holiday gatherings. At many social events, the bar is the focal point and having a drink in hand helps partygoers feel better equipped to loosen up and socialize.
In recent years, “mocktails” and non-alcoholic drinks have been growing in popularity, and for good reason. While conventional wisdom used to state that a glass or two of wine could be good for you, the World Health Organization said earlier this year that when it comes to alcohol consumption, there is no safe amount that does not affect health.
Last year, sales of non-alcoholic spirits grew a whopping 116% to $4.5 million in the U.S., according to NielsenIQ. At that same time, alcoholic spirit sales slipped about 1% to just under $21 billion. There are even no-alcohol bars popping up in cities across the country, such as Umbrella Dry Bar in Raleigh and Da Kine’s Kava in Durham.
As an internist and obesity medicine specialist, I’ll happily toast the holiday season with a mocktail and encourage my patients to do the same, for several reasons. First, alcohol-laden cocktails can fill your body with empty calories and reduce your inhibitions, encouraging you to eat and drink more than you typically would. Next, alcoholic mixed drinks and wines contain a lot of sugar. When you consume more sugar, your body will release more insulin to remove it from your blood. However, your body will only burn fat when it senses your insulin level is dropping, not rising, which is one reason why alcohol sabotages weight loss efforts. Finally, alcohol can wreak havoc on your sleep cycle, which can have a negative impact on your weight loss and wellness goals.
The good news is, there are more options than ever when it comes to mocktails, allowing us to indulge in a fun drink while staying healthy at the same time.
6 mocktail recipes to try
Below are a few favorite recipes from the True You Weight Loss nutrition team. Cheers to good health in 2024!
Sparkling Pomegranate Limeade
Makes 8 Servings (Approximately one cup)
5 Minutes to Prepare
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 2 ½ cups sparkling water
- ½ cup lime juice
- ¾ cup monk fruit sweetener
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds
- ½ oz. thyme springs (for garnish, optional)
Directions
- Combine the water, sparkling water, lime juice, monk fruit sweetener and pomegranate seeds in a jug.
- Serve into glasses and garnish with a sprig of thyme
Notes
Best enjoyed immediately but can be refrigerated for up to four days. For best results, add sparking water just before serving.
Nutrition
Amount Per Serving
- Calories 13
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 21g
- Fiber 1g
- Sugar 1g
- Protein 0g
- Cholesterol 0mg
- Sodium 3mg
Classic Virgin Sangria
Makes 1 Serving
2 Minutes to Prepare
Ingredients
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- ¼ lemon (juiced, plus slices for garnish)
- ¼ cup frozen berries
- 2 ice cubes
- 3 fl. oz. cranberry juice
- 2 fl. oz. soda water
Directions
- Add all of the ingredients into a glass and stir to combine. Garnish with lemon slices, if using. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Amount Per Serving
- Calories 84
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 22g
- Fiber 1g
- Sugar 19g
- Protein 1g
- Cholesterol 0mg
- Sodium 15mg
Virgin Berry Margarita
Makes 2 Servings
10 Minutes to Prepare
Ingredients
- 2 tbsps coconut sugar
- 1 lime (juiced)
- 2 cups frozen berries
- 10 ice cubes
- 2 tbsps maple syrup
- 1 pint soda water
Directions
- Put the coconut sugar in a shallow bowl. Take a lime wedge and run it around the rim of the glass. Dip the rim of the glass into the coconut sugar, being sure to cover the rim. Repeat the process until all of your glasses are rimmed with coconut sugar.
- Add the berries, ice, maple syrup, soda water and remaining lime juice to a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Garnish with lime wedges and enjoy!
Nutrition
Amount Per Serving
- Calories 168
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 44g
- Fiber 6g
- Sugar 36g
- Protein 1g
- Cholesterol 0mg
- Sodium 53mg
Mulled Cider
Makes 12 Servings
30 Minutes to Prepare
Ingredients
- 3 quarts apple cider
- 2 tbsps star anise (whole)
- 5 cinnamon sticks
- ½ cup frozen cranberries
- ½ navel orange (sliced)
Directions
- Add all of the ingredients into a large pot and bring to a simmer over medium- high heat. Drop the heat to low once the pot is simmering and continue to simmer for 30 minutes.
- Pour into glasses or mugs and enjoy!
Nutrition
Amount Per Serving
- Calories 120
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 28g
- Fiber 3g
- Sugar 23g
- Protein 1g
- Cholesterol 0mg
- Sodium 19mg
Pomegranate Thyme Mocktail
Makes 2 Servings
5 Minutes to Prepare
Ingredients
- ½ cup pomegranate juice
- 2 tbsps maple syrup
- 4 large ice cubes
- 2 cups sparkling water
- ¼ cup pomegranate seeds
- ½ oz. thyme sprigs
Directions
- Divide the pomegranate juice and maple syrup into glasses. Stir to combine. Add the ice then top each with sparkling water and pomegranate seeds. Garnish with thyme. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Amount Per Serving
- Calories 73
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 18g
- Fiber 2g
- Sugar 14g
- Protein 1g
- Cholesterol 0mg
- Sodium 12mg
Cranberry Orange Mocktail
Makes 2 Servings
5 Minutes to Prepare
Ingredients
- 4 large ice cubes
- 4 fl. oz. cranberry juice
- ¼ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- 2 tbsps maple syrup
- 1 cup sparkling water
- ½ cup frozen cranberries
- ¼ navel orange (cut into wedges)
Directions
- Divide the ice cubes, cranberry juice, orange juice, and maple syrup into glasses. Stir to combine. Top each with sparkling water and cranberries. Garnish with orange slices. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Amount Per Serving
- Calories 80
- Fat 0g
- Carbs 21g
- Fiber 1g
- Sugar 17g
- Protein 1g
- Cholesterol 0mg
- Sodium 5mg
Dr. Christopher McGowan is an Obesity Medicine Expert and founder of True You Weight Loss in Cary, the nation’s first dedicated endobariatric weight loss center, which offers a comprehensive range of non-surgical procedures and support services. For more information visit https://trueyouweightloss.com/.
