The world is getting more health conscious by the day, and everyone is looking for alternatives to their favourite meals drinks without losing the taste or compromising their health. Mocktails and cocktails are often seen as a symbol of celebration and indulgence but the downside is the excess sugar and high calorie contents. Thankfully, there are now zero-sugar and low calorie options that you can indulge in without guilt.
Cocktails and mocktails often feature in social gatherings or quiet evenings/nights at home or when just lounging at the pool/poolside. Click here for tips on how to host a poolside party. Â Just as original recipes of these all-time favourites are popular and readily available, their zero-sugar, low-calorie alternatives are also readily available.
In this article, we explore the world of these alternatives, their benefits and also share a couple of recipes so stay with us…
Health Benefits of Low-Calorie, Zero-Sugar Cocktails and Mocktails
More and more people are making the switch to these healthier alternatives for reasons that even go beyond reducing sugar intake and cutting down calories. Find below details of some of these reasons and their health benefits:-
Supports Weight Management
One of the foremost reasons why people opt for these alternatives is to enhance their weight management journey. It is common knowledge that cocktails laden with sugar can add tons of calories that you do not need to your diet and more so if you are one that loves to indulge whether at home or social events. Therefore going for the low calorie alternatives prevents you from scuttling your weight loss and maintenance goals.
Reduces Sugar Intake
Many diseases and health issues can be traced to excessive consumption of sugar and these include heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer. So choosing to take only zero sugar beverages/drinks saves you the risk while still delivering the enjoyment you get from refreshing drinks.
You can use sweeteners like monk fruit, stevia and erythritol to make these healthier options because they provide the sweetness without the attendant negative effects that comes with refined sugar.
Prevents Hangovers
One thing many people do not take note of about cocktails without sugar is that the harshness of hangovers can be reduced. This is because sugar can dehydrate a person and aggravate the effects of alcohol, which makes the person feel ill the next day. So when you avoid these sugary mixes, and go for the alternatives that contain little or no refined sweetness you’re more likely not to get dehydrated and would not experience the headache that comes the next day.
Improved Hydration
Many of these healthier drinks are made with ingredients such as herbal teas, coconut water or sparkling water as their base. These drinks are not only flavourful but also help you keep you hydrated all evening long. This is in contrast to their counterpart made with refined sucrose that can dehydrate you leading to sluggishness and discomfort.
Click here for some ideas/recipes that you can try out with friends and family.
Customizable Flavours
Health conscious mocktails and cocktails can be made to taste which allows you to play around with different combinations of flavours without fear of added sugar or calories. Whether you are preparing a refreshing mojito or citrusy margarita, you can customize your drink with sugar-free mixes, sweeteners or fresh herbs. This flexibility is a strong advantage that allows you to cater to different dietary and health needs and goals.
Common Ingredients for Low-Calorie, Zero-Sugar Cocktails and Mocktails
Making a healthy drink that will deliver the right punch as per sweetness and flavour requires using the right ingredients in the right quantities. Â Find below some popular ingredients that can be used to make these healthier alternatives:-
Fresh Fruits and Herbs
Fresh fruits like citrus, melons and berries are very great for infusing natural flavour and sweetness into mocktails and cocktails without sugar. Herbs like rosemary, basil and mint also helps to elevate the profile of these drinks without increasing the calorie count.
Natural Sweeteners
These alternatives to sugar include monk fruit, stevia and erythritol and they add the right level of sweetness to your drink while keeping the calories low. Additionally, they will not spike the drinker’s blood sugar which makes it ideal for people suffering from diabetes or have to follow a low carb diet.
Sparkling Water
Sparkling water is a very versatile ingredient that’s commonly used for healthier beverage alternatives. It comes in different flavours and adds that refreshing buzz to your drinks without the added calories or refined sugar. The various flavours make it easy to customize the drinks according to individual taste.
Alcohol Alternatives
Alcohol alternatives are a great option for mocktails. There are many brands that offer spirits that although they imitate the flavours of rum, gin or whiskey, are actually alcohol-free. These options are also mostly low calorie drinks and contain zero-sugar. This therefore makes them an ideal choice for making high-class mocktails.
Sugar-Free Mixes
Many of the traditional mixes out there like fruit juice, soda and tonic water are usually high in sugar content. Thankfully however, there are readily available options that are sugar-free with the same great taste but minus the refined sucrose content. You can find products like Pax cocktail and mocktail mixes and other products from reputable brands in grocery stores or even online. Just look out for the sugar-free varieties of ginger beer, lemonade or tonic water and ensure that they are from trustworthy brands.
Sample Recipes for Low-Calorie, Zero-Sugar Cocktails and Mocktails
Before we round up this piece, we will share just two recipes as samples of what we have discussed above for you to try out at home. These drinks are flavour-packed and quite easy to make and best of all; no extra sugar or calories.
Skinny Margarita
Although the conventional margarita can have high calorie content, this recipe is light and refreshing which is why it is called the ‘skinny’ margarita:-
Ingredients:
- 3 Tablespoons or 9 Teaspoons of Tequila
- Fresh Juice from 1 Lime
- Splash of orange-flavoured sparkling water or 1 Tablespoon of Orange Juice
- A few drops of Stevia or 1 Tablespoon of Agave Syrup
- Ice Cubes
- Sparkling Water for extra fizz (Optional)
Instructions:
- Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake very well and pour into an ice-filled glass with a rim of salt.
- You can top with sparkling water if you want.
- Garnish with a wedge of lime.
Zero-Sugar Mojito Mocktail
This version captures the true essence of a conventional mojito without the sugar or alcohol and it is also quite refreshing.
Ingredients :
- Fresh Mint Leaves
- Lime Juice (from 1 lime)
- 1 Teaspoon of Stevia or Erythritol
- Ice
- Sparkling Water
Instructions:
- Combine and lightly mash the mint leaves, erythritol and lime juice in a glass.
- Add the ice and add the sparkling water.
- Stir and garnish with a wedge of lime and extra mint leaves.
Conclusion
This article has provided a guide to enjoying cocktails and mocktails with zero-sugar and low calories. We have explained the benefits of these healthier ways of enjoying these drinks without compromising both taste and your health and have even shared two sample recipes. So if you are on a weight loss journey or just looking to embrace a healthier lifestyle you can try out these recipes and enjoy guilt-free refreshing drinks.