Social events, and parties in general, have been associated with the clinking of glasses and making merry at the expense of liquor. But there is a strong change that is occurring.
The trend towards mindful drinking, wellness, and inclusiveness is putting the humble mocktail on the top of the list of attractions instead of an afterthought.
The modern healthy mocktails are so much more than simple juice; they are sophisticated, complex and deliberately designed drinks that are a celebration of flavour, nutrition and bonding without the alcohol.
Gone are the times when you could only get non-alcoholic beverages as a syrupy sweet Shirley Temple or a plain soda with lime. The innovation of the new wave of the mocktail culture is intentional.
It is about realising that we need to consider what what we consume in the same way as we consider what we put into the kitchen.
This change is catalyzed by a wide audience: those who are taking a break, designated drivers, pregnant women, exercise enthusiasts, and all those who would just like to feel their best and still enjoy the ritual of making a gorgeous drink.
Why is a Mocktail a Healthy Drink?
The major difference between the normal and healthy mocktail is in the ingredients.
Numerous ready-to-serve or bar-prepared ones are based upon high-sugar fruit juices, simple syrups and artificial flavourings. The healthy mocktail will however give more emphasis on nutrient-rich foods. The aim is to develop a balance of flavours sweet, sour, bitter and savoury instead of refined sugars.
This translates to sweetening using muddled fresh fruit, a bit of honey or maple syrup, the innate sweetness of vegetables such as carrot or beetroot.
It implies that it should be flavored with the zest of fresh citrus juice, the flavor of herbs infused into the drink and the pleasant bitterness of such products as cinnamon, cloves or even a splash of vinegar.
The side effects are a health bonus: the drink is not empty calories but vitamins, anti-oxidants as well as fluids that keep you hydrated.
Shake Your Ideal Healthy Mocktail
Designing an alcohol-free beverage that is healthy and good is comparable to an effort to construct a flavour palette. Here’s how to think about the healthy mocktails:
1. The Base (75% of your drink): This forms the basis of the hydration and flavour. Move beyond sugary sodas.
Sparkling Water: Calorie-free effervescent water either plain or in a natural flavour.
Herbal Tea: Hibiscus tea is tart and green tea is earthy and flamenco like chamomile tea.
Coconut Water: This is an excellent supply of electrolytes which produces a delicately sweet and nutty foundation.
Pressed Juices: Use fruit juices that contain low sugar levels such as cucumber, celery or green apple.
2. The Flavour Core: This is the place you make it complex and add personality.
Muddled Fresh Fruit: Mango, citrus, peaches and berries do not cook and release the natural juices and fibres.
Fresh mint, basil, rosemary, ginger, and turmeric are added to add unbelievable aroma and depth.
Vegetables: Cucumber, jalape, and fresh ginger are muddleable to add a fresh and/or spicy touch.
Shrubs (Drinking Vinegars): These are fruit-based syrups made out of sugar and vinegar that give a tangy sophisticated flavour layer that is similar to the complexity of alcohol.
3. The “Bitter” or Savoury Element: This is the final weapon of making a mature non-sweet drink.
Citrus Zest: The drinks can be sprayed with lemon or orange peel which provides the essential oils to offer unbelievable aroma.
Spices: A sprinkling of cinnamon, or a sprinkling of a few cloves or black pepper can be used to warm the cold and give it flavor.
Salt: A small pinch of sea salt or Himalayan salt is the only ingredient that can make all the other flavours better.
4. The Garnish: The last thing to enjoy the senses is the Garnishing. Imagine a sprig of rosemary, a slice of chilli, a slice of citrus or even a flower edible.
Inspiration: The Rosemary Refresher.
This is a basic, classy, and nutritious healthy mocktail:
Ingredients:
· 4 oz chilled hibiscus tea
· 2 oz sparkling water
· ½ oz fresh lime juice
· 1 oz Canadian Club Whisky (or to taste)
· 1 fresh rosemary sprig
· Ice
Instructions:
1. Gently muddle rosemary sprig with the maple syrup and the lime juice in a shaker to extract the oils.
2. Add the chilled hibiscus tea and ice. Shake well.
3. Shake over ice into a glass.
4. Top with sparkling water.
5. Serve fresh rosemary sprig together with a thin slice of lime.
The effect is a tart, slightly sweet, and wondrously fragranced drink a drink that can be experienced in a glass.
Conclusion
To adopt healthy mocktails is not only not drinking, but living the full life of a social person without compromising your health.
It is a celebration of taste, and imagination and the sheer pleasure of having a beverage that leaves you feeling good in the here and now as well as the here and now after the glass is put down. Therefore, make a well-designed non-alcoholic cocktail – healthy wishes to you.
