Alcohol: it’s the indulgence we hate to love. Somehow a party just isn’t a party without those glasses of sparkling, colored beverages that help loosen people’s inhibitions. But in addition to alcohol not providing any real nutrition, it is loaded with extra calories. And worse, because your body prioritizes metabolizing the alcohol, burning those calories takes a back seat! (Klonopin) (Letting them pile up as fat!)
Some alcohol in moderation won’t completely derail your weight loss efforts, but if you’d rather kick back and relax at your next party, here are 5 of our members’ favorite non-alcoholic versions of popular drinks. Now can join the fun and stay on track!
Jun’ & Tonic (and Maybe Mock-jito)
Based on Gin & Tonic, this refreshing drink brings out the classic flavor with juniper berries, from which gin is derived. Add some mint leaves for a mojito-style touch.
Ingredients
Jun’
- 2 cups / 480 ml water
- ¼ cup / 20 g juniper berries, lightly crushed
- Optional seasonings*
Tonic
- 1 Tbsp. / 15 ml cinchona bark extract
- ¼ cup / 60 ml fresh lime juice + slices of fresh lime for garnish
- 2 cups / 480 ml plain carbonated soda or mineral water, chilled
*Optional seasonings
- 1 inch / 2½ cm square of cassia bark
- 1 inch / 2½ cm piece liquorice root
- 1 inch / 2½ cm piece lemon grass
- 1 inch / 2½ cm piece angelica root
- 1 Tbsp. / 7 g raw almonds, chopped
- 1 tsp. / 2 g black peppercorns, cracked
- ½ tsp. / 1 g lemon or lime zest
- ¼ tsp. / 1 g coriander seeds
- ¼ tsp. / 1 g ground orris root
- To make a mock mojito: 10 fresh mint leaves
- 4 tsp. / 20 g xylitol (optional)
Instructions
- Combine first 4 ingredients plus sweetener (if desired) in a 1½-quart/liter lidded pot, and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Turn off heat, cover, and allow to steep for at least 30 minutes. Set aside to cool completely.
- When cooled, strain and add lime juice and carbonated water. Stir or shake with ice to combine.
- Serve in a quart/liter pitcher or cocktail glasses, with slices of lime for garnish.
Serving size:
1 cup / 240 ml
‘Tini-totaler
Even without alcohol, we like our ‘tinis shaken, not stirred.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (3 cups) / 454 g fresh grapes of choice, preferably those used for wine-making
- 3 cups / 720 ml water
- ¼ cup / 20 g juniper berries, lightly crushed
- 1 Tbsp. / 15 ml cinchona bark extract
- Optional seasonings*
- 1 cup / 240 ml crushed ice
- 6 green olives for garnish
*Optional Seasonings
- 1 inch / 2½ cm piece angelica root
- 1 inch / 2½ cm piece of cassia bark
- 1 inch / 2½ cm piece of gentian root
- 1 inch / 2½ cm piece lemon grass
- 1 inch / 2½ cm piece liquorice root
- 1 Tbsp. / 7 g raw almonds, chopped
- 1 Tbsp. / 15 g angelica seeds
- 4 star anise
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 vanilla bean
- 1 Tbsp. / 2 g marjoram
- 1 Tbsp. / 6 g orange zest
- 1 Tbsp. / 6 g orris root powder
- 2 tsp. / 5 g black peppercorns, cracked
- 1 tsp. / 2 g cardamom pods
- 1 tsp. / 4 g coriander seeds
- 1 tsp. / 5 g nutmeg
- 1 tsp. / 2 g yarrow
- ½ tsp. / 1 g cloves
- ½ tsp. / 1 g lemon or lime zest
- 2 tsp. / 20 g xylitol (optional)
- 2 tsp. / 20 g coconut sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Puree grapes with water
- Pour pureed grapes into a 2-quart/liter lidded pot, and add juniper, cinchona, optional seasonings, and sweetener (if desired). Bring to a boil over medium heat./li>
- Turn off heat, cover, and allow to steep for at least 30 minutes. Set aside to cool completely.
- When cooled, strain.
- Shake with crushed ice and strain before serving.
- Serve in a quart/liter pitcher or cocktail glasses, with olives for garnish.
Serving size:
5 fl oz / 150 ml
Piña-Papaya Colada Shake
One of the most popular drinks in the world is the inspiration for this rich treat, upgraded with papaya to double the enzyme benefits.
Ingredients
- ½ cup / 90 gm fresh, frozen, or canned-in-juice (drained) pineapple, chopped
- ½ cup / 70 gm papaya, chopped
- ½ cup / 120 ml low-fat coconut milk
- ½ cup / 120 ml organic grass-fed or vegan milk
- ½ tsp. / 1¼ ml vanilla extract
- ½ tsp. / 1¼ gm Stevia or monk fruit sweetener
- 2-3 ice cubes
Instructions
- Blend for 30 seconds to a minute, or until desired consistency.
- Serve immediately. Garnish with a pineapple slice, if desired
Serving size:
1 cup / 240 ml
Merry Mary Mocktail
This shake is a healthy take on a Bloody Mary cocktail, alcohol-free but just as flavorful and even more antioxidant-rich.
Ingredients
- ½ cup / 55 gm cauliflower, finely chopped
- 1 vine-ripened tomato or ½ cup / 80 gm cherry tomatoes, chopped
- ¼ cup / 25 gm celery and leaves, chopped
- ¼ cup / 60 ml organic low-salt tomato juice
- ¼ cup / 60 ml miso broth, cooled
- 2 Tbsp. / 30 ml fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp. / 7 gm ground flax seeds
- ¼ tsp. / 1¼ ml Tabasco sauce (optional)
- ¼ tsp. / 1¼ ml Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 2-3 ice cubes
- 1 Slice of lemon for garnish
Instructions
- Pour the liquids into a blender, followed by the solids. Blend for 1 minute, until desired consistency is reached.
Serving size:
1 cup / 240 ml
Pink Grapefruit Mocktail
The pink champagne cocktail has just been upgraded to an alcohol-free, antioxidant-rich refresher.
Ingredients
- 1 cup / 240 ml fresh-squeezed pink grapefruit juice
- ½ cup / 75 gm fresh seedless grapes, halved
- ½ cup / 90 gm pomegranate kernels
- Stevia or monk fruit sweetener to taste
- 2-3 ice cubes
Instructions
- Blend for 30 seconds until smooth. Serve as is or mixed with unflavored soda water.
Serving size:
1 cup / 240 ml
There you have it – 5 non-alcoholic drinks that are sure to be the life of the party! Now put on your bartender’s apron and let’s get this party started.