You may have read about Dry January, a 30-day commitment when many “sober curious” folks decide to eliminate alcohol from their food and drink intake. If you are one of the many who have committed to Dry January, there’s good news. Due to the movement’s popularity, it’s easy to find recipes and ideas to give you something to drink while socializing or replacing an end-of-the-day cocktail routine.
It’s very important to know not all mocktails are as healthy as you think, and just because they lack alcohol doesn’t mean they are contributing to the optimal health of your body. Through research and taste trials, here are three top mocktails we recommend and why.
1.) Strawberry Orange Mango Kombucha
Prep time- 10 minutes
Servings- 3
Ingredients:
2 16-ounce bottles original unflavored kombucha
2 cups 100% orange-mango juice
1 ripe mango- peeled, pitted and chopped
2 cups fresh strawberries
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a large pitcher and stir. Serve and enjoy!
How does this concoction help you? Kombucha is the secret ingredient in this Vitamin C-packed drink. The Mayo Clinic reports kombucha offers probiotic supplementation, boosts your immune system, and prevents constipation. Kombucha, according to Kathleen Zellman, a registered dietitian with a master’s in public health, rids your body of toxins, boosts your energy, and may help you lose weight.
2.) Paloma with Grapefruit Juice
Prep time- 5 minutes
Servings- multiple based on the amount of ingredients selected
Ingredients:
Grapefruit juice
Lime juice
Maple syrup
Sparkling water
Instructions:
Step 1: Add the grapefruit juice, lime juice, and maple syrup together and stir.
Step 2: Fill a glass with ice.
Step 3: Pour the mixed ingredients into the glass and top off with sparkling water and a slice of lime or grapefruit.
What benefits does a Paloma with Grapefruit Juice hold? This tasty, sweet, and tart beverage leaves out the standard tequila but is high in Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that serves your immune system, regulates blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and helps you stay hydrated. In a June 2023 article from Medical News Today, registered RN and dietician Katherine Marengo outlines these and additional benefits of grapefruit juice.
3.) Fizzy Ginger Lemonade
Prep time- 10 min
Servings- 1
Ingredients:
Two tsp. freshly grated ginger
Two tbs. fresh lemon juice
I cup water kefir
5-8 drops Stevia (to taste)
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a pint-size Mason jar
Cover tightly and shake well
Pour over ice
Why drink this? It’s paleo and keto-friendly and a true health powerhouse now that we face the peak of cold and flu season. The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger are widely known. According to an NIH research article published in November 2022, ginger has both analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects on the body. The same study confirmed that ginger helped reduce nausea.
In a review published by Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity in 2019, lemons reduce inflammation as well, boost your heart’s health, help you absorb iron, have a low glycemic index, and help you stay hydrated.
Fresh ginger provides an antioxidant called Gingerol, which John Hopkins Medical studies show boosts one’s gastrointestinal mobility.
