5 mocktails for mindful drinkers

Alcohol is a common ingredient in Australia, but drinking too much can lead to a lot of nasty short and long-term effects, ranging from anxiety and depression to kidney damage (not to mention a nasty hangover).

But ditching booze doesn’t mean you need to miss out on all the fun, especially when there are so many great alcohol-free alternatives!

Deciding to go alcohol-free has its benefits. But if you do choose to drink, it’s a good idea to do so in moderation.

The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends that healthy adult women and men should have no more than 10 standard drinks a week, and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.¹

But the less alcohol you drink, the lower your risk of harm from it will be. Having even 2 alcohol-free days a week can benefit your health. And giving alcohol the flick for an entire month can have huge positive effects.

Going alcohol-free can also benefit your waistline. According to Bupa Dietitian Rosalyn D’Angelo, alcohol is “energy-dense". Meaning, it can translate to kilojoules. For context, drinks with both alcohol and a high sugar content, like a piña colada, can contain up to 2,000 kilojoules, which is roughly the same amount of energy as a hamburger.

If you’ve decided to give up boozy beverages, or you simply want to cut down on your drinking, mocktails can be a delicious and healthier alternative.

Non-alcoholic drinks also work well for those on medication, pregnant women or those simply looking for an inclusive whistle-wetter on social occasions.

However, to ensure you’re choosing a healthy option, D’Angelo says you need “to be mindful of the ingredients used in mocktails, as some can contain high amounts of sugar”.

Here are 5 great mocktails to enjoy on any fun, booze-free occasion.

This fruity, fizzy mocktail is bursting with delicious tropical flavours, making it perfect for a hot summer’s day.

• 50ml passionfruit purée
• 2 fresh passionfruit (use pulp)
• 100ml mango juice
• 400ml sparkling apple juice or sparkling water
• Ice cubes
• 1 lime to garnish

1. Place the passionfruit purée, pulp and mango juice into a jug and stir until combined.
2. Pour into a glass, filling each glass about two-thirds full.
3. Top up each glass with sparkling apple juice or sparkling water to add some fizz, then stir gently. Garnish with a slice of lime.

This classic mocktail gets a healthy hit of freshness with watermelon, lime and mint.

• 2 cups fresh watermelon cubes (seedless)
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 tbsp honey (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 cup sparkling water or soda water
• Ice cubes
• Fresh mint leaves to garnish

1. In a blender, add the watermelon and blend until smooth.
2. Pour the watermelon juice through a fine mesh strainer to remove any pulp. This step is optional, but it can result in a smoother mocktail.
3. Transfer the watermelon juice to a serving jug, add fresh lime juice and honey, then stir well.
4. Fill serving glasses with ice cubes.
5. Pour the mixture into each glass until about two-thirds full.
6. Top up each glass with sparkling or soda water to add fizz, then gently mix together. Garnish with fresh mint leaves.

With the sweet, tropical flavour of mango and fizz of sparkling water, this mocktail is a perfect alternative to a traditional Bellini.

• 1 ripe mango, peeled and cubed
• 1 tbsp honey (adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 cup sparkling water or soda water
• Ice cubes
• Fresh mint leaves to garnish

1. In a blender, add the mango, honey and fresh lime juice, then blend until you have a smooth and creamy purée. If the purée is too thick, you can add a splash of water to achieve your desired consistency.
2. Fill serving glasses with ice cubes.
3. Fill each glass with purée until about two-thirds full.
4. Top up each glass with sparkling water to add some fizz, then gently mix. Garnish with fresh mint leaves.

This winter hero is the perfect booze-free drink to warm you up on those cold nights.

• 4 cups cranberry juice
• 4 cups apple juice or zero-alcohol apple cider
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 orange, sliced
• 2cm piece of ginger, peeled and sliced
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 or 3 star anise pods
• 4 whole cloves
• Optional: 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
• Cinnamon sticks to garnish

1. In a large pot or saucepan, combine the cranberry juice, apple juice or zero-alcohol cider and orange juice. Add desired sweetener (optional) and stir well.
2. Drop in the cinnamon stick, whole cloves and star anise pods.
3. Place the pot over a medium heat and bring the cider to a gentle simmer. Be careful not to let it boil, as this may affect the flavours.
4. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and let the cider gently simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes, allowing the spices to infuse.
5. Remove the pot from the heat and discard the cinnamon stick, cloves and star anise pods, then add the orange slices to the pot.
6. Carefully serve into mugs and garnish with cinnamon sticks.

Elderflower is so lush; you’ll never be able to tell this cocktail is alcohol-free.

• 1/2 cup elderflower cordial (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tbsp honey (adjust to taste)
• 1 cup frozen mixed berries (such as strawberries, blueberries and raspberries)
• 2 cups sparkling water
• Ice cubes
• Fresh mint leaves and lemon slices to garnish

1. In a serving jug, combine the elderflower cordial, lemon juice and honey. Stir well.
2. Add the frozen mixed berries and let the mixture sit for a few minutes. The frozen berries will chill the mocktail and infuse it with a fruity flavour as they thaw.
3. Fill serving glasses with ice cubes.
4. Pour the mixture (including the berries) into each glass, filling them about two-thirds full.
5. Top up each glass with sparkling water to add some fizz and stir gently. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and lemon slices.