Summer is here, and with it comes the urge to go out, enjoy aperitifs with friends and sip delicious refreshing cocktails. But there’s a catch: alcoholic cocktails are often very high in calories. So here are 5 healthy cocktail recipes that are just as tasty and festive.
What is a healthy cocktail?
It is, of course, a cocktail without alcohol, which does nothing good for the body. Not only is it a source of empty calories (in other words, it is very high in calories but provides no beneficial nutrients, apart from a huge amount of sugar that is directly stored as fat), but it also disrupts the feeling of fullness and influences our food choices (for the worse!). And THE trend of the moment is mocktails!
The word mocktail comes from the English word “mock” (to imitate), which means recreating the most iconic cocktails without adding alcohol, while highlighting the healthy side and still keeping the festive feel. You may also come across alternative terms such as “soft cocktails” or “virgin cocktails” to describe these ultra-sophisticated and incredibly delicious drinks. And make no mistake: this is not simply a matter of mixing a few fruit juices. Mocktails require real thought and are built around flavor pairings between fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, sparkling water and more.
Want to brighten up your aperitifs and impress your friends? Here are a few healthy cocktail recipes!
Recipe No.1: Mixed Berry Mocktail
A first recipe that is indulgent and elegant! To make two glasses of this light cocktail, you will need:
- 40 cl cranberry juice (pure juice, no added sugar)
- One vanilla pod
- 200 g of mixed red berries of your choice – strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, redcurrants…
- A few mint leaves
- Crushed ice
This recipe takes a little time, but the result is absolutely fantastic:
- Pour the cranberry juice into a saucepan. Split the vanilla pod and place it in the juice.
- Bring to a boil to infuse the vanilla.
- Remove from the heat, take out the vanilla pod, strain and chill.
- Then prepare some crushed ice – a few ice cubes in the blender and that’s it!
- Put it into the glasses, then add some red berries to each one.
- Finally, top with the infused cranberry juice and finish with a few mint leaves for decoration.
Recipe No.2: Exotic Light Cocktail
Dreaming of a getaway? This mocktail with exotic flavors will transport you. To make it (for 2 people), you will need:
- One large mango
- 200 ml of pineapple juice (pure juice, no added sugar)
- The juice of one lime
- Sparkling water
The method is very simple:
- Peel the mango and remove the flesh, then place it in a blender.
- Add the pineapple juice and the lime juice.
- Blend everything together. Top up with sparkling water depending on your desired texture.
- Put ice cubes in the glasses and pour in the mixture.
Recipe No.3: Virgin Spritz
If you are a true Spritz lover, you’ll be pleased to know there is an alcohol-free version that is just as delicious. To make it, you will need:
- 5 cl alcohol-free bitter (such as Venezzio, Cinzano or Bitter-Kas)
- 5 cl alcohol-free sparkling drink
- 4 cl orange juice (pure juice, ideally freshly squeezed, with no added sugar)
- 5 cl of lemonade
- Ice cubes
Then follow these steps:
- In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, pour in the bitter, orange juice and lemonade.
- Close the shaker tightly and shake for a few seconds to combine everything evenly.
- Pour the drink into a glass and top up with the alcohol-free sparkling drink.
- Serve immediately.
Recipe No.4: Virgin Colada
A taste of sweetness awaits with this alcohol-free version of the Piña Colada. For two glasses, you will need:
- 10 cl orange juice (pure juice, ideally freshly squeezed, with no added sugar)
- 10 cl pineapple juice (pure juice, no added sugar)
- 10 cl coconut milk
- Ice cubes
- A slice of pineapple and desiccated coconut for decoration
Then simply:
- Pour the different liquids into a shaker.
- Shake vigorously.
- Prepare some crushed ice and pour it into the glasses.
- Top with the cocktail.
- Serve with a slice of pineapple and sprinkle with a little desiccated coconut.
Recipe No.5: Virgin Mojito
You were waiting for it (yes, yes, we know), and here it is: the soft version of the Mojito, without rum. To make it, you will need:
- 5 to 7 cl apple juice (pure juice, no added sugar)
- A handful of mint leaves
- 1 lime
- Sparkling water
- 1–2 tsp brown cane sugar
- Crushed ice
The method is as follows:
- Cut the lime into thin slices and place them in the glass.
- Add the brown sugar.
- Using a muddler, crush the lime with the sugar to create a citrusy syrup.
- Add a few fresh mint leaves and gently crush them.
- Pour in the apple juice and add crushed ice.
- Finally, top with sparkling water and decorate with lime and mint.