5 Healthy Cocktail Recipes

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 high in calories but provides no beneficial nutrients, apart from what is often a fair amount of sugar), but it can also disrupt the feeling of fullness and influence our food choices. And THE trend of the moment is mocktails!

The word mocktail comes from the English word “mock” (to imitate), and the idea is to recreate the most iconic cocktails without adding alcohol, putting the emphasis on the healthy side while 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 flavour pairings between fruit, vegetables, spices, herbs, sparkling water and more.

Light, alcohol-free cocktails: the golden rules

A light cocktail is first and foremost an alcohol-free cocktail, designed to stay light. In the recipes below, the fruit juices are always pure juice with no added sugar. Keep this habit for all your own creations, bearing in mind that pure juice is still naturally sweet: go for freshly squeezed orange juice whenever you can and top up your drinks with sparkling water.

To add flavour without adding sugar, make the most of fresh fruit, herbs such as mint, spices such as vanilla, or a squeeze of lime. If a recipe calls for a little sugar, as the Virgin Mojito does, you can easily use less to suit your taste.

Want to brighten up your aperitifs and impress your friends? Here are a few healthy cocktail recipes!

Recipe 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 2: Exotic Light Cocktail

Dreaming of a getaway? This mocktail with exotic flavours 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 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 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 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.

Frequently asked questions

What is a mocktail?

It’s an alcohol-free cocktail that recreates the flavours of a great classic (mojito, spritz, piña colada…). The word comes from the English “mock”, meaning to imitate.

Is an alcohol-free cocktail always light?

Not always: fruit juices, syrups and lemonade contain sugar, even without alcohol. To keep things light, choose pure juices, top them up with sparkling water and add sugar to taste.

Can I prepare these mocktails in advance?

Yes for the bases, such as the vanilla-infused juice or the mango purée, kept in the fridge. Add the sparkling water, the fizz and the ice at the last minute to keep the bubbles and the freshness.

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