Mocktails to Savor All Summer Long

One of the biggest trends in beverages these days is the rise of the mocktail. Also called spirit-free drinks, alcohol-free mocktail options have been popping up on menus and on store shelves for the past few years. In fact, over the past two years, non-alcoholic beverages have been the third-fastest-growing beverage category in the US.

Good for your health, your wallet, and your waistlines, mocktails have come a long way from seltzer splashed with fruit juice over ice. Here is a sampling of five options to enjoy, by anyone and any time.

Virgin Mojito

Ingredients:

- 10 fresh mint leaves

- 1/2 lime, cut into 4 wedges

- 2 tablespoons white sugar

- 1 cup ice cubes

- 1/2 cup club soda

- 1/2 cup lemon-lime soda

Instructions:

1. Place mint leaves and 1 lime wedge into a glass.

2. Use a muddler to crush the mint and lime to release the mint oils and lime juice.

3. Add 2 more lime wedges and the sugar, and muddle again to release the lime juice.

4. Do not strain the mixture. Fill the glass almost to the top with ice.

5. Pour the club soda and lemon-lime soda over the ice.

6. Stir, taste, and add more sugar if desired.

7. Garnish with the remaining lime wedge and a sprig of mint.

Sparkling Berry Lemonade

Ingredients:

- 1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)

- 1 tablespoon sugar

- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

- 1 cup sparkling water

- Ice cubes

- Mint leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, mix the berries with the sugar and let sit for 10 minutes to macerate.

2. In a blender, blend the berries until smooth.

3. In a glass, combine the berry puree with the lemon juice.

4. Add ice cubes and top with sparkling water.

5. Stir gently and garnish with mint leaves.

Cucumber Cooler

Ingredients:

- 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced

- 1/2 lemon, thinly sliced

- 1 teaspoon sugar

- 1 cup water

- 1 cup ice cubes

- 1 cup tonic water or club soda

- Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a pitcher, combine the cucumber slices, lemon slices, and sugar.

2. Add water and stir until the sugar dissolves.

3. Add ice cubes and top with tonic water or club soda.

4. Stir gently and garnish with fresh mint leaves.

Pineapple Ginger Mocktail

Ingredients:

- 1 cup pineapple juice

- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger

- 1 tablespoon honey

- 1 tablespoon lemon juice

- 1/2 cup club soda

- Ice cubes

- Pineapple slices for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine the pineapple juice, grated ginger, honey, and lemon juice.

2. Shake well until the honey is dissolved.

3. Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the pineapple mixture over the ice.

4. Top with club soda and stir gently.

5. Garnish with pineapple slices.

Mango Mint Fizz

Ingredients:

- 1 ripe mango, peeled and diced

- 1 tablespoon sugar

- 1 tablespoon lime juice

- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves

- 1 cup sparkling water

- Ice cubes

- Mint sprig and mango slice for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a blender, puree the mango, sugar, lime juice, and mint leaves until smooth.

2. Fill a glass with ice cubes.

3. Pour the mango mixture over the ice.

4. Top with sparkling water and stir gently.

5. Garnish with a mint sprig and a slice of mango.

Russell Carrier is the nutrition and dinning kitchen manager at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center