Congratulations! We have arrived to the annual weekend that kicks off the summer and welcomes the lazy days of summer. Even if you still are working, there is a different kind of vibe that seems to spill over from the weekend. We seem happier and easier going. Popping over and enjoying some mid-week backyard patio time seems delightful compared to after work winter invitations when many of us just want to head home and resume hibernation.
The trick to keeping this whole spontaneous backyard thing fun for everyone is having a few quick and easy drink ideas in your back pocket for when guests arrive.
Mocktails are fancier and can be healthier, if you follow my suggestions, than handing someone a soda can.
Step 1: Choose Your Base
Kombucha – fermented tea with probiotic activity, supports digestion & contains far less sugar than pop
Sparkling Water – carbonated water, no sodium or sugar
Ginger Beer – alternative to ginger ale, often more natural ingredients and less sugar; since it has a stronger flavour, you use less
100% Fruit Juice – avoid fruit ‘beverages & cocktails,’ that often contain additional sugars, colourings & flavours
Tea – herbal, green, black – look for natural options without added artificial flavours; brew ahead of time and keep cold in the fridge
Step 2: Consider Your Sweetener
Not all mocktail recipes require any additional sweetener. This will depend on your taste buds.
Stevia – Can be up to 400x sweeter than refined sugar & doesn’t adversely affect blood glucose levels. Stevia has a unique flavour & tastes bitter to some. The poorer the quality of the leaf the more bitterness is evident in the taste.
Simple Syrup – ½ c raw honey or 1 cup raw organic sugar to 1 cup water – gently heat mixture to dissolve. Store in a glass mason jar in the fridge. Shake gently before using.
Step 3: Make it Fancy
Add frozen fruit of your choice.
Garnish with mint leaves & citrus slices.
Tips
Make ice cubes out of fruit juice to avoid diluting your drink.
Leftover mocktail? Turn it into a healthier frozen treat option.
Photo by Andy Holmes on Unsplash
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