One of the most enjoyable aspects of summer is the opportunity to "play" with friends and family. Yes, we said play---you may not be in a sandbox, but we like to play even as grown-ups. It can include outdoor sports, picnics, reunions, camping, star-gazing, or lounging by the pool for the summer enthusiast. Though varying levels of energy fuel this list of activities, you have to remember to consume plenty of liquids, making sure that you're staying hydrated. It is recommended that adults consume 9 to 13 cups of water a day, and in the summer, your hydration needs go up, just like the thermometer.
The best news is that all beverages hydrate, including caffeine, so you can vary it up with flavored water, juices, tea, coffee, diet soda, and more. If you're finding for something with more punch to make sure you're clear-headed, can drive, and stay on track to shed a few pounds, your libation of choice may be a non-alcoholic beverage.
History Of Mocktails
Mocktails are alcohol-free and were initially created as the best versions of traditional cocktails. They've been around since the days of Prohibition but began to pick up steam in the 1960s and 1970s, according to cocktail historian David Wondrich. As artisan foods and craft beverages have designed a niche in the food world, mixologists have sharpened their skills to create mocktails that earn high praise. As a result, they're no longer relegated to a class of innocuous imitations of drinks from another era.
Different Recipies of Mocktails
When you select mocktails, you're also likely to choose a drink that's lower in calories. Alcohol can be ddehydrate improve your calorie intake a lot-one 12-oz. beer has about 150 calories, and for y 1 -1/2-oz. Shot of alcohol, you can count on adding 100 calories. So whether you're entertaining or simply stocking up on beverages, look for low-and no-calorie options such as fruit and vegetable juices, club soda, carbonated water, flavored water, and diet soda. Tips for creating your signature mocktail:
- Start with quality ingredients-fresh local produce, herbs, and freshly squeezed fruits or vegetables.
- Add some zip to plain ole water (if that's your thing) and get creative with your ice cubes! Try freezing any flavor of Vitaminwater zero into cubes, add a garnish of your choice and sip away.
- If you include coffee or tea, use freshly brewed one.
- To sweeten mocktails, you can make a simple syrup (recipe below) that will blend effortlessly with the other ingredients.
Whether you're planning to make your own or rely on a recipe, make sure you stock up on colorful paper umbrellas-what's a summer drink without an umbrella garnish?
Here are some of my favourite mocktail recipes:
Simple Syrup
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
Combine water and sugar are saucepans. Bring mixture to stirring until sugar is dissolved. Allow cooling. Makes 1-1/3 cups. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 8 to 10 days.
Lemonade Mojito
½ cup (4 oz.) Minute Maid® Lemonade ½ cup (4 oz.) Sprite® Zero Two tablespoons (1 oz.) mint mojito syrup* One mint sprig Fill a 16-oz glass pour with ice. Add combined ingredients; stir. Garnish with a sprig of mint. Makes one serving. You can purchase a bottled mint syrup or do it yourself by adding mint leaves to simple syrup steep after the sugar is dissolved. Then, remove the leaves before storing them.
Spicy Mango mocktail
In a tin, add 1 oz mango puree ½ oz lime juice ½ oz orange juice ½ oz honey and a pinch of chipotle seasoning Mango orange fruit water Shake hard with ice and strain into glass with ice, top with mango orange fruit water, garnish with an orange wheel sprinkled with chipotle seasoning. a simple stevia syrup can use in place of agave or honey.
Array Of Beverages
Take Away: Staying hydrated is not limited to water. It can include an array of beverages. However, opt for libations with low- or no-calorie sweeteners to keep calories in check.
The limeade, orange juice, and grapefruit juice are better for you in the heat as they restore essential nutrients that you may have lost as sweat due to the heat. Also, as shown, if you are the designated driver, you must keep your drink non-alcoholic to keep your passengers safe. It is an enormous responsibility and a burden, but it is necessary today as many people believe they can do what they want. So, we have to name designated drivers and invent drinks so they can feel part of the party. Yet, they are a necessary part of a society that believes in "anything goes."
