Whole 30: Mocktails

One of the biggest struggles most people face on Whole30 is drinks. Giving up alcohol and soda is tough. Between the amount of sugar and all the 'feel good' emotional connections with drinks, it is often difficult to go out and enjoy a night out with friends without having a typical drink. Unlike a great amount of people on Whole30, I stopped drinking soda years ago. However, my girlfriend who started Whole30 was struggling with removing soda and alcohol.

While I had been enjoying my La Croix or mineral water with a slice of lime, orange, or pom seeds, it was often a difficult time always sticking to simple flavors. However, I also found infused water did not always satisfy my desire for having a great cocktail with my girlfriends. So, I decided to make my own "mocktails" instead. And, they were amazing!!

Making Mocktails and Cocktails for ladies' night!

Frost Bite Mocktail (revamped from Babble's recipe)

• lemon-lime seltzer water
• blueberries
• mint
• lime juice
• pineapple juice (we made our own from actual pineapples)

*we omitted white grape juice since we did not find any without added sugar!)

We followed the recipe exactly as they had and they turned out delicious! 

Strawberry Mojito Mockail (per cocktail) 

• mint
• 1/4 lime slice 
• lime seltzer
• 4 strawberries

Muddle strawberries until pureed and transfer to glass. Bend mint to "bruise" and add to glass. Squeeze 1/4 lime and add to glass (including full slice of lime). add ice and 1/3 can of seltzer to glass. stir and serve.

*since you cannot have sugar on whole30, the strawberries become your sweetener* Garnish with additional sprigs of mint. (optional: can also substitute mint for rosemary and strawberries for blueberries or blackberries).

Morning Mai Tai Mocktail (per cocktail)

• Apple Cider (no sugar option - locally made is best)
• splash lemon juice
• splash apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 tsp coconut nectar
• Apple Sliced and Julienne/matchstick (garnish)

Warm coconut nectar until syrup transfers to liquid. Add shaker with apple cider, lemon juice and apple cider vinegar. shake well. add to short glass and serve with over ice with slice of apple as garnish.

Grapefruit Martini Mocktail (per cocktail)

• 1/4 blood orange- juice squeezed
• 1/2 grapefruit - juice squeezed
• La Croix Orange Seltzer Water
• Slice of Grapefruit (garnish)

Combine all ingredients into shaker with ice and shake well. Transfer to martini glass and garnish with sliced grapefruit. Optional: zest orange into glass.

Happy Mocktail Hour!!