3 Healthy Mocktails for Your Immune System
Summer is a popular time to crack open an ice-cold beer or enjoy a glass of red wine around a backyard fire, but there are many pros and cons of summer drinking. First and foremost is the way that alcohol disrupts the immune system, in part by blocking how effective your immune cells can communicate with each other. Enjoy the ritual of summer drinking with these three delicious mocktails. These mocktails have all the flavor and fizz you crave, while cutting out alcohol and substituting it with antioxidant-rich ingredients that taste good and are good for your immunity.
Refreshing Ginger Punch
This refreshing mocktail comes with a bit of a zesty punch thanks to ginger (there’s a reason you’ll find ginger in a lot of traditional, alcoholic cocktails!). Ginger has extremely potent anti-inflammatory effects, and chronic inflammation is a problem that plagues the majority of Americans and is a major factor in the development of numerous diseases. Beyond its positive impact on inflammation, ginger also has powerful antioxidants to super-size your immune response to infection, bacteria, and viruses.
This mocktail also includes high levels of vitamin C and other important vitamins your body needs for an effective immune response and general health and wellbeing. But you won’t be thinking of any of that as you take a sip of this summer mocktail and enjoy all the flavors of a cocktail with none of the guilt of alcohol.
1 cup orange juice, chilled
1 cup apple juice, chilled
2 tbsp ginger beer cordial
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
1 tbsp chopped fresh mint leaves
4 strawberries, sliced with the green part removed
2 cups sugar-free lemonade, chilled
Ice cubes, to serve
In a large punch bowl, mix the orange juice, apple juice, ginger beer, and fresh ginger. Wait for it to settle, then slowly add the mint, strawberries, and lemonade to create a very aesthetically pleasing layer of orange and yellow colors in the punch bowl. Toss in the ice cubes and enjoy! This makes enough punch for 2-4 people.
Hydrating Cranberry Sangria
Transport your summer barbecue to Europe with this mocktail, inspired by the classic wine cocktails from Spain and Portugal. Instead of wine, we’ll be using sweet cranberry juice — it’s great for your blood sugar, digestive health, and urinary tract. This mocktail is also extremely high in antioxidants from ingredients like ginger, passionfruit, and pomegranate seeds (there’s a reason pomegranate is a well-known superfood!). The surprising addition of pineapple (its immune system-supporting antioxidants positively affect your body for much longer than other foods) takes this sangria to the next level.
1 cup ice cubes
3 cups frozen pineapple cubes
1/2 small orange, thinly sliced into dainty wedges
1 fresh passionfruit, cut into quarters
2 cups chilled cranberry juice
2 cups chilled ginger beer
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
Pomegranate seeds
Fill four serving glasses with ice cubes. Add equal amounts of pineapple, passionfruit, and orange wedges. Top with equal amounts of the ginger beer and chilled cranberry juice. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and fresh mint and enjoy!
Tropical Pineapple and Apricot Punch
This is a great mocktail to serve on a hot day, thanks to its exceptional hydration benefits and anti-inflammatory antioxidants from ingredients like apricot and pineapple. This is a popular go-to for days when you’re craving a bit of bite to your drinks — the fizzy soda water gives a mouth feel that can satisfy any cocktail craving without the guilt of alcohol.
Now, apricots might not be your first go-to thought when it comes to making a summer mocktail. But it adds a tropical twist to this drink, plus incredible health benefits. For instance, apricots aren’t just high in immune boosters like vitamin C and vitamin E, but also powerful compounds known as flavanoids that scour your body and protect your cells from damage and inflammation. Studies have even found that apricots contain nutrients that heal and protect your liver, which is perfect if you want to mix things up and enjoy a real cocktail alongside your mocktails.
2 cups pineapple juice
1 1/2 cups apricot juice
1 cup ginger beer
1 cup soda water
1/4 cup lime juice
Crushed ice, to serve
2 limes, thinly sliced
Combine all the juices and soda water and mix. Add lime slices and the crushed ice to a serving pitcher and fill with the punch. Enjoy cold!