Healthy alternatives to your usual alcoholic tipple

If you’ve decided to give up alcohol for January or are swapping alcoholic drinks for other reasons, you don’t always have to opt for a glass of water. We’ve rounded a selection of some of our favourite delicious drinks and drink recipes that not only taste fantastic but also happen to be alcohol-free.

Ginger Lime Fizz

https://naturallyella.com/ginger-lime-fizz-non-alcoholic/ A refreshing combination of zesty citrus fruit and sharp, spicy ginger that delivers on taste and sparkle. Lime is a great source of vitamin C which helps to protect the cells in our body and helps wounds to heal.

Nutrients per serving:

Ingredients

• 350ml ginger beer
• 120ml soda water
• 25ml fresh squeezed lime juice
• Limes to garnish

Method

Step 1 Combine ingredients in a jug or pitcher. Taste and adjust lime juice as needed. Serve cold.

The Perfect Homemade Protein Shake

http://www.jamieoliver.com/news-and-features/features/perfect-homemade-protein-shake/ Crammed with protein-rich chia seeds and peanut butter, this smoothie packs a nutritious punch to set you up for the day. Not just for natural sweetness, the banana adds some essential fibre along with vitamin C and potassium.

Nutrients per serving:

Ingredients

• 1 peeled banana
• 150g low-fat natural yoghurt or soya yoghurt
• 100ml of semi-skimmed milk or dairy-free milk
• 1 tbsp peanut butter *
• 1 tbsp chia seeds *
• ½ tsp cinnamon * (or to taste)

* Available at Holland & Barrett

Method

Step 1 Simply mix all the ingredients together in a blender and enjoy straight away.

Cucumber Water

http://leitesculinaria.com/103088/recipes-cucumber-water.html Cool cucumber livens up plain water with a minty, thirst-quenching twist. Cucumber is a good source of vitamin K which helps wounds to heal.

Ingredients

• ½ cucumber, peeled and sliced
• Handful fresh mint leaves
• 2 litres cold water
• Ice
• 1 lime, cut into wedges

Method

Step 1 Combine the cucumber, mint, and water in a large jug or jar. Refrigerate for 1 to 4 hours. Serve over ice and garnish with a lime wedge in each glass.

Coconut Water Mojito Mocktail

http://natalietamara.co.uk/2015/12/15/coconut-water-mojito-mocktails/ A healthier non-alcoholic alternative to the classic mojito. This vegan recipe combines zesty lime and mint flavours with the hydrating properties and tropical taste of coconut water.

Nutrients per serving:

Ingredients

• ½ lime, cut into three wedges
• 2 springs fresh mint
• ½ tsp unrefined sugar
• 2 ice cubes
• 100ml coconut water *
• 100ml sparkling water

* Available at Holland & Barrett

Method

Step 1 Squeeze the lime wedges as you place them into a glass. Crush the mint leaves on the back of your hand a few times before adding them to the glass. Step 2 Sprinkle in the sugar and combine everything together using a narrow rolling pin or the end of a wooden spoon. Step 3 Add the ice, coconut water and sparkling water to the glass. Step 4 Stir gently to mix and serve.

Iced Green Tea

http://www.pgtips.co.uk/article/detail/916618/how-to-make-iced-green-tea This recipe proves that tea tastes good even when it’s served chilled. With its sharp taste, green tea is a nutritional powerhouse packed with naturally occurring folic acid, potassium, B vitamins and magnesium.

Serves 4

Nutrients per serving:

Ingredients

• 4 green tea bags *
• A slice of fresh lemon
• A sprig of fresh mint leaves
• 1 tsp honey *
• 500ml boiling water
• 500ml cold water
• Ice

* Available at Holland & Barrett

Method

Step 1 Start by letting your tea bags brew in the boiled water for two to three minutes. Step 2 Take out the tea bags and allow the tea to cool. Step 3 Next, pour the cooled tea into a jug and add honey, lemon and mint to taste. Stir cold water into the mixture and put the jug in the fridge. Once the mixture is chilled, serve the tea in a glass with ice.

Super Greens and Aloe Vera Mocktail

http://www.womenshealthmag.co.uk/nutrition/happy-hour/3659/super-greens-aloe-vera-summer-mocktail-cocktail-recipe/ A fresh blend of lettuce and cucumber with an aloe vera and wasabi kick. Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera contains a wide range of nutrients including vitamins A, C and E.

Nutrients per serving:

Ingredients

• Handful of iceberg lettuce
• Half a cucumber
• Pea-sized dollop of wasabi paste
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• Pinch of Himalayan rock salt *
• 25ml aloe vera
• Ice
• Water

* Available at Holland & Barrett

Method

Step 1 Fill a cocktail glass with ice and water and leave to chill. Empty just before serving. Combine all other ingredients in a blender and pour through a fine sieve into your chilled glass. Serve with two cubes of ice and garnish with a slice of cucumber.

Beetroot, Apple, Carrot and Ginger Juice

http://www.naturallysassy.co.uk/recipes/beetroot-apple-carrot-ginger-juice Not only does this drink taste and look delicious, research¹ has shown that drinking a glass of beetroot juice every day may lower blood pressure among high blood pressure patients.

Nutrients per serving:

Ingredients

• 2 raw Beetroot bulbs
• 2 large Carrots
• 1 apple
• A thumb nail size cube of ginger

Method

Step 1 Peel the ginger and the beetroot. Put all the ingredients through a juicer. Mix with a spoon and pour into your glass. Shop our Food & Drink range. Read more about how many calories are in your alcohol drink and how long it takes to burn off your favourite drink on The Health Hub Sources http://www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/items/smd/146262.html