As summer starts to wind down, we’ll be hanging on to the warmer weather as long as possible! We’ll be grilling and sitting outside ‘til the cold scares us away. Since the BBQ isn’t packed up yet, we’ll be enjoying our BBQ Faves and Summer Desserts late into September. We’ve even got cool cocktails and crisp bubbly on the brain.

We love a good cocktail, but they have lots of added sugars and are loaded with carbs. If you’re looking to lighten up your bevvies, these recipes are for you! Low in added sugars, and bursting with fresh fruit, herbs, and even veggies, these mocktails will help to hydrate and refresh with style.

Recipe from Whole Lovely Life

This mocktail is the perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and refreshing! Perfect for a hot, sunny day.

Ingredients

2 medium-to-large cucumbers
4 limes, juiced
4 large sprigs of fresh mint
1 tbsp sweetener of choice (raw honey, maple syrup) or 4-6 drops of liquid Stevia
For garnish, optional: Sea salt for rim and slices of cucumber and mint leaves

Directions

1. Peel cucumbers and scoop out seeds. The easiest way to scoop out the seeds is to cut lengthwise after peeling and run a spoon down the center. Set aside.
2. Juice limes. Set juice aside.
3. Remove mint leaves from stems and wash.
4. In a blender combine cucumber, lime juice, and mint leaves.
5. Blend on high until fully combined.
6. If serving with salt, take lime peel and rub across the top of the glass. Dip in salt. Add ice to glasses and pour over the top. Garnish with a cucumber slice, mint leaves, or both.
7. Enjoy! Serves 4-6.

Recipe from The Roasted Root

Kombucha is a fizzy drink that perfectly replaces sugary sodas or sparkling wines. Combined with fresh fruit and pure fruit juice, this drink is light, refreshing and naturally sweet!

Ingredients

2 16-oz bottles kombucha, unflavored
2 cups 100% orange-mango juice
1 ripe mango, pitted, peeled & chopped
2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a large pitcher and stir.
2. Serve over ice and enjoy! Serves 2.

Recipe from House of Yumm

Ready-made pina colada mixes are often filled with high fructose corn syrup (refined sugars) and other artificial flavors. This make-at-home version uses just three ingredients for a yummy tropical treat!

Ingredients

½ cup cream of coconut
¾ cup pineapple juice
2 cups ice
Maraschino cherries & pineapple chunks for garnish, optional

Directions

1. Open the cream of coconut and stir, it will be slightly separated in the can. Once combined, add 1/2 cup to a blender. Add in the pineapple juice.
2. Add about 1 cup of ice to the blender. Blend for 20-30 seconds until ice is blended. If watery, add more ice to get the desired consistency.
3. Pour into two glasses and enjoy! Garnish with cherries and pineapples as desired.

Recipe from How Sweet Eats

This spritzer is like a non-alcoholic sangria made with hydrating coconut water. Filled with rainbow-colored fruit, it’s basically a vacation in a glass!

Ingredients

Handfuls of fresh:
Raspberries
Strawberries, sliced
Cherries, pitted
Peaches, sliced
Pineapple chunks
Lime slices
Mint leaves
Blueberries
Blackberries

16 oz coconut water
12 oz flavored sparkling water (like La Croix)

Directions

1. Fill 4 glasses with a bit of crushed ice, then add a few pieces of each fruit in a rainbow pattern. Top with a bit more ice and fill each glass with about 4 ounces of coconut water.
2. Top each glass off with some flavored seltzer (like La Croix coconut or passionfruit!) and serve. Garnish with extra fresh mint.

Quench your thirst on hot summer days with more than just ice water. If you’re trying to limit added sugars and/or alcohol, mocktails serve as the perfect refreshing drink. From tropical twists to fruity fizz, it’s time to get creative with your summer hydration!