Three Ways to Boost Your Mocktails

Whether you are an imbiber or not, we can all use a few options that make a non-alcoholic drink as attractive as the alcoholic ones. The thing is drinking water or another seltzer with lime is boring after a while and can make you feel less than celebratory. With a boosted mocktail you can get your mellow on without the buzz!

There are many reasons to consider enjoying or providing mocktails at your next event:

1. Mocktails support both your liver and your gut.

2. Mocktails are enjoyable for almost everyone (pregnant women must take care with herbal boosters).

3. Mocktails don’t come with hangovers, poor sleep or anxiety.

4. Mocktails can help you chill out… without the toxins.

To create a great mocktail, start with:

• 4 oz. unsweetened juice or kombucha (fermented tea).

  • My favorites are unsweetened cranberry or pomegranate juice, HealthAde pineapple ginger kombucha or Olipop fermented soda (more sugar than the other options)

• 4 oz sparkling water, such as Pellegrino or slightly-flavored like Spindrift (the blood orange is awesome!)

• 1/2 to 1 dropper of your favorite herbal booster

• Slice of lemon or orange peel

• Lots of ice

An herbal booster can really help take the edge off and help give you that chill and relaxed feeling.

Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris): A great pre-dinner mocktail booster as mugwort can aid digestion like an apertif. Mugwort helps to calm frazzled nerves and may even improve hot flashes. Some women report more lucid dreams with mugwort so don’t be surprised if you have more sleep adventures. Add 1/2 dropper to your mocktail. I like either HerbPharm Mugwort tincture or Urban Moonshine’s Joy Tonic which is a blend of mugwort, lemon balm and a few other calming herbs.

2. Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora): A wonderful party agent as it is a gentle supporter for chronic stress. Gatherings are a great place to let your hair down and skullcap is a perfect way to let loose. Skullcap can also make a great nightcap as it is conducive to sleep and calms tension.

3. Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata): Passionflower promotes natural relaxation and helps in coping with a busy mind which is why it makes a great afterwork mocktail booster. Passionflower may boost levels of GABA which can also help inhibit depression-inducing brain cells. Maybe your day wasn’t so bad after all!

Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal boosters in pregnancy or lactation also if you have liver problems or are taking any medications.