5 Low-Sugar Cocktails / Mocktails

Enjoy social drinking without worrying about excess sugar, bloating and weight-gain!

Whether you're a seasoned socialite or prefer to steer clear of spirits, discovering a delicious low-sugar cocktail or mocktail can feel like a challenge. Let's be real, ordering another vodka soda can leave you feeling uninspired. But fear not, after some diligent research and a bit of experimentation, I've uncovered a trusted roster of enjoyable beverages that are sure to pique your interest.

Introducing my curated collection of low-carb cocktails and mocktails that promise to elevate your sipping experience, whether you're out on the town or relaxing at home. And for those abstaining from alcohol, don't fret—I've included mocktail versions of each concoction so everyone can join in on the fun! Pro tip: If you're skipping the booze, keep an eye out for adaptogen mocktail mixes at your local grocery store (scroll to the end of the page for my favorite products). Not only are they delicious, but they also offer a range of benefits, from calming the nerves to sharpening cognitive function. Here's to raising a glass (or a mocktail) to good times and even better flavors!

DISCLAIMER - Before experimenting with alcoholic beverages or adaptogen mocktail drinks, consult with a qualified medical professional. Your healthcare provider can offer personalized guidance tailored to your unique needs and help ensure safe and responsible consumption. Always drink responsibly and in moderation. Cheers to health and balance!

** The nutritional information provided for these drinks are an estimate and will vary depending on the ingredients used. This is your time to experiment with ingredients that YOU love, so you can carefully curate your own go-to cocktail/mocktail beverages.

Creamy Espresso Martini

• Serving Size: 1 cocktail (approximately 2-3 ounces)

• Calories: Approximately 200-250 calories

• Carbohydrates: Typically around 20-25 grams

• Protein: Minimal, usually less than 1 gram

• Fat: Varies depending on the type and amount of cream used, but can range from 5-10 grams

Cocktail Ingredients -

1. 1 1/2 ounces (45ml) vodka

2. 1 ounce (30ml) coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa)

3. 1 ounce (30ml) freshly brewed espresso

4. 1/2 ounce (15ml) simple syrup or sugar syrup (optional, adjust to taste)

5. 1 ounce (30ml) of Baileys (I prefer the apple pie flavor, but you can mix this up to get a different flavor drink each time!)

6. Ice cubes

Mocktail Ingredients -

1. 1 ounce (30ml) strongly brewed coffee, chilled

2. 1 ounce (30ml) coffee-flavored syrup or coffee essence

3. 1/2 ounce (15ml) simple syrup or sugar syrup

4. 1/2 ounce (15ml) vanilla extract or vanilla syrup

5. 1/2 ounce of heavy cream or half-and-half (I recently found a collagen powder that is Irish Cream flavored and use that in substitute of heavy cream. There are plenty of protein powders, collagen mixes and other health products that have creamy flavors that can substitute this ingredient. Get creative!)

6. Ice cubes

Directions -

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.

2. Pour all of your ingredients into the shaker.

3. Secure the lid on the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds.

4. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.

5. Optionally, garnish with coffee beans on top for a decorative touch.

6. Serve and enjoy your delicious espresso martini cocktail or cocktail!!

Cosmopolitan

• Serving Size: 1 cocktail (approximately 2-3 ounces)

• Calories: Approximately 150-200 calories

• Carbohydrates: Typically around 5-10 grams

• Protein: Minimal, usually less than 1 gram

• Fat: Minimal, usually less than 1 gram

Cocktail Ingredients -

1. 1 1/2 ounces (45ml) vodka

2. 1/2-ounce (15ml) triple sec or orange liqueur

3. 1/2-ounce (15ml) cranberry juice

4. 1/2-ounce (15ml) freshly squeezed lime juice

5. Ice cubes

6. Orange twist or lime wedge for garnish (optional)

Directions -

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.

2. Pour in the vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and freshly squeezed lime juice.

3. Secure the lid on the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds.

4. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.

5. Optionally, garnish with an orange twist or lime wedge for a decorative touch.

6. Serve and enjoy your classic cosmopolitan cocktail!

Mocktail Ingredients -

1. 2 ounces (60ml) cranberry juice

2. 1 ounce (30ml) freshly squeezed lime juice

3. 1/2-ounce (15ml) simple syrup or sugar syrup

4. Soda water or lemon-lime soda

5. Ice cubes

6. Lime wedge or cranberries for garnish (optional)

Directions -

1. Fill a cocktail shaker or mixing glass with ice cubes.

2. Pour in the cranberry juice, freshly squeezed lime juice, and simple syrup.

3. Shake the mixture well for about 10-15 seconds to chill the ingredients.

4. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice cubes.

5. Top off the glass with soda water or lemon-lime soda.

6. Give the mocktail a gentle stir to combine the ingredients.

7. Optionally, garnish with a lime wedge or a few cranberries for a decorative touch.

8. Serve and enjoy your refreshing mocktail cosmopolitan!

Gimlet

• Serving Size: 1 cocktail (approximately 2-3 ounces)

• Calories: Approximately 150-200 calories

• Carbohydrates: Typically around 2-10 grams

• Protein: Minimal, usually less than 1 gram

• Fat: Minimal, usually less than 1 gram

Cocktail Ingredients -

1. 2 ounces (60ml) gin

2. 3/4 ounce (22ml) freshly squeezed lime juice

3. 1/2 ounce (15ml) simple syrup or sugar syrup

4. Ice cubes

5. Lime wheel or twist for garnish (optional)

Directions -

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.

2. Pour in the gin, freshly squeezed lime juice, and simple syrup.

3. Secure the lid on the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds.

4. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass or a rocks glass filled with ice cubes.

5. Optionally, garnish with a lime wheel or twist for a decorative touch.

6. Serve and enjoy your classic gimlet cocktail!

Mocktail Ingredients -

1. 2 ounces (60ml) non-alcoholic gin substitute (such as Seedlip Grove 42 or similar)

2. 3/4 ounce (22ml) freshly squeezed lime juice

3. 1/2 ounce (15ml) simple syrup or sugar syrup

4. Club soda or tonic water

5. Ice cubes

6. Lime wheel or twist for garnish (optional)

Directions -

1. Fill a cocktail shaker or mixing glass with ice cubes.

2. Pour in the non-alcoholic gin substitute, freshly squeezed lime juice, and simple syrup.

3. Shake the mixture well for about 10-15 seconds to chill the ingredients.

4. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice cubes.

5. Top off the glass with club soda or tonic water.

6. Give the mocktail a gentle stir to combine the ingredients.

7. Optionally, garnish with a lime wheel or twist for a decorative touch.

8. Serve and enjoy your refreshing mocktail gimlet!

Mojito

• Serving Size: 1 cocktail (approximately 6-8 ounces)

• Calories: Approximately 150-200 calories

• Carbohydrates: Typically around 5-10 grams

• Protein: Minimal, usually less than 1 gram

• Fat: Minimal, usually less than 1 gram

Cocktail Ingredients

1. 2 ounces (60ml) white rum

2. 1/2 ounce (15ml) freshly squeezed lime juice

3. 1/2 ounce (15ml) simple syrup or sugar syrup

4. 6-8 fresh mint leaves

5. Club soda

6. Ice cubes

7. Lime wedge and mint sprig for garnish (optional)

Directions -

1. In a sturdy glass or cocktail shaker, muddle the fresh mint leaves with the lime juice and simple syrup. Gently press on the mint leaves to release their aroma and flavor.

2. Add the white rum to the glass or shaker.

3. Fill the glass with ice cubes.

4. Stir the mixture well to combine the ingredients and chill the drink.

5. Top off the glass with club soda to add fizziness to the drink.

6. Optionally, garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of fresh mint for a decorative touch.

7. Serve and enjoy your refreshing mojito cocktail!

Mocktail Ingredients -

1. 1/2 ounce (15ml) simple syrup or sugar syrup

2. 1/2 lime, cut into wedges

3. 6-8 fresh mint leaves

4. 1/2 cup club soda or sparkling water

5. Ice cubes

6. Mint sprig and lime wedge for garnish (optional)

Directions -

1. In a sturdy glass, muddle together the granulated sugar (or sugar substitute) with the lime wedges and fresh mint leaves. Gently press on the mint leaves and lime to release their flavors.

2. Fill the glass with ice cubes.

3. Pour the club soda or sparkling water over the ice.

4. Stir the mixture well to combine the ingredients.

5. Garnish with a mint sprig and lime wedge, if desired.

6. Serve immediately and enjoy your refreshing mocktail mojito!

Bloody Mary

• Calories: Approximately 120-150 calories per serving (4 oz)

• Carbohydrates: Approximately 8-12 grams per serving, primarily coming from the tomato juice

• Protein: Approximately 1-2 grams per serving, primarily coming from the tomato juice and optional garnishes

• Fat: Negligible amount, as the cocktail typically contains no added fats

• Sodium: Approximately 500-700 milligrams per serving, depending on the amount of Worcestershire sauce and celery salt used

• Fiber: Approximately 1-2 grams per serving, coming from the tomato juice and optional garnishes

Cocktail Ingredients -

• 1 1/2 oz vodka

• 3 oz tomato juice (look for lower sugar/carb options)

• 1/2 oz lemon juice

• 1 dash Worcestershire sauce

• 2-3 dashes hot sauce (such as Tabasco)

• Pinch of celery salt

• Pinch of black pepper

• Ice

• Garnishes: Celery stalk, lemon wedge, olives, pickles, bacon strips (optional)

Directions -

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.

2. Pour vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, celery salt, and black pepper into the shaker.

3. Shake well until the mixture is thoroughly chilled, about 15-20 seconds.

4. Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with ice.

5. Garnish with a celery stalk, lemon wedge, olives, pickles, bacon strips, or any other desired garnishes.

6. Optionally, add additional hot sauce or black pepper to adjust the spiciness according to your taste preferences.

7. Stir gently before serving to ensure all flavors are well combined.

8. Enjoy your classic Bloody Mary!

Mocktail Ingredients -

• 3 oz tomato juice (look for lower sugar/carb options)

• 1/2 oz lemon juice

• 1 dash Worcestershire sauce (optional or use a vegan version)

• 2-3 dashes hot sauce (such as Tabasco)

• Pinch of celery salt

• Pinch of black pepper

• Ice

• Garnishes: Celery stalk, lemon wedge, olives, pickles (optional)

Directions -

1. Fill a glass with ice cubes.

2. In the glass, combine the tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce (if using), hot sauce, celery salt, and black pepper.

3. Stir well to mix all the ingredients together.

4. Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired, adding more hot sauce or black pepper if you prefer a spicier mocktail.

5. Garnish the mocktail with a celery stalk, lemon wedge, olives, or pickles, if desired.

6. Serve immediately and enjoy your refreshing Bloody Mary mocktail!

BONUS SECTION FOR MOCKTAIL LOVERS

Lately, I've been exploring numerous mocktail products as they've gained popularity. More bars and restaurants are even starting to include mocktails on their menus! In addition to the recipes shared earlier, I've discovered some fantastic mocktail products that have become personal favorites. Who says you need alcohol to enjoy a cocktail experience? Sometimes, all it takes is a fancy glass and a creative garnish to elevate your drink game!

Here are a few noteworthy mocktail brands:

Ritual Zero-Proof: They offer a collection of non-alcoholic liquor products including Tequila, Gin, Whiskey, Rum, and Apertif.

hiyo: This brand specializes in adaptogen mocktails in a can! Whether you're tailgating at a sporting event or enjoying drinks at a friend's place, these canned mocktails are easily portable and even resemble alcoholic beverages. This can help avoid peer pressure from others who may expect to see a drink in everyone's hand. Flavors include peach mango, watermelon lime, and blackberry lemon.

Moment: Another brand offering canned mocktails, but with an even wider variety of flavors. When I first tried these, I was pleasantly surprised by how much they resembled alcoholic mixers. These drinks also contain adaptogens and have been a joy to mix and match!

PRO-TIP: For an extra boost of hydration and energy, I like to mix electrolyte blends into my mocktails. My current favorite brand is Ultima, which even offers a "Mocktail Martini Pack" with flavors like Piña Colada, Appletini, and Peach Bellini.

Cheers to exploring new flavors and enjoying responsibly!