Keep yourself cool this summer with icy refreshing mocktails – not only do these non-alcoholic cocktails contain fewer calories than alcoholic beverages, but they can be highly nutritious too.
For an optimum boost of cancer-busting antioxidants, prepare these beverages with fresh fruit and vegetables.
Antioxidants are thought to help protect the body from cell damage by mopping up damaging free radicals. So toast to a healthier you with these delicious health-boosting mocktails.
Virgin Mary
This non-alcoholic version of the Bloody Mary is a tomato-based drink with a kick.
Tomatoes are a rich source of an antioxidant known as lycopene. Research suggests that lycopene may help protect against some cancers such as prostate, lung, breast and endometrial.
To make this mocktail, soak one large tomato in boiling water for 15-20 minutes or until the skin of the tomato is soft enough to peel off.
Peel off the tomato skin and whiz up the tomato in a blender and leave to one side.
Next add one teaspoon of Worcester sauce to a cocktail glass, along with the juice of half a lemon, a small pinch of black pepper and four to five drops or a quarter teaspoon of tabasco sauce.
Finally fill the cocktail glass with tomato juice and stir the ingredients – add ice and enjoy. If desired, garnish with a celery stalk.
Green tea mocktails
Drinking green tea is thought to decrease the risk of cancer. Matcha, a very concentrated powdered form of green tea – is thought to contain more antioxidants than regular green tea.
It is abundant in powerful antioxidants known as catechins that are reported to have cancer-fighting properties. Not only does the tea boast many nutritional benefits, but also tastes delicious as a mocktail.
Prepare a refreshing classic green tea mocktail by blending ½ to 2 tsp matcha green tea (adjust according to concentration of matcha), along with a glass of cold water, 7-8 mint leaves and 2 tbsp of lime juice.
Pour the mixture into a glass of your choice,eg either a cocktail glass or a taller glass – then add ice, a slice of lime and enjoy. If desired, you may choose to replace the lime with lemon.
If you prefer a fruity taste, tantalise your taste buds with a fruity green tea mocktail. In a cocktail glass add ½ to 2 tsp matcha, the juice of half a pink grapefruit, the juice of 1 orange, 6 tbsp of pure pressed apple juice –and enjoy with ice.
Delightful orange mocktail
Research suggests that powerful antioxidants known as limonoids found in the skin and pulp of citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons may prevent a variety of cancers such as skin, breast, lung, stomach and colon cancer.
For a healthy dose of limonoids try this sweet tasting protein-enriched mocktail. To a cocktail glass add the juice of one orange (including the pulp), the juice of half a lemon (including the pulp), 2-3 chopped frozen strawberries, ice and 1 tsp chia gel (prepare this protein-rich flavourless gel in advance).
Chia seeds are rich in antioxidants, and are a complete source of protein. They may help prevent cancer, as the super seeds contain protease inhibitors that are thought to destroy cancer cells.
Make a batch of chia gel by soaking 2 tbsp of the seeds in 1 cup of cold water for 30 minutes.
After soaking, give the chia seeds a stir, and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Interestingly, these seeds are thought to prolong hydration and may help retain electrolytes, making them perfect to add to thirst-quenching mocktails.
Watermelon mocktail
Watermelons, just like tomatoes, are rich in the antioxidant lycopene, as well as carotenoid. Lycopene has gained particular attention for its role in helping to prevent prostate cancer.
Prepare this hydrating mocktail by blending a few large chunks of watermelon with 1 tbsp fresh lime juice and 7-8 mint leaves. Serve with ice and a slice of lime.
If you’re in an artistic mood, before transferring your mocktail to a cocktail glass garnish the glass first. Do this by taking a wedge of lemon or lime and rub it around the rim of a cocktail glass to coat the rim.
Next, dip the sticky glass in xylitol – this is a natural sugar that has a lower impact on blood glucose balance in contrast to regular refined sugar.
Now carefully pour the watermelon juice into the decorated glass to create a mocktail that not only tastes wonderful, but is also pleasing to the eye.
Grapefruit twist mocktail
Grapefruits are particularly rich in vitamin C. Diets rich in vitamin C have been associated with a reduced risk of certain cancers such as colon, stomach, bladder, cervical and breast cancer.
To prepare this mouthwatering mocktail; add the juice of half a grapefruit to a cocktail glass, with 8 tbsp pineapple juice, 1 tsp rose syrup or rose water, ice, 3-4 rose petals and mint leaves.
Please note that grapefruits are thought to interfere with certain cancer medications, so check with your doctor first.
Berry burst mocktail
The antioxidant, resveratrol, which is found in certain berries, eg blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and cranberries, has been reported to exhibit anti-cancer activities.
To prepare a delicious berry mocktail add a handful of mixed berries (blueberries, strawberries and raspberries) to a blender with the juice of half a lemon.
Pour the drink into a cocktail glass – top the glass with a dash of organic beetroot/carrot juice, ice and a few frozen berries, then enjoy as the sun goes down.
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