New Year, New Flavors: Ice Shaker Mocktail Recipes for Athletes

As we step into the new year, it's the perfect time to reflect on our habits and set intentions for a healthier lifestyle. For many, this means incorporating regular exercise into their routine and making mindful choices about what they eat and drink. While the allure of celebratory drinks may linger from the holiday season, opting for a healthier alternative - with zero alcohol - can kickstart your year with a clear mind and a revitalized body. In this article, we'll cover the effects alcohol has on the body and give you some delicious and tasty mocktail recipes you can try!

HOW ALCOHOL CAN AFFECT YOUR BODY

Alcohol can contribute a significant number of calories to your diet, even though it's not a nutrient like protein, fat, or carbohydrates. Each gram of alcohol contains about 7 calories! Additionally, many alcoholic beverages contain added sugars, especially in mixed drinks, cocktails, and flavored alcoholic beverages. These added sugars can further increase the calorie content of the drink. For example, sweetened cocktails, liqueurs, and flavored spirits can have high sugar content, which contributes to their calorie count.

Besides adding unnecessary calories to your diet, alcohol has a lot of other negative effectives on your body. For example, alcohol is a depressant that causes your brain to function slower. While it might initially act as a depressant, leading to relaxation and lowered inhibitions, excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to anxiety, severe-depression, and other mental health disorders. While drinking in moderation does have a few health benefits, excessive drinking can cause serious problems with your heart, liver, digestive system, and immune system, which is why we recommend you limit the number of alcoholic beverages per day to 0 (okay 1 if needed!), set up a workout routine, and stay hydrated.

5 MOCKTAIL RECIPES YOU NEED TO TRY NOW

We get it. Trying to steer clear of an alcoholic beverage can be hard, especially at the end of a long hard week. To help, we've gathered 5 popular mocktail recipes you can try to help curb that craving! So, grab your Ice Shaker and let's get ready to Shake Things Up!

1. Virgin Mojito 

This refreshing drink combines lime juice, fresh mint leaves, agave, and soda water! It's a great way to cool down after a workout!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1-4 cup fresh lime juice
• 2 tsp. agave or sweetener of choice
• 10 mint leaves
• Sparkling water
• Ice
• Lime wedge for garnish

RECIPE:

1. In a small bowl, muddle together the lime juice, agave, and mint leaves for 1 minute.
2. Fill a glass with ice and pour the muddled mixture and sparkling water over the ice.
3. Mix gently to combine all ingredients.
4. Garnish with a lime and enjoy!

Recipe provided by: The Recipe Critic

2. Virgin Pineapple Coconut Cooler

This mix of pineapple juice, coconut water, and a splash of lime juice provides a tropical and hydrating drink that's rich in potassium.

 

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup coconut water
• 1 Tbsp. lime juice
• 1 Tbsp. agave syrup
• Ice
• Pineapple wedge for garnish

RECIPE:  

1. In a tall glass, mix together pineapple juice, coconut water, lime juice, and agave syrup.
2. Fill the glass with ice and stir gently to combine.
3. Garnish drink with pineapple wedge and enjoy!

Recipe provided by: Mocktail Universe

 3. Berry Blast

Blended mixed berries with a splash of orange juice gives you a delicious and tasty antioxidant-rich beverage.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup of mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• 2 cups of sparkling water
• 1 Tbsp. honey
• 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• Ice
• Fresh mint leave for garnish

RECIPE:

1. Rinse your berries under water to clean them. Then put them in a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour the blended berry mixture into a pitcher through a fine mesh strainer to remove the seeds.
3. Add the honey to the berry mixture and stir until it's fully dissolved.
4. Next, add the lemon juice.
5. Slowly pour in the sparkling water and stir gently to combine.
6. Fill drinking glass with ice.
7. Pour the berry drink over ice and garnish with fresh mint leaves. Enjoy!

Recipe provided by: Good Mocktail

4. Cucumber Mint Spritzer

This drink is light, refreshing, and perfect for rehydration!

INGREDIENTS:

• 4-6 Cucumber slices
• .75 ounces of fresh lime juice
• 4-6 fresh mint leaves
• 1-2 cups sparkling water
• Ice
• Extra cucumber slices for garnish

RECIPE

1. In a small bowl, muddle cucumber slices, lime juice, and mint leaves
2. Fill a drinking glass with ice and pour the muddled mixture over the ice.
3. Add sparkling water and stir gently to combine.
4. Garnish with a cucumber slice and enjoy!

Recipe provided by: Jar of Lemons

Watermelon Agua Fresca

This blended beverage is a hydrating and naturally sweet mocktail that's packed with vitamins!

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 cups of watermelon, cubed
• 1-3 cups water
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup of sugar
• Juice of one lime
• Ice (optional)
• Lime wedge or watermelon slice for garnish

RECIPE:

1. In a blender add the watermelon and water and blend until smooth
2. Add in sugar and lime juice and mix well.
3. Pour watermelon mixture into a drinking glass (add ice if you want), garnish with a lime wedge or watermelon slice and enjoy!

Recipe provided by: The Recipe Critic