The summer season is heating up and one of the most refreshing ways to beat the summertime heat and humidity is by cooling off with a summer cocktail or mocktail. Whether you are hosting a backyard BBQ, cookout or a holiday celebration, cocktails and mocktails are the perfect addition to any summertime gathering. Instead of purchasing pre-made mixes laden with an array of artificial ingredients and added sugar, we suggest making your own cocktails and mocktails using hellowater®.
Alcohol and Sugar Consumption
Sugar is a sweet crystallized substance obtained from various plants such as sugar beet or sugar cane. It can come in various forms including granulated sugar, regular sugar, or table sugar. Commonly used as a sweetener in a variety of foods and beverages, sugar is also found in many alcoholic beverages, cocktails, and mixers.
As more and more consumers become aware of the adverse effects of sugar consumption, including diabetes, fatty liver disease, high blood pressure, inflammation, and weight gain, brands are getting more crafty and creative with what they use to sweeten their beverages.
Some companies have switched to using juice, juice concentrate, or in some cases sticking with real sugar to give their beverages a more wholesome image!
However, just like it is important to monitor sugar consumption in children, it is just as essential to be aware of sugar intake in our own daily diets, especially if we enjoy a cocktail or mocktail every now and then.
Alcohol and Weight Gain
Although a chilled alcoholic beverage can be a refreshing way to cool off on a hot summer’s day, the consumption of alcohol can also lead to things like dehydration, hangovers, and weight gain.
Enjoying a cocktail or mocktail every now and then will not have any major impacts on overall health and wellness, but drinking alcohol, particularly in excessive amounts, can lead to serious health risks.
Weight gain related to alcohol consumption depends on a number of factors including:
- What alcoholic beverage you consume
- How much you drink
- How often you drink
- What foods you eat when you drink
- Other lifestyles factors like activity levels, daily diet, and general overall health
Monitoring alcohol consumption is part of a more mindful diet and lifestyle no matter what your health and wellness goals.
Alcohol, Sugar, and Hangovers
Besides added sugar consumption and weight gain, the regular consumption of alcohol can also lead to hangovers. On their own, alcohol and sugar both cause dehydration and are processed in the liver, but when combined alcoholic sugary beverages seem to result in a more intense hangover. Although no official studies have been done to prove these effects, there is no denying, there is a noticeable difference in consuming a lower sugar cocktail or mocktail compared to a high sugar-laden alcoholic beverage.
Cocktails, Mocktails, and hellowater®
An easy and delicious way to enjoy an occasional cocktail or mocktail is by swapping out traditional mixers for a splash of hellowater®. That’s exactly what one of our Hellowaterers, Simone Luke does. Check out her two favorite recipes for a Cucumber-Lime Cocktail and Pineapple-Coconut Cocktail right here.
If you’re interested in recreating a classic mocktail, try whipping up some of our team’s favorite summertime staples. Flavor meets fiber in these refreshing recipes for homemade mocktails, both made using hellowater®.
Low Sugar Mojito Punch Recipe
* Non-Alcoholic Mocktail
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon natural sweetener of choice
- 2 tablespoons crushed iced
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 3 tablespoons hellowater® Cucumber Lime
Directions:
1.) Stir lime juice, mint leaves, and natural sweetener together in a glass.
2.) Gently crush mint leaves with a wooden spoon.
3.) Pour hellowater® Lemon Lime into the juice mixture and stir until the natural sweetener has thoroughly dissolved.
4.) Add crushed ice.
5.) Add 1-2 fresh mint leaves for a bright pop of garnish then serve and enjoy. Cheers!
Summertime Sangria Recipe
* Non-Alcoholic Mocktail
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup hellowater® like Mixed Berry
- 1 apple, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 orange, juiced
- 1 orange, sectioned
- 3 cups seltzer water or half seltzer and half white wine if wanting to make an alcohol version
- Tiny pinch of ground cinnamon
- Optional: Strawberries and fresh pineapple slices
Directions:
1.) In a medium or large pitcher, combine apple slices, lemon juice, orange juice, orange sections, hellowater® of choice, and cinnamon. Gently stir.
2.) Let the mixture sit for 1-12 hours allowing the flavors to meld together.
3.) Before serving, add seltzer and/or white wine.
4.) Served chilled or with ice. Cheers!
Tag us @drinkhellowater so we can see all of your homemade summer cocktail and mocktail recipes using hellowater®.
