There’s something celebratory about a drink in hand. It reminds us of get-togethers with friends, holiday parties, weddings, and Friday nights.
But booze isn’t the best news when your goal is fat loss. Plus (and I know you’ve felt it), alcohol affects us differently as we age. What used to feel like a good time now feels like dizziness, sluggishness, a bad night of sleep, followed by a groggy day.
Today, more people are turning to a drink that offers more benefits than a brief buzz. Mocktails are more popular than ever, with a cultural shift toward mindful drinking.
As summer temperatures soar, we need delicious mocktail recipes at the ready! Below, I’ve collected my seven favorite summer mocktails, one for each day of the week. So, get your shaker ready to mix up these cleaner concoctions.
Sunday: The Good Sleep Mocktail
Sunday, your day of rest, requires a special drink. So, picture this:
You’ve slowed down for the day. You’re taking a deep breather before the week starts rolling again. The kids are in bed. The kitchen is clean. And you pour yourself a large glass of this Midnight Tart Cherry Mocktail.
You instantly feel cooler and calmer. The combo of tart cherry juice, lime juice, lime zest, vanilla, and sparkling water gives this mocktail sour cherry soda vibes.
As you slowly sip, the health benefits start to kick in: your muscles soften, pain and inflammation decrease, blood pressure lowers. The natural kick of melatonin in the tart cherry juice primes your body for a night of deep sleep. Added magnesium helps your mind and body fully unwind.
This is the mocktail you need to calm the Sunday-scaries and restore your body before the week begins.
Monday: The Cortisol Cocktail
Mondays are tough. Shifting from our weekend schedule into the harsh, structured routine of the week can give us a mini jet-lag. We look at our big to-do list and feel stressed.
On Monday, you need a mocktail that supports relaxation, stress reduction, and healthy adrenal function.
Relieve tension and restore your energy with a mocktail rich in vitamin C. This vitamin helps your body adapt to stress and lower cortisol levels. A dash of magnesium supports muscle relaxation and lowers your body’s stress response.
Tuesday: The Margarita Mocktail
In my house, tacos are served every Tuesday. And by the end of dinner, every plate is licked clean. We love Taco Tuesdays! It’s the perfect dinner, in our opinion. The only thing that could make taco dinners better is a big ol’ frozen margarita (or two).
Enter the Sparkling Strawberry Margarita Mocktail. This is the ultimate thirst quencher. I could (and sometimes do) down three of these as we dig to the bottom of my cheesy taco bowls.
Want them the way I like them? Double the lime. Extra salt. Skip the tequila, of course. Blend it up. You’ll feel like Tuesday dinner turned into a weeknight summer party.
Wednesday: The Mid-Week Mocktail
It’s mid-week, and you’re tired. But with the right beverage, you can get over the hump and start moving toward the weekend.
When you feel the mid-week lag, try this energizing Ginger Kombucha Matcha Mocktail. I love to have this one in the early afternoon, right after lunch. This concoction creates a calm-focused energy surge. It prevents that post-lunch crash, and unlike the jittery jolt that comes with a cup of coffee, this mocktail provides smooth energy and hours of alertness.
So, instead of grabbing a hot cuppa on a hot summer day, sip this cooling mocktail that will give you the push you need. Enjoy your metal clarity all afternoon. Hump day just got a lot happier.
Thursday: The Bubbly Balancer
Apple cider vinegar dates back to ancient Babylonia. Even Greek physician Hippocrates threw back a shot or two of ACV on the regular for its medicinal benefits.
Today, we’re understanding more and more why this simple ingredient has so many health benefits, like these:
- Regulated blood sugar: Acetic acid slows down the digestion of complex carb. As a result, you experience improved insulin sensitivity and significantly lower post-meal blood glucose levels.
- Weight management: Some studies have found that apple cider vinegar can increase feelings of fullness and reduce belly fat.
- Gut health: The raw, unfiltered kind is a probiotic that supports a healthy digestive microbiome.
- Lower cholesterol and inflammation: Research has also found that daily intake of apple cider vinegar can lower triglycerides, increase “good” HDL cholesterol, and reduce systemic inflammation.
As you’re nearing the end of the week, give your body a bit of balance with this ACV Mocktail. It’s tart, it’s bubbly, and it’s extremely refreshing.
Friday: The Zero Proof Paloma
You made it! And this bright, sparkling, girly drink is here to celebrate you. This is the drink I turn to over and over when I want something celebratory and cheery. You’ll love the balance of sweet, sour, bitter, and bubbly.
I love that this recipe uses apple cider vinegar instead of pickle brine (yes, that’s a common ingredient in palomas). You’ll gain the blood sugar balancing bonuses from this ingredient swap.
This one pairs perfectly with my favorite fast no-cook summer dinners.
Saturday: The Day Drinking Mojito
Fill your cooler with this Hydrating Lemonojito Mocktail and sip it all day by the pool. It’ll be one of the most refreshing things you’ve tasted all week.
This bubbly drink combines the sweet lemon flavors of Ultima’s electrolytes with tangy Mayer lemon juice. Mint leaves, coconut water, and a splash of soda water will give you those island getaway feels.
The best part? You can start drinking this one after breakfast. All day drinking just got a whole lot better for you.
What’s a Shot or Two?
If fat loss is the finish line, alcohol may be your ball and chain. Those bubbly brews, mixed margaritas, and sweet sangrias are slowing you down.
But is all alcohol off the table? The short answer: it’s complicated.
I dive into the drinking glass in this blog, where you can learn how alcohol really impacts weight loss. So shake up one of the mocktails listed above, put your feet up, and give it a read.
Then, treat yourself to some self-care and sign up for my LEAN program. I’ll teach you science-backed, practical skills you can stick with for life that lead to long term fat loss.
It’s time your health gets to the top of your priority list. Join us, and see what can happen in four weeks.
