Like it or not, alcohol is a major part of our daily lives. People enjoy wine with dinner, grab drinks with friends or coworkers after a long week, and raise glasses of champagne to toast newlyweds.
And while consumption in moderation (especially of wine) can offer a host of benefits (from promoting hearth health to providing cancer-fighting antioxidants), too much alcohol can seriously put a wrench in your healthy-living goals.
But for those of us looking to drink less booze, the non-alcoholic drink options out there aren't exactly exciting. And they don't quite serve the same purpose that many alcoholic drinks can when it comes to elevating your food. After all, nothing quite goes with steak quite like red wine, or pretzels with beer.
That's why we talked to Sylvie Gabriele, owner of Love and Salt, in Los Angeles, who shares some of her favorite non-alcoholic mocktails that will work with your own cooking. They're easy to make, delicious, and actually pair nicely with common foods you'd be cooking at home. Each recipe serves one. Watch the video above to see how to make them, and read on for the full recipe:
So-Cal Mule
Pairs best with: Fish
Ingredients:
3 oz sparkling limeade
2 oz pear juice
3/4 oz fresh lime juice
3/4 oz maple syrup
In a highball glass, combine limeade, juices, and maple syrup and stir. Add ice and garnish with a sprig of mint.
Ginger Fizz
Pairs best with: Chicken
Ingredients:
1/2 tsp grated ginger
2 thin slices fresh mango
2 oz mango juice
4 oz ginger beer
In a tall glass, muddle ginger and mango slices. Add mango juice and ginger beer and stir. Add ice and garnish with a slice of lime.
Sparkling Tart Apple
Pairs best with: Steak
Ingredients:
5 oz sparkling apple-grape juice
1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar
Pour juice into a wineglass and add vinegar. Garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary.