It’s fun to have a celebratory drink for that end of the day wind down, or at a weekend gathering. But alcohol doesn’t always have to be in the picture — in fact, it’s healthy to take breaks. As herbalists, our kitchens are stocked with ingredients that can double as delicious mocktail starters: syrups, herb infused honeys, herbal vinegars, bitters, and more. In the recipes below, I’ve turned some of my most popular herbal preparations, like elderberry syrup and homemade ginger ale, into inspiration for health-giving mocktail recipes.
People love these homemade drinks and more than once I have seen them inspire people to more herbs into their lives.
Ancient Drink, Ancient Warnings
Alcohol has been part of human culture around the world since ancient times – and it isn’t difficult to find warnings about the effects of drinking too much in mythology and millenia-old manuscripts.
In ancient Rome, Pliny the Elder (AD 23/24 – AD 79) suggested that too much wine harms the mind and causes madness. He added that while wine is known to bring truths from our lips, the type of truths spilled under the influence are often better left unspoken. Similarly, the Roman philosopher Seneca the Younger (4 BC – AD 65) warned of wine’s addictive nature, and noted that drunkenness can reveal the worst sides of our character.
Today we’re more likely to explain the negative effects of alcohol in scientific terms. Long-term, excessive use of alcohol is linked to an array of health problems: high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, digestive problems, and increased cancer risk, not to mention the complications of managing a physical addiction.
“These mocktail recipes were formulated to give you options for flavorful, satisfying alternatives to alcohol – and they have some impressive health benefits to boot.”
I have a lot of alcoholism in my family history that caused a lot of suffering, to say the least. My grandmother died of alcohol related liver failure and one of my grandfathers died from drowning in his own vomit. Maybe too much information for my nice, inspiring herbal newsletter, but it happens every day and is just one of the possibilities of what can go wrong when you get too drunk.
I was part of a big party culture when I was in high school and was well on the path of developing possibly a life-long addiction. Then at 19 years old, my grandmother died and there was a reality check around alcohol. I had started college and I somehow made the decision that I loved learning more than waking up not being able to think very well. So, I dove into school and let go of the party. Whew. Glad things went in that direction.
The Benefits of a Break
Alcohol is a bit like fire. If used with intention it has great value — in alcohol’s case as a powerful preservative and solvent with analgesic properties. In social settings, it can help ease jitters and set a celebratory tone. But alcohol can do great damage in our lives if our use grows out of control.
Taking a break from any mind-altering substance gives us a chance to evaluate our relationship with it. We might gain insights into our motivations for imbibing, or notice effects we didn’t realize it was having on our lives. Of course, for some it’s easier to be through with the question of how much is too much, and simply quit altogether.
No matter where you are on your journey, these mocktail recipes were formulated to give you options for flavorful, satisfying alternatives to alcohol – and they have some impressive health benefits to boot.
Mocktail Recipes to Warm Your Body & Soul
We don’t have to choose between our health and a well-crafted drink at a gathering or the end of a long day. These warming mocktail recipes deliver complex flavor for a satisfying sip, as well as health benefits from the herbs in them.
Pomegranate & Molasses Mocktail
Featuring Iron Tonic Syrup, this earthy, sweet-and-sour toddy is packed with iron-rich herbs and fruits that will help build your blood while you enjoy a delightful drink.
Pomegranate & Molasses Mocktail
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the Iron Tonic Syrup, honey, lime juice, and pomegranate juice.
- Pour the mixture into a mug.
- Top off with hot water.
- Garnish if desired.
- Enjoy!
Elderberry Elixir Mocktail
Made with immune-supportive Elderberry Juniper Syrup and vitamin-C-rich citrus juices, this delicious drink offers valuable immune-boosting properties during cold and flu season.
Elderberry Elixir Mocktail
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Elderberry Juniper Syrup
- 1/4 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed if possible
- 1 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed if possible
- 6 oz hot water
- Optional garnish: zest or slice of orange
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the Elderberry Juniper Syrup, orange juice, and lemon juice.
- Pour the mixture into a mug.
- Top off with hot water.
- Garnish if desired.
- Enjoy!
Cranberry Ginger Mocktail
Ginger has a long history of use in folk medicine for promoting digestion and increasing circulation. It’s the latter that gives this iced drink a warming quality. Here, Homemade Ginger Ale is paired with cranberry and orange for a festive take on the Moscow Mule.
Cranberry Ginger Mocktail
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Homemade Ginger Ale
- 1/2 cup cranberry juice cocktail
- 1/4 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed if possible
- Ice
- Optional garnish: cranberries, slice of orange or lime
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the Homemade Ginger Ale, cranberry juice, and orange juice.
- Fill a glass or copper mug with ice.
- Pour the mixture over the ice.
- Garnish if desired.
- Enjoy!
To Your Health
May these warming mocktail recipes support you on your path, bringing the delight of a celebratory drink, the complex flavors of a cocktail, and gifts of health from the plant world. Cheers!
Join me in the kitchen? In my online class, My Herbal Kitchen, you’ll get step-by-step guidance (via pre-recorded video) revealing practical ways to support your family’s health with medicinal meals, even if you’re short on time or dealing with the pickiest of eaters.
For more warming drink recipes, see:
Immunity-Building Mulled Cider
Chai Honey Latte
Cumin, Coriander, and Fennel Tea
Hi! Both of those terms are linked to the respective recipe. Just click on the words and it will take you to the recipe.
Hi Kami I’m also glad you went into the healthy direction. I love all your wisdom and passion for herbalism. I love your personal stories and enjoy your recipes. I get excited when I find the herbs you speak of, in the fields, knowing now that they are beneficial and have been used in ancient times. Thank you so much , Diane
Thank you for your kind message, so sweet! I love what I do and am happy you are enjoying my life’s work!