{"id":13278,"date":"2023-02-15T11:04:56","date_gmt":"2023-02-15T11:04:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/?p=13278"},"modified":"2023-02-15T15:13:57","modified_gmt":"2023-02-15T15:13:57","slug":"say-yes-to-mocktails","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/winter-2023\/say-yes-to-mocktails\/","title":{"rendered":"Say Yes to Mocktails!"},"content":{"rendered":"

H<\/span>aving a cocktail before dinner or when out with friends certainly can add to a festive mood. But, there are times when the idea of a cocktail seems like a good one, but you wish the drink did not have alcohol.<\/p>\n

In fact, for older adults abstaining from time to time or even completely might be in order, particularly when they have health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, liver issue, osteoporosis, or memory problems.<\/p>\n

Many older adults, according to a University of Michigan poll<\/a>, do like to drink.<\/p>\n

Two in three adults aged 50\u201380 (67%) reported drinking alcohol at least occasionally. Among those who drank, 42% drank monthly or less often, 19% two to four times per month, 18% two to three times per week, and 20% four or more times per week. On a typical day of drinking, the majority (77%) consumed one to two drinks, 17% had three to four drinks, and 6% had five or more drinks.<\/p>\n

Why do older adults drink?\u00a0<\/strong>The study showed most liked the taste (50%), and drank to be social (49%), with some who like it to relax (38%). Only 10% gave to cope with stress as a reason, and 5% to help with pain.<\/p>\n

Some folks try to abstain for a month, like in Dry January<\/em><\/a> or Sober October<\/em>. It\u2019s been ten years since \u201cDry January\u201d began, and now has a life of its own.<\/p>\n

The campaign got its start when Frank Posillico, based in Huntington, New York, tried not drinking alcohol for the month of January\u00a0 2008. Emily Robinson in the U.K. was inspired by Frank’s success story and tried it also in January 2011 to get ready for a half marathon. Bolstered by the personal benefits she discovered and by others\u2019 interest, she began the campaign with the U.K. organization,\nAlcohol Concern, now called Alcohol Change<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Thankfully for those seeking non-alcoholic drinks, there are more creative ideas today than a Shirley Temple or Virgin Mary.<\/p>\n

Enter the mocktail \u2026 a great alternative when the toast Here\u2019s to you, or here\u2019s mud in your eye does not always have to follow with an alcoholic drink.<\/p>\n

What is a mocktail? Technically it is not a new word, but it is gaining traction. The first use of the word, according to Merriam-Webster, is 1916 \u2026 the same year as bathing beauty, cutie-pie and doozy, by the way. Go figure. A mocktail is defined as a usually iced drink made with any of various ingredients (such as juice, herbs, and soda water) but without alcohol: a nonalcoholic cocktail.<\/p>\n

Of course, drinks without alcohol were made before then, but the term became part of the vernacular.<\/p>\n

For new ideas, we turn to the latest alcohol-free recipe book, The New Mocktails Bible\u2026 When you\u2019d like a drink but not the alcohol. 250 Tasty Recipes \u2026 An All Occasion Guide to an Alcohol-Free Zero-Proof, No-Regrets, Sober-Curious Lifestyle<\/em><\/a>, by Anne Schaeffer.<\/p>\n

The 208-page soft-cover book is loaded with fun and delicious recipes to try. If your bar equipment seems a bit sparse, the book includes a guide to what you might choose to stock up on\u2026 from a jigger and cocktail shaker to an ice crusher and blender. What non-alcoholic base spirits, liqueurs, aperitifs, mixers, juices, syrups, and cordials might you add to your bar?<\/p>\n

Ready to sample?<\/p>\n

Here are three recipes from the book we love \u2026each a variation on a traditional alcoholic cocktail.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/h4>\n

Non-Alcoholic Margarita<\/h4>\n

This recipe is an alcohol-free version of the iconic Tommy\u2019s Margarita from San Francisco. You can use any non-alcoholic tequila you prefer, but The Dry Goods Beverage Company<\/a> particularly likes it with Ritual Zero Proof Tequila Alternative for a fresh, spicy drink or with Free Spirits The Spirit of Tequila for a more mellow rendition. Recipe by Adrienne Krausz of The Dry Goods Beverage Company.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Maple Bourbon Old-Fashioned<\/h4>\n

A muddle-free version of this festive classic that leaves your head less muddled too! Recipe by Steve Turner at The Free Spirits Company<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Virgin Pina Colada<\/h4>\n

Coconut cream may be difficult to find, but it will make all the difference for this perfect alcohol-free tropical delight.<\/p>\n

Enjoy!<\/p>\n

Cheers \u2026 Salud \u2026 Cin cin \u2026 Sante \u2026 Skal<\/em><\/p>\n

Down the hatch!<\/em><\/p>\n

Recipes and photos used with permission: New Mocktails Bible: All Occasion Guide to an Alcohol-Free, Zero-Proof, No-Regrets, Sober-Curious Lifestyle …<\/em> 250 Tasty Drink Recipes Made with Fresh Ingredients.<\/em><\/a>\u00a0(Fox Chapel Publishing)<\/h5>\n
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