So, you're living that low-sugar or no sugar-life. And every mocktail you come across is nothing but simple syrups, sodas, and juices on juices on juices. Not anymore. These low-sugar mocktails are not only tasty, but they'll quickly become a staple. Zero-proof and low-sugar don't have to mean zero flavor and low fun anymore.
Apple Ginger Fizz Low-Sugar Mocktail
Ginger ale can be a little high in sugar, but using a low-sugar or diet ginger ale is a game changer, especially when you want those spiced flavors along with a little apple and cinnamon. Contains 6g (1.5 teaspoons) of sugar.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces apple cider
- 2 ounces nonalcoholic spiced rum, optional
- 2-3 dashes cinnamon bitters
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Crushed ice
- 4 ounces diet ginger ale
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, apple cider, nonalcoholic spiced rum, cinnamon bitters, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over crushed ice.
- Top off with diet ginger ale.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Most nonalcoholic or zero-proof liqueurs are also free of sugars or only have trace amounts.
The Ideal Low-Sugar Mocktail
Herbs and freshly muddled ingredients are a surefire way to make a low-sugar mocktail that's tasty and crisp. If you're looking for a sign to have an indoor herb garden, consider this to be it. This has less than 1g of sugar.
Ingredients
- 4-5 cucumber wheels
- ½ ounce still water
- 1½ ounces nonalcoholic gin
- 1-2 fresh dill sprigs
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Diet tonic water to top off
- Dill sprig and cucumber wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle the cucumber wheels with the still water.
- Add ice, nonalcoholic gin, dill sprigs, and lime juice.
- Shake well to chill and mix.
- Double strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with tonic water.
- Garnish with a dill sprig and a cucumber wheel.
One in a Melon Lemon Low-Sugar Mocktail
Fruits can run high in sugars, but fresh flavors and citrus juices won't derail your low-sugar quest. The sweetness of the melon is the perfect foil and flavoring here. This has about 8 grams (2 teaspoons) of sugar
Ingredients
- 3 ounces cantaloupe puree
- 1½ ounce freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Berry club soda to top off
- Mint sprig and lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, cantaloupe puree, grapefruit juice, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with berry club soda.
- Garnish with mint sprig and lemon wheel.
Reduce calories and sugar in this mocktail by replacing grapefruit juice with diet grapefruit soda. Shake the cantaloupe puree with the lemon juice and ice and top off with the grapefruit soda and berry club soda. This will reduce the sugar by about 4g (1 teaspoon).
Zero-Proof Spiced Up and Low-Sugar Ginger Mojito
When you think mojitos, you might think sugar, sugar, sugar. Thankfully, you can still sip that mojito in the sun with this version that's much lower on sugar. This has 1.5g sugar (about ⅓ teaspoon).
Ingredients
- 6-8 fresh mint leaves
- 1 ounce coconut water
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2-3 fresh ginger peels
- Crushed ice
- Lime club soda to top off
- Mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle mint leaves with coconut water.
- Add ice, lime juice, and ginger peels.
- Shake to chill.
- Double strain into a highball glass over crushed ice.
- Top off with lime club soda.
- Garnish with a mint sprig.
Skinny Nonalcoholic Low-Sugar Margarita Mocktail
Like a mojito, margaritas aren't known for being easy on the sugary ingredients. Until now. Maybe just make a pitcher to bring in the shade with you so you don't need to go back inside for more. This has 1g sugar (about ¼ teaspoon).
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces nonalcoholic tequila
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2-3 dashes orange bitters
- Ice
- Lime club soda to top off
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, nonalcoholic tequila, lime juice, orange juice, and orange bitters.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with lime club soda.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Low-Sugar Hibiscus Sangria Mocktail
Floral hibiscus tea adds all the sweetness you want and need in a zero-proof sangria without all of the juices and sugary ingredients. If you're not a hibiscus fan, consider using a blueberry or raspberry tea instead. Easy! This has 11g sugar (2¾ teaspoons).
Ingredients
- 4 ounces hibiscus tea, chilled
- ½ ounce tart cherry juice
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2-3 dashes cranberry bitters
- Ice
- Orange wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, hibiscus tea, tart cherry juice, lime juice, and cranberry bitters.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a wine glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with orange wedge.
Simply Mint to Be
Minty, cooling, and overflowing with watermelon flavors, you'll be dreaming of this low-sugar drink every night. Freeze cubes of muddled watermelon so you can enjoy this throughout the year. This has about 7g (2¾ teaspoons) of sugar.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces watermelon juice
- 3-4 fresh mint leaves
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Vanilla club soda to top off
- Mint sprig and watermelon wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, watermelon juice, mint leaves, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Double strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with vanilla club soda.
- Garnish with a dmint sprig and watermelon wedge.
To get that watermelon juice without the added sugar, cube watermelon into small pieces, then muddle away! Strain and you're left with tasty liquid watermelon gold.
Low-Sugar Mocktail Mule
The Moscow mule is a staple, but the sugar you find in ginger beer, not so much. Add a few extra ingredients to cut out some sugar and suddenly you have a mocktail mule that's tasty and low in sugar. This contains about 2g (½ teaspoon) sugar.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces diet ginger beer
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 dash mole bitters
- Ice
- Ginger club soda to top off
- Mint sprig and orange wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a copper mug or rocks glass, add ice, ginger beer, lime juice, and mole bitters.
- Top off with ginger club soda.
- Stir briefly to mix.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and an orange wheel.
Tips on How to Make Mocktails Low-Sugar
Looking to craft your own mocktails and get those creative low-sugar juices flowing? Put a few of these tips to use, and you'll soon be the master of low-sugar and zero-proof mocktails.
- Opt for ingredients that are naturally sweet, such as fruit or floral tea flavors.
- Instead of storebought citrus juices or even margarita mix, take the time to make your own so you can control how much sugar, if any, is included
- Mints and spices are an easy way to add flavor without inviting sugar to the party. Mint, basil, and cinnamon are all bold yet easy flavors to work with.
- Muddle fresh fruits instead of adding fruit-flavored simple syrups. You can also layer muddled ingredients by using a variety of fruits or including complementary herb flavors.
- Low-sugar mixers are an easy way to keep large amounts of sugar at bay. Diet tonic water and club soda as well as diet sodas won't bust the sugar bank, including coconut water.
- If you want to have a rim but don't want to use sugar, consider mixing a pinch of sugar with another ingredient, such as citrus zest, or using salt instead.
- Make your own simple syrup. While this will still have sugar, instead of a 1:1 ratio, you can use a 1 part water to a quarter part sugar ratio. Then, use or add flavors as usual.
Raise a Glass, Not the Amount of Sugar
Just because you want less sugar in your mocktail doesn't mean you want less flavor. And with a world of mocktail ingredients that aren't through the roof with sugar, there's no reason to say, "Just a club soda for me, thanks" anymore. Join the mocktail party with these zero-proof, low-sugar solutions.
