If you like Pina Coladas . . . try them with no booze

Sing it with us: “If you like Pina Coladas, and getting caught in the rain . . .”

Who are we kidding? Getting drenched isn’t all that awesome, especially when wearing jeans and a flannel shirt. Thankfully, now that summer is here, we’re in for more sunny days than rainy ones.

There’s nothing like sipping a frosty beverage on a hot patio on a summer’s day. However, enjoying cocktails may seem counterintuitive if you want to live healthier, feel better, shed pounds, and save some money by drinking less alcohol.

Well, as it turns out, you can have your cocktail and drink it, too.

Many popular mixes can be just as tasty with less or no booze. Pack a glass with ice cubes, pour tonic water, diet cola or Clamato over the top, and squeeze in some fresh lime or lemon. The result is as refreshing and tasty as a regular gin and tonic, vodka and cola, or bloody Caesar. If you miss that hint of booze, use one ounce or just a splash instead of two ounces. If you’re more of a beer man, plenty of alcohol-free options exist. Every little bit helps, right?

Try these ultra-satisfying, non-alcoholic summer drink recipes to help quench your thirst on a hot day.

Sparkling Pom Collins

This non-alcoholic version of the Tom Collins puts a Vitamin C-rich twist on an old favourite. Makes one serving.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pomegranate juice
• Half a cup soda water
• 2 ounces fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
• Ice

Instructions

• Squeeze lime juice into two tall glasses filled with ice
• Pour in the pomegranate juice and soda water
• Stir and enjoy! So easy.

No-Booze Penicillin

This tasty take on a blended-Scotch classic replaces whiskey with black tea. It’s a festive option for entertaining a crowd. Makes four servings.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon loose-leaf black tea
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• A tablespoon of honey
• 2 ounces fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
• Ice

Instructions

• In a teapot or cooking pot, steep the tea in the boiling water. Let steep for about 4 minutes, then strain out the leaves.
• Add the ginger and honey to the tea, stirring gently until the honey is dissolved. Allow the mixture to infuse for 15 to 30 minutes, then strain out the ginger, pressing gently on the solids to squeeze out any remaining liquid. You should have about one cup of liquid.
• Add half the lemon juice, then taste and add more until the sour, sweet, and spicy balance is to your liking. Refrigerate the drink until ready to serve over ice.

The Nilsson

If you can’t decide between a pina colada and a daiquiri, this tasty option combines the two. Makes two servings.

Ingredients

• A bag of crushed ice
• 4 ounces fresh lime juice (from about 4 limes)
• 2 ounces coconut cream
• 4 dashes of pimento bitters (available at many liquor stores)
• 2 lime wheels for garnish

Instructions

• Fill two short glasses with crushed ice.
• Fill a large cocktail shaker two-thirds of the way with ice cubes, then add the lime juice, coconut cream and bitters.
• Shake hard, about 15 seconds, then strain into the glasses of crushed ice. Garnish with the lime wheels.

And there you have it: three awesome drinks with no booze!

Do you have any favourite mocktails you’d like to share with our readers? Please share in the comments below!