Healthy Mocktails?

1 min

You are not the only one thinking about reducing alcohol intake. Evidence has been accumulating for years about the harmful effects of alcohol, and in 2025 Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory about it. That report presented evidence about the relationship between alcohol and seven different types of cancer – enough to make anyone think twice about how much they drink. Still, enjoying a cocktail with friends is so enjoyable that many are finding it challenging to give that up completely, making the “mocktail” a suddenly popular choice.

The problem is that many of these non-alcoholic drinks are full of sugar – some of the fruit juices and syrups used to make them sweetly appealing have hazards of their own. That doesn’t mean they are all off limits – you can enjoy a refreshing mocktail that’s fun without being unhealthy.

Some of my favorites are:

• Elderflower syrup and sparkling water – these two simple ingredients make a beverage with a whole lot of flavor. Watch my video about this delicious combination
• Matchatini, a new drink I developed with Kin Euphorics, has the health benefits of matcha without the jitters of high caffeine or the health risks of alcohol. See my video about it
• I have a special fondness for Andy’s Elixir, made with an ounce of sea buckthorn juice and an ounce of maple or glucose syrup mixed with soda water. Thoroughly shaken and then poured over ice, this is a refreshing drink with a distinctive flavor.
• The drink I call the Medicine Man is another way to enjoy buckthorn juice. Read more about this “miracle fruit” here.
• This energizing green tonic is a hybrid of a juice and a smoothie, totally refreshing!
• This honey-ginger lemonade is terrific any time, but especially refreshing on a hot summer day.

You can get creative and come up with your own mocktail recipes, too – and remember that a refreshing glass of plain sparkling water is always a good choice.

Andrew Weil, M.D.

Source
Alcohol and Cancer Risk: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory 2025