With friends

Friday night with the S.O., happy hour with co-workers, a backyard BBQ with friends. Social occasions often seem to revolve around booze. And hey, who doesn't like to wind down with a glass of wine or enjoy a jazzy lounge with a dirty martini. As the wellness becomes more mainstream, it's not that unusual to pass on the pitcher of margs.

Ditching the booze is becoming more common. Mornings without a hangover are always better than the unnecessary "another" drink (we won't bring up those shots either).

Here's a list of delectably satisfying recipes that make indulging in alcohol essentially irrelevant. Because we're drinking to enjoy, right? Perfectly delicious, and healthy, concoctions suitable for any occasion.

Mocktail Recipes

Spicy Jalepeno Margarita

1 cup ice
salt for rim
4 slices fresh jalapeno
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
Rub lime slice around rim of glass and dip in salt. Fill glass with ice. Add jalapeños. Pour orange juice and lime juice over ice. Stir & Serve

Watermelon Mojito

3 cups chopped watermelon
juice of 2 limes
1-1/2 teaspoons sugar
4 fresh mint leaves
Crushed ice, ginger ale, club soda

Blend watermelon, lime juice and 1 teaspoon sugar until smooth. At the bottom of each glass, muddle 2 mint leaves with 1/4 teaspoon stevia. Add in watermelon puree, filling about 1/2 full. Add ice, a splash of ginger ale and top with club soda. Stir to combine. Garnish with mint sprig and watermelon slice if desired.

Grapefruit Ginger Spritzer

1 part Grapefruit Juice
2 parts Ginger Ale/Beer
Ice Cubes, Cranberries and/or Mint Leaves for garnish
Fill a tall glass with ice cubes, and fill 1/3 full with grapefruit juice. Top up the remaining 2/3 with ginger ale, then add some cranberries and mint leaves for garnish if you like!

Apple Cider Sangria

Chop an apple and a pear into cubes, leave the skin on. Cut an orange into slices and peel a pomegranate. Add the chopped fruits to a pitcher (reserve some for garnish). Add apple cider and Canada Dry Sparkling Seltzer Water to the pitcher and stir to combine. You can also add sugar at this point (if using). Place the pitcher in the refrigerator to chill. When apple cider sangria is chilled, pour into serving glasses and garnish with the remaining fruits. Enjoy!

Rose Water Splash

1-2 tablespoon honey to taste (or substitute stevia)
a few drops of blood orange or pomegranate juice for color (optional)
3/4 cup sparkling water or more to taste
fresh roses for garnish (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake until combined and then strain into a glass. Pour in the sparkling water. Garnish with fresh roses.