5 easy mocktails for radiant skin

tDuring the warm summer months, there are few things more satisfying than enjoying a refreshing and fruity cocktail on the terrace, by the pool or in some remote resort destination. What is not satisfied? Endanger your glowing summer skin for the sake of that buzz.

Just one glance in the mirror the day after a booze-filled outing will tell you that alcohol isn’t your skin’s friend. And according to the experts, you can blame alcohol’s dehydrating effect on dry and dull skin the next morning. “Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it can cause dehydration by increasing urine production,” says Sam Schleiger, functional dietitian and owner of Simple Functional Nutrition. “This can lead to dry, flaky, and dull skin.” Schleiger also points out that alcohol can cause inflammation, break down collagen, and reduce vitamin absorption — all health effects that can make your skin look less than ideal.

If you still crave summer-inspired flavors in margarine or mojito but don’t want to sacrifice your skin’s health, there are plenty of equally delicious mocktails that don’t contain dulling alcohol. Health influencer and storyteller Olivia Noceda began her journey of sober curiosity in early 2022, since then she’s been busy crafting and posting handmade mocktails to her Instagram account. themselves, these look even more attractive than other mocktails. And as a bonus, most of Noceda’s colorful concoctions include healthy skin-nourishing ingredients.

If Noceda was trying to create a particularly skin-friendly mocktail, she would usually look to collagen supplements (she uses Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides), but she also recently incorporated a surprising new part. “One thing that was really new to me that I found to be a great ingredient that is also super beneficial for the skin is catnip tea,” says Noceda. “Catnip belongs to the mint family, it really has anti-inflammatory effects and also acts as a natural antiseptic, which is great for the skin.” In addition to collagen and catnip, Noceda also praises ingredients like hibiscus, liquid fish oil, and butterfly pea flower tea that can be easily added to mocktails and work to transform skin from the inside out.

But related story

Before you start cutting back on mocktails, however, Noceda is quick to warn drunkards that not all mocktail ingredients are completely harmless. In general, she recommends avoiding recipes with a lot of added sugar, as sugar breaks down collagen and elastin in the skin. And for those with acne-prone and/or sensitive skin, she recommends staying away from chlorophyll or seaweed, as both ingredients have the potential to cause breakouts and irritation.

Now that you’ve seen all that’s possible with a simple mocktail, you might feel inspired to try mixing one (or two) yourself—make a recipe (or two) Delicious mocktails and we’ve got you covered. Up front, we’ve rounded up the best, summer-inspired mocktail recipes that combine one-of-a-kind ingredients with delicious and skin-friendly ingredients. Congratulations!

1. Kumquats and sour thyme

This kumquat-and-thyme cocktail from Noceda is the alcohol-free version of the herbaceous summer drink. Thyme is just one of many herbs responsible for promoting circulation and increasing blood flow to the skin. (Plus, it tastes great in a fruit cocktail). Thyme is combined with kumquat, a sour and aromatic citrus fruit packed with powerful antioxidants and vitamin C.

Ingredient
1/4 cup blueberries, cut and soaked
A few sprigs of thyme
1 ounce honey syrup (honey + hot water)
1 ounce of lemon juice
2 ounces NA whiskey, cold black tea or water
2 ounces orange or kumquat juice
1 egg white (substitute for aquafaba for a vegan option)
Stone

1. Pour thyme sprigs mixed with salt and/or sugar into chilled glass.
2. Place kumquats, thyme and honey in a mixing glass. Manual blur.
3. Add ice, lime juice, NA whiskey (or cold black tea or water) and orange or kumquat juice to a mixing glass. Shake well.
4. Place the egg whites (or aquafaba) in a separate glass. Use a hand mixer to beat until foamy.
5. Pour the iced drink into the rimmed glass. Top with foam.

2. Strawberry-basil lemonade

“This mocktail is made with skin-friendly ingredients like strawberries and basil, and is rich in antioxidants and compounds,” says Bash Hovian, mixologist and owner of BASH the bartender. Anti-inflammatory. “Lemon juice adds a refreshing dose of vitamin C, while honey provides a natural sweetener without the inflammation like refined sugar.”

Ingredient
1 cup fresh strawberries
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey (optional)
Carbonated water or club soda

1. Put the strawberries, basil, lemon juice and honey (if using) in a blender. Blend until smooth.
2. Pour the mixture into a glass and pour carbonated water or soda on top.
3. Stir well.

3. Watermelon chiller

Meet your new summer light best friend: the watermelon cooler. This recipe, developed by Schleiger, combines several skin-friendly ingredients — including watermelon, mint, coconut water, and lime juice — to create a truly delicious summer mocktail. According to Schleiger, watermelon is high in vitamin C (which is important for collagen synthesis), while hydrating coconut water and mint act as anti-inflammatory agents. As an added bonus, a splash of fresh lemon juice provides extra skin-brightening vitamin C.

Ingredient:
1 cup fresh watermelon
1/2 cup coconut water
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon honey or agave nectar (optional)
Ice cubes
Mint and watermelon sprigs, for garnish

1. In a blender, blend the watermelon pieces, coconut water, fresh mint leaves, lemon juice, and honey or agave nectar (if using) in a blender. Mix until smooth and bubbly.
2. Add ice cubes and mix again until mixture thickens and has ice.
3. Pour the mixture into a glass and garnish with mint sprigs and watermelon.

4. Paloma honey orange

If you’re looking for a worthy mocktail alternative to the summer favorite paloma cocktail, you can find it here. The Honey Orange Paloma mocktail, crafted by the team behind Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice, introduces orange juice, egg whites and honey for this traditional sourdough cocktail made with grapefruit juice. The sweet, citrus flavors pair perfectly with patio sipping, and they’re also incredibly healthy for your skin — even as a mocktail garnish. In addition to Vitamin C, oranges also contain folate, which can help prevent cell damage. Egg whites also contain beneficial proteins that can provide temporary anti-aging protection to the skin as it minimizes and tightens fine lines and wrinkles. The most surprising skin-loving ingredient in this mocktail is the garnish. According to Brayden James of Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice, the bee pollen particles used to decorate this mocktail have strong anti-aging properties due to the high nucleic acid content in the pollen.

Ingredient:
4 ounces fresh orange juice (James uses Natalie’s Orange Juice)
2 ounces fresh grapefruit juice (James uses Natalie’s Grapefruit Juice)
2 egg whites
2 tablespoons honey
Bee pollen beads for decoration

1. Place ice, grapefruit juice, orange juice, egg whites and honey in a shaker.
2. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
3. Pour into two glasses and sprinkle bee pollen on top.

5. Mimosa Black Musk

This mimosa mocktail is a great option for a binge-free brunch. According to nutritionist Amy Fox, in addition to simply being visually appealing, the formula also includes antioxidant-rich raspberries and thyme that can improve even the dullest complexion. Your mid-day light has never been more beautiful.

Ingredient:
1 tablespoon grenadine syrup
12 ounces sparkling water or ginger ale
Raspberries and thyme for garnish

1. Fill a champagne glass with cold carbonated water or ginger ale, then slowly pour grenadine over the top. Do not mix. Grenadine will slowly sink to the bottom.
2. Sprinkle blackberries and thyme on top for garnish.