Cocktail & Other Recipes By Spirit Other Cocktails

8 Nutrition-Packed Cocktails to Make at Home Right Now

Drinking healthier is tastier than you think.

By
Olivia French
Olivia French
Olivia French is writer and content creator based in Charlotte, N.C., whose experience spans cocktail trends, travel and lifestyle.
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Updated 07/21/20
Chicken Soup Hot Toddy cocktail
Chicken Soup Hot Toddy Image:

Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

Whether you're still trying to make good on that New Year's resolution to be healthier or you're just in need of a detox of sorts, it might be time to reevaluate your drinking habits. All good things are best enjoyed in moderation and that certainly applies to cocktails. But you don't have to abandon booze altogether. With a little guidance, you can start drinking lighter, smarter and just plain better.

Low-proof cocktails are all the rage these days precisely because they allow for indulging without overdoing it. What's also in style is using ingredients associated with healthy living, from vegetables to green tea. These eight recipes all boast low proofs and are packed with goodness to, hopefully, help you live well and long.

  • Beet-On

    Beet-On cocktail
    Michael Tulipan

    Fresh beet juice is the base for this cocktail, so expect some possible blood-flow benefits as you’re imbibing. Mix it with arak, lemon juice, simple syrup and mint for a cocktail that’s both savory and warming, with a color that pops. Bartender Ruben Hernandez goes wild here and encourages you to garnish this gorgeous drink with a crumble of goat cheese. So, if you're feeling brave (and cheesy), go for it.

    Get the recipe.

  • Pimm’s Cup

    Pimm's Cup cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    In England, they say that summer hasn't arrived until you've had your first Pimm's Cup. Get some of your requisite daily fruit servings with this classic British sipper. Cucumber slices, strawberries, oranges, lemons and mint mingle with Pimm’s No. 1 Cup liqueur and Sprite for a light and refreshing drink that’s not too boozy. Feel free to substitute good ginger ale for Sprite. It'll provide an extra kick.

    Get the recipe.

  • Mimosa

    Mimosa

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Help fight off winter colds with the boost of vitamin C this classic brunch cocktail provides. Orange juice and your choice of sparkling wine are the only ingredients you need. If you’re feeling fancy, make a batch of Champagne ice cubes to keep your Mimosa cool. And insist on fresh-squeezed orange juice: It's worth it.

    Get the recipe.

  • Kumquat Smash

    Kumquat Smash cocktail

     The Gin Joint

    Kumquats are those adorably tiny citrus fruits with big, bright flavor and tons of antioxidants. Said to regulate digestion, boost the immune system and improve hair and skin, they also add a vitamin wallop to this smash variation. Muddle and then shake them with Old Tom gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur and nutmeg for a refreshing drink that just might help keep that winter cold at bay.

    Get the recipe.

    Continue to 5 of 8 below.

  • Bloody Mary

    Bloody Mary cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Up your veggie intake with this savory brunch staple. Vodka mixes with tomato juice, spices and a host of other veggies to garnish, so you can get your vitamins in. Tomato juice alone is loaded with magnesium and potassium, two minerals that are crucial to heart health, and is a great source of B vitamins to stimulate your metabolism. Not a bad way to start the day!

    Get the recipe.

  • Salty Ginger-Ade

    Salty Ginger-Ade cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    If you’re looking to ditch booze completely, try this non-alcoholic cocktail (a friendlier term than "mocktail"). Muddle a medjool date, salt, cumin and lime juice together, then mix with high-quality ginger beer. It hits all the right notes: sweet, salty, spiced and tart. You won’t miss the alcohol. Promise.

    Get the recipe.

  • Green Tea Highball

    Green Tea Highball cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Japanese whisky and soda water get a nice boost from green tea in this super refreshing drink. You can feel good about drinking an entire highball not only for its low-alcohol content but also for the tea’s antioxidant and fat-burning properties. Light on both the palate and while going down.

    Get the recipe.

  • Chicken Soup Hot Toddy

    Chicken Soup Hot Toddy cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Bring Mom’s chicken soup (and all of its healing powers) to your cocktail cart with this savory spin on a traditional Hot Toddy. Hot chicken stock provides a base for gin, celery bitters and fresh lemon juice. Garnish with a carrot stick, celery stick and fresh parsley for extra veggie power. And you know what they say about chicken soup––good not just for the body but for the soul.

    Get the recipe.