The Best Low-Sugar Mocktails With Guaranteed Anti-Aging Benefits

Trying to cut down on alcohol because you know it’s aging you? Here are some of the best low-sugar mocktails with simple ingredients packed with anti-aging benefits.

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I’ll be honest: I love nothing more than winding down at the end of the day with a crafted cocktail or a glass of wine.

There’s just something about relaxing on the back patio in the summer with a margarita or cozying up on the couch in the fall with a glass of cabernet.

But as I’ve gotten older, my body just doesn’t handle alcohol like it used to.

Not to mention sugar and other cocktail ingredients’ effects on my skin.

That’s why I’ve fallen in love with mocktails and playing around in the kitchen to find new, fun ways to make these as healthy as possible.

These are my favorite mocktail recipes lately that are sugar-free or low-sugar and packed with good-for-you ingredients and other health benefits.

Mocktail Essentials

First things first, stock up on some of these fun mocktail essentials.

I think it’s enjoyable and sophisticated to use wine glasses, giant ice cubes, and other garnishes to make these seem very “cocktail-esque.”

Favorite Mocktail Essentials From Amazon:

• Wine glasses: the square contemporary ones are my go-to mocktail ones that consistently make a drink feel fancy
• Ice Cube Molds: the large ones are commonly used for cocktails, so I love to add them to mocktails
• Handheld Milk Frother: mixes all ingredients and gives that quintessential frothiness
• Dried Fruit Garnishes: my absolute unnecessary necessity to elevate any mocktail
• Stevia Drops: these come in all kinds of flavors and add a little sweetness to your low-sugar mocktails without the sugar
• Cocktail Cherries: skip the basic maraschino cherries, and pick up the Luxardo to add a little luxe garnish. They are delicious!

What’s the Difference Between Mocktails and Cocktails?

Simply put, mocktails are non-alcoholic versions of cocktails.

I used to think mocktails were just fruit juices or sodas, but I realized they can be just as complex as a well-crafted cocktail.

Once you start mixing your favorite anti-aging ingredients into mocktails, you’ll feel much better knowing you’re getting a boost of anti-aging benefits, too

Speaking of anti-aging…

How Alcohol Ages You

If you haven’t listened to Andrew Huberman’s podcast on the effects of alcohol, I recommend giving it a listen. I have the video linked in the post: Alcohol is Aging You – Here’s How to Reverse The Damage.

I knew alcohol wasn’t healthy, but this really opened up my eyes to the scientific impacts of alcohol on the body and the aging process.

Alcohol consumption has been shown to accelerate aging through a variety of biological mechanisms.

• Alcohol dehydrates you. which can lead to dry, wrinkled skin. Dehydration also impairs the skin’s ability to repair and regenerate, further contributing to signs of aging.
• Alcohol metabolism produces acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct that damages the body’s tissues, including the skin. Acetaldehyde also inhibits the production of collagen and elastin, proteins essential for maintaining the skin’s firmness and elasticity. This can lead to sagging, dull skin with visible fine lines and wrinkles.
• Alcohol consumption can contribute to oxidative stress, which causes cellular damage, including in the skin. This oxidative stress can also lead to inflammation, a key factor in the aging process.
• Alcohol can disrupt sleep. Poor sleep can hinder the skin’s natural repair processes and contribute to a tired, aged appearance.

Benefits of Mocktails

Some of the biggest benefits of swapping cocktails for mocktails include:

• Better Sleep = glowing skin
• No Hangovers, guaranteed!
• Anti-Aging: I packed these low-sugar mocktails with good-for-you anti-aging ingredients. For example, vitamin C helps boost collagen production, which keeps skin radiant.

The Best Low-Sugar Mocktails

These healthy mocktail recipes are sugar-free or low-sugar and include anti-aging ingredients like citrus, coconut, and magnesium for radiant skin and better sleep.

01 | Chef Bae Zero Calorie Mocktail

This recipe started my mocktail kick.

Celebrity Chef, “Chef Bae,” created this super-simple zero-calorie mocktail, one of my all-time favorites. 

This sugar-free mocktail recipe is fun because when you mix powdered stevia with sparkling water, it foams and gives it a whipped texture like in authentic cocktails.

Warning: I don’t recommend using the handheld frother for this recipe if using powdered stevia because your drink can overflow quickly! 

Ingredients:

• 1 chilled La Croix (Chef Bae recommends the passionfruit)
• 1-2 T. Lemon Juice to taste
• 1/2 or 1 tsp of stevia (powdered stevia will make it foam!)

Instructions:

1. Pour LaCroix into a cocktail or wine glass
2. Add lemon juice and stevia
3. Gently stir 
4. Add a dehydrated lemon garnish (optional)

02 | Infamous Sleepy Girl Mocktail

The Infamous Sleepy Girl Mocktail was all over TikTok this past year, and it’s worth the hype!

This recipe incorporates a magnesium and tart cherry juice mocktail to help with sleep and relaxation. 

Tart cherry is high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which help muscle recovery. This Sleepy Girl Mocktail is my go-to when I’m training heavy and my muscles are sore.

I’ve tried a few magnesium powders, and let me tell you: get THIS ONE by Moon Juice.

The other brands I’ve tried are too acidic and don’t taste right. This Magnis-OM powder is a little pricey but oh so worth it.  It has three forms of magnesium and L-Theanine to make you relaxed and calm and supports brain health, muscle relaxation, and regularity.

Ingredients:

• Sparkling water (black cherry flavor if you can find it)
• 1/4-1/2 C. Tart cherry juice
• 1-2 tsp Magnesium powder 
• A few drops of liquid stevia (optional)
• Frozen black cherries or cocktail cherry for garnish 
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Pour sparkling water into a cocktail or wine glass with ice
2. Add about 1/4 C. – 1/2C. tart cherry juice
3. Add 1-tsp magnesium powder
4. Add stevia drops, is using
5. Gently stir or use the frother
6. Add cherry garnishes

03 | Coconut Lime Electrolyte Mocktail

Coconut water contains cytokinins – plant hormones that reduce the risk of age-related diseases and slow aging.

“Phytohormones, particularly cytokinins, one of the most interesting components reported present in coconut water. Cytokinins had shown some significant anti-aging, anti-carcinogenic and anti-thrombotic effects that contributed to the various health benefits.”

– Biotechnology and Nanotechnology Research Centre

Coconut water is also packed with electrolytes, antioxidants, and amino acids that hydrate and replenish the body.

The lime gives a boost to vitamin C, which helps protect the skin from oxidative stress and boosts collagen production.

Ingredients:

• 8oz coconut water (I like the Harmless Harvest brand)
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• Pinch of sea salt
• Stevia or Honey to taste
• Ice
• Lime slices for garnish

Instructions: 

1. Pour coconut water into a cocktail or wine glass with ice
2. Add fresh lime juice
3. Add stevia or honey to taste
4. Add a pinch of salt
5. Add lime slices for garnish

04 | Strawberry Mint Smash Mocktail

Strawberries are full of vitamin C and antioxidants, which help prevent oxidative stress and inflammation. Mint has anti-inflammatory properties and also helps digestion.

This strawberry mint combo is in my weekly rotation in the spring and summertime.

Ingredients:

• Can of sparkling water (strawberry or berry flavor works well)
• Fresh strawberries
• A few fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• 1 tsp honey or stevia to taste
• Ice

Instructions:

1. At the bottom of a glass, muddle the strawberries, mint leaves, lime juice, and honey or stevia until well combined
2. Add the ice
3. Top off with sparkling water soda and gently stir
4. Garnish with a mint sprig and fresh strawberry slices

05 | Orange Creamsicle Mocktail

Coconut milk is rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which have been shown to increase metabolic rate.

Coconut also contains lauric acid and essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamins C and E, which can help maintain healthy skin.

I love incorporating coconut milk into smoothies and mocktails because it gives a rich creaminess that balances citrus really well.

Ingredients:

• 5-6 oz. Orange Juice
• 1/3 C. cup of canned coconut milk (full fat, unsweetened) 
• Stevia to taste (I love the vanilla creme stevia)
• Ice
• Orange slices for garnish

Instructions:

1. Pour orange juice and coconut milk into a cocktail shaker with ice
2. Shake until chilled
3. Pour into glass
4. Add vanilla cream stevia to taste
5. Add orange slices and grated orange zest for garnish

06 | Cranberry Apple Spritzer

Perfect for the fall and winter! Cranberries are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which can boost the immune system.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cranberry juice (100% juice, no added sugar)
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1 cup sparkling water (or club soda)
• Fresh apple slices (for garnish)
• Fresh cranberries (for garnish)
• Cinnamon sticks (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Mix the Juices: In a large pitcher, combine the cranberry juice and apple cider. Stir well.
2. Add Sparkling Water: Just before serving, add the sparkling water to the pitcher and gently mix to combine.
3. Serve: Fill glasses with ice, and pour the cranberry-apple mixture over the ice.
4. Garnish: Add fresh apple slices and a few cranberries to each glass. For an extra touch, you can add a cinnamon stick as a stirrer.

These low-sugar mocktails taste great and provide natural antioxidants and hydration for long-term skin health. Mix and match these mocktail ingredients, and tell me what your favorite is!