Mocktails So Delish You Won't Miss the Alcohol

Fruits and veggies are at their peak during the warmer weather and what better way to enjoy them, than in a drink. At your next get together serve up your favorite drinks, sans the alcohol, for a festive addition filled with vitamins and minerals.

Nutritionist Lorraine Kearney relies on one ingredient to make the recipes for all of her delicious drinks easier to create. "I recommend making a batch of simple syrup for your mocktails if you plan on having parties during the summer." says Kearney.

Simple Syrup

Over medium heat add equal parts water and sugar to a pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat until the sugar has dissolved and has a syrupy consistency. Remove from heat and let cool. Add simple syrup to a mason jar, or an airtight container. Store in a refrigerator for up to 6 months.

Here are four awesome drink recipes that won't get you toasted.

Raspberry Virgin Mojito

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon simple syrup
• 4 to 6 raspberries
• 6 to 8 mint leaves
• 3 lime wedges
• 1 cup seltzer water

Directions:

1. In a mason jar or hurricane glass, add simple syrup, raspberries, two lime wedges and mint leaves. Muddle or mash ingredients to release the natural flavor of the fruits and herb.
2. Fill glass with ice-cubes and seltzer water. Stir in raspberry mix, garnish with a lime wedge.

Health Benefits: Recent studies show that consuming flavonoids from fruits such as raspberries, may increase brain function and decrease the chances of mental decline in later years. Also it has been found that red raspberries may play a role in killing colon and stomach cancer cells.

Watermelon Slushie

Ingredients:

• 2 cups watermelon
• 1 cup watermelon rind
• ¼ cup water, add more as needed
• 8 to 10 mint leaves
• 4 oz. 100% cranberry juice
• 4 oz. seltzer water

Directions:

1. In a blender or food processor, add watermelon, rind and water; pulse on high until it is completely blended and fluid. Transfer to an ice-cube tray. Place a mint leaf in each ice-cube and put in freezer for three to four hours.
2. Fill a large wine glass to the rim with watermelon-mint ice-cubes. Add cranberry juice and seltzer water. Stir, and then garnish with a mint leaf.

Health Benefits: The rind of a watermelon contains chlorophyll, which may decrease the risk of developing colon cancer. Watermelon also supplies us with potassium that can help to temper sodium's negative effect on our blood pressure.

Gazpacho Mary

Ingredients:

• 4 basil leaves
• ½ cucumber, sliced
• 1 jalapeño, sliced with seeds removed
• ¼ lime, juiced
• Pinch of Himalayan Pink sea salt
• Fresh black pepper

Directions:

1. In a cocktail shaker, add cucumber, jalapeños and lime, and muddle ingredients. Add ice, tomato juice, salt and pepper. Shake well.
2. Pour ingredients into a tall glass and garnish with a lime wedge.

Health Benefits: Jalapeño peppers pack more than a spicy punch. "It can help clear nasal congestion and act as an anti-inflammatory to decrease pain associated with arthritis and joint inflammation," says Kearney. These little peppers are also high in vitamin C , which has been shown to help support a healthy immune system.

Ginger Delight

Ingredients:

• 1 inch ginger, grated
• 1 tablespoon simple syrup
• 3 Basil leaves, torn
• 3 lemon, wedges
• 4 oz. spring water
• 4 oz. seltzer water

Directions:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add simple syrup, ginger, two lemon wedges, two basil leaves and water. Shake well.
2. Strain ingredients into a martini glass, top with seltzer water and garnish with remaining lemon wedge and basil leaf. 

Health Benefits: Ginger has been long thought to help relieve issues such as nausea, loss of appetite, motion sickness and pain. Today experts recommend its use for the treatment of upset stomach, motion sickness and the pain associated with osteoarthritis.