Whether it’s a BBQ dinner or an outdoor party, summer is filled with opportunities to drink.
Since alcohol is a no-no during pregnancy, you might feel relegated to water, juice or the kid’s punch bowl. But there’s recipes for drinks during pregnancy that are just as delicious as your friend’s beverages.
Whether you want to play mixologist or you’d rather something simple, we’ve got an idea for you on this list.
Keep reading to see BabyDoppler’s Recipe Collection of Pregnancy Summer Mocktails.
Alcohol During Pregnancy
There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy. Although some people may argue that a small amount is unlikely to cause harm, expert organizations recommend that expecting mothers avoid all forms of alcohol. Although the most risk occurs during the first trimester, even before a woman knows she’s pregnant, it can cause problems anytime throughout pregnancy.
Alcohol can cause abnormalities, growth problems, central nervous problems, low birth weight and more. It can also lead to miscarriage and stillbirth.
5 Tips to Enjoy Yourself Without Alcohol
If you’re not a drinker, going without alcohol during pregnancy is probably a breeze. But if you feel like you’re missing out, there’s some things you can do to better enjoy yourself.
Avoid Gatherings Centered Around Alcohol
It can be difficult or annoying to be around drunk people when you’re not drinking. If you can relate, consider if you should avoid those events altogether. If you’re gathering with friends for a night out, suggest activities that involve more than just drinking. For example, if they want to drink, suggest a ping pong or arcade bar so you have something fun to do.
Visit Establishments Serving Mocktails
If you’re gathering with friends, research and suggest establishments that have a larger menu of mocktails or non-alcoholic drinks to choose from. Looking this up ahead of time can improve your experience and help you avoid disappointment.
Ask Servers to Modify Cocktails
Even if mocktails aren’t on the menu, ask your server or bartender if they have any that aren’t listed. Many staff know standard mocktail recipes, even if they aren’t advertised. You could also ask them to make a specific cocktail but to leave out the alcohol. Although it’s not possible with all drinks, some recipes, like a mojito, will taste nearly the same.
Modify Recipes
If you’re having a home gathering, look up which cocktail recipes you can modify. For many, simply omitting the alcohol will be fine. For others, you can replace the flavor. For example, orange juice may be a good substitute for orange liqueur, depending on the recipe.
Spend Time with Sober Friends
You may find yourself naturally gravitating toward your sober friends or family members. Since they’re also not consuming alcohol, you’re less likely to feel left out. If you don’t have many sober people in your life, consider how you might meet some. For example, join a hobby group or class centered around an activity. Prenatal and birthing classes can help you meet people in your same position.
12 Summer Drinks During Pregnancy
Just because you can’t drink doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a beautifully crafted beverage. Get creative and explore new flavors with BabyDoppler’s Summer Mocktail Recipe Collection.
BabyDoppler Basil Smash
Enjoy this refreshing cocktail on a hot day or when you’re craving something fresh. It’s a perfect light drink that’s not overly sweet. If fruity cocktails aren’t your thing, you might enjoy this one instead.
Ingredients:
- 3 cucumber slices, quartered into small pieces
- 2 lime wedges
- 2 medium-sized basil leaves
- 1/2 oz. lime juice
- Ginger ale
- Ice
- 1 lime wedge for garnish
- 1 cucumber slice for garnish
Directions:
In a tall glass, add cucumber pieces, basil and lime juice. Squeeze lime wedges into the glass and then drop them in. Muddle using a muddler. Add ice. Top with ginger ale. Garnish with a lime wedge and cucumber slice.
BabyDoppler Berry Blast
Out of all the drinks during pregnancy, this tops the list for berry lovers. Although fresh berries are the best, you can also use frozen berries if that’s what you have on hand. To turn down the sweetness, use less cranberry juice and more soda.
Ingredients:
- 4 blueberries
- 3 raspberries
- 2 blackberries
- 1 tbsp. honey or agave nectar
- Cranberry juice
- Lemon-Lime Soda (Sprite, 7-Up, etc.)
- Ice
Directions:
Add blueberries, raspberries and blackberries to a shaker. Muddle using a muddler. Add honey and cranberry juice. Shake.
If you want your mocktail to be seedless, strain into a glass filled with ice. If you want to include the berries, simply transfer the mixture to a glass. Leave enough space to top with lemon-lime soda.
BabyDoppler’s Virgin Long Island Iced Tea
Traditional Long Island Iced Tea is made with cola and a variety of liquors. To replace that flavour, we’ve added real tea and lemonade.
Ingredients:
- Black tea, cooled
- Cola
- Lemonade
- Ice
- Lemon slice for garnish
Directions:
Fill a tall glass with ice. Add equal parts black tea, cola and lemonade. Garnish with a lemon slice.
BabyDoppler Girl Mocktail
Having a girl? Let everyone know with this reddish-pinkish drink! It’s sweet and sour with a refreshing kick thanks to the soda.
Ingredients:
- 3 raspberries
- 1 oz. lemonade
- Raspberry-cranberry juice
- Lemon-lime soda (Sprite, 7-Up, etc.)
- Ice
Directions:
In a short glass, add raspberries and lemonade. Muddle using a muddler. Fill with ice. Add raspberry-cranberry juice and top with lemon-lime soda.
BabyDoppler Boy Mocktail
If you’re having a boy, enjoy this blue-themed drink! It’s perfect for the baby shower or anytime you want a sweet treat. You can tone down this drink by adding less juice and/or using soda water instead of lemon-lime soda.
Ingredients:
- 3 blueberries
- 1 oz. lemonade
- Hawaiian Punch (blue)
- Lemon-lime soda (Sprite, 7-Up, etc.)
- Ice
Directions:
In a short glass, add blueberries and lemonade. Muddle using a muddler. Fill with ice. Add Hawaiian Punch and top with lemon-lime soda.
BabyDoppler Blackberry Bang
The BabyDoppler Blackberry Bang is a fruity cocktail that’s refreshing but not too sweet. You could also try this with other berries for a summer cooler.
Ingredients:
- 3 blackberries
- 2 oz. lemonade
- 1 tbsp. honey or agave
- Soda water
Directions:
In a cocktail shaker, muddle blackberries with lemonade and honey. Fill a short glass with ice and strain the mixture into the glass. Top with soda water.
BabyDoppler Dive Mocktail
Blue like the waters of the ocean, this mocktail is sweet with a tropical flavor added by the Hawaiian punch.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Hawaiian Punch (blue)
- White cranberry juice
- Ice
Directions:
Fill a short glass with ice. Add 2 oz. of Hawaiian Punch. Fill with white cranberry juice.
BabyDoppler Shirley Temple
The traditional Shirley Temple is made with 3 ingredients: lemon-lime soda, grenadine and maraschino cherries. The BabyDoppler version adds pineapple juice and a pineapple slice for a tropical summer twist.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. grenadine
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup pineapple juice (depending on your sweetness preference)
- Lemon-lime soda (AKA Sprite or 7-Up)
- Ice
- Maraschino cherry for garnish
- Pineapple slice for garnish
Directions:
Fill a tall glass with ice and add grenadine. Add pineapple juice. Top with lemon-lime soda. Garnish with maraschino cherry and pineapple slice.
BabyDoppler Fizz
This citrus and soda combination can be customized to your tastebuds. Add more orange or peach juice for sweetness. Or, add more soda for an enhanced refreshing flavor.
Ingredients:
- oz. orange Juice
- 3 oz. peach juice
- Lemon-lime soda (AKA Sprite or 7-Up)
- Ice
- Orange slice for garnish
Directions:
Fill a tall glass with ice and add orange and peach juice. Top with lemon-lime soda. Garnish with an orange slice.
BabyDoppler Citrus Cooler
When you’re looking for mocktail drinks during pregnancy, consider this liquid dose of vitamin C. To make it an authentic cooler, use freshly squeezed juices where possible.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. lime juice
- Grapefruit juice
- Orange juice
- Soda water
- Ice
- 1 orange slice to garnish
- 1 lemon slice to garnish
Directions:
Fill a tall glass with ice and add lime juice. Fill equal parts with grapefruit juice and orange juice, leaving about 3 inches at the top, depending on how fizzy you want it. Top with soda water and garnish with orange and lemon slices.
BabyDoppler Virgin Mojito
The traditional mojito can be made without alcohol and it still tastes just as refreshing on a hot day.
Ingredients:
- 2 lime slices
- 8 mint leaves
- 2 oz. lime juice
- 1 tbsp. honey or agave
- Sparkling water
- Ice
- Lime slice for garnish
- Mint sprig for garnish
Directions:
Squeeze lime slices into a tall glass and drop them in. Add mint leaves, lime juice and honey. Muddle using a muddler. Fill with ice and top with sparkling water. Garnish with a lime slice and mint sprig.
BabyDoppler Raspberry Lemonade
This fresh lemonade gives your regular pink lemonade a sour, fizzy kick. Use fresh or frozen raspberries.
Ingredients:
- 5 raspberries
- Pink lemonade
- Lemon-lime soda (AKA Sprite or 7-Up)
- Ice
Directions:
To a tall glass, lightly muddle raspberries. Fill with ice and add pink lemonade. Top with lemon-lime soda.
Summary: Summer Drinks During Pregnancy
If you have a lot of gatherings during the summer, it can be a difficult season to be pregnant. Whether you miss drinking or not, you can make every event better with a special mocktail. Use the recipes above to make delicious summer drinks during pregnancy.
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