Seven Lucky St. Patrick's Day Drinks & Mocktails (Healthy, Refined Sugar, & Alcohol Free)

By Anna Hazard

Introduction

Here are a selection of non-alcoholic beverages that are suitable for St. Patricks Day due to their being "green" (in both coloring and in the use of their fresh ingredients). The recipes span a wide range of styles from thick smoothies to sweet shakes, light bodied juices, and various forms of mocktails and other virgin drinks that can be found as both savory or as desserts.
 
The focus is on drinks with all natural and healthy ingredients that are in-season or easily available from local grocery stores. Beverages have also been chosen for their smooth textures suitable for those with swallowing or chewing difficulties. All recipes also eschew refined sugars (some using natural sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup instead) with most of them being dairy-free as well. Most will require the use of a blender in order to achieve the proper consistency for their ingredients. Other helpful kitchen tools also include juicers, muddlers, and various forms of strainers.

Recipes

The Green Caesar Non-Alcoholic Cocktail

• This dark green mocktail was made as a non-alcoholic variation harkening back in savory taste towards a  caesar cocktail. In order to re-imagine the taste of a caesar salad, fresh ingredients such as arugula lettuce, spinach, parsley, lemon, limes, and vine tomatoes are used. Other ingredients include water as well as a selection of spices such as cayenne pepper, ground coriander, and fresh ground black pepper as well as worcestershire sauce (a condiment known for its health benefits due to the vitamins such as B6, E, C, and K that it possesses). Due to its spicier nature, this drink is a particularly good St. Patrick's Day beverage choice for those seniors who may have failing taste buds due to age. The sea salt lined rim suggested in the recipe can be left out for those drinkers who may have higher blood pressures. A blender as well as a strainer will be needed in order to make this particular recipe.
• The Artful Desperado

Minty Kale Limeade Mocktails

• This vibrant green mocktail (created to mimic a margarita in taste) can be made using fresh & healthy natural ingredients such as kale, mint, and limes, all of which help to give the drinks its eye-catching coloring (and which can also be added as garnish). Other ingredients include, water, ice, honey (for sweetening), as well as sparkling water. The sparkling water can be left out if a normal juice would be preferred over a mocktail. This particular recipe will require the use of a juicer or blender. Leftover pulp can be removed for those after a liquid with a thinner consistency.
• Imma Eat That

Matcha Mojito Mocktail

• This bright green mocktail uses a mojito based flavor profile with matcha green tea powder (the healthiest variety of green tea available packed with anti-aging & brain boosting antioxidents) as its base. Other natural & healthy ingredients include fresh mint, limes, and water/ice. Instead of refined sugar,  a small amount of pure maple syrup (which contains more anti-oxidents and other minerals) is used as a sweetener instead. Unlike the other recipes, this beverage does not require the use of a blender, although a muddler (for the mint & limes) or a whisk for the matcha powder could came in handy. Wooden spoons can be used in replacement if neither utensils are available. As this drink has a finer & thinner consistency, a thickener can be added for those seniors with more severe forms of dysphagia or aspiration.
• The Tea Cup of Life

Avocado Smoothie

• A staple for healthy and delicious snacks & desserts, this pale green beverage makes an excellent addition to a St. Patrick's Day table, especially for those senior loves ones who make have trouble chewing more chunkier ingredients or who may have trouble swallowing thinner liquids without choking. The main base of the smoothie is creamy avocado with additional healthy ingredients such as banana, orange juice (preferably fresh squeezes), ginger (particular beneficial for those who may have digestive problem by over-indulging in other treats), ice, and plain Greek yogurt (which is the healthiest variety of yogurt available). Like with most smoothies, this drink will require the use of a blender.
• Better Homes & Gardens

Healthy Shamrock Shake

• This thick drink is a green smoothie redone in the style of a sweet milkshake (as are the normal style of Shamrock Shake recipes) thus making it suitable for a late snack or as a dessert. The all natural ingredients that give this shake its festive coloring include avocado (for extra creaminess), baby spinach, and fresh mint. Other ingredients include bananas (previously frozen to help create a suitable shake texture), unsweetened coconut milk, and pure vanilla & pure mint extract for a stronger taste. Raw cacao nibs can be added as a garnish for those drinkers without any forms of dysphagia that may make swallowing solid chunks more difficult. The shake's otherwise thick & creamy body is particularly suitable for those who may have chewing or swallowing problems. This recipe will require the use of a blender to create a milkshake smoothie texture.
• Emily Kyle Nutrition

Peppermint Patty Green Monster

• A sweet treat that could be used as a snack or a dessert, this thick pale green beverage was created to harken back in taste to the green beer often consumed on St. Patrick's Day. It can be made using fresh & healthy ingredients such as mint, spinach, banana (frozen before use to help create a thicker body for the beverage). Other ingredients include non-dairy milk (options include almond, soy, hemp, or rice), optional peppermint extract for a stronger taste, as well as shaved dark chocolate as garnish (a healthy addition for those able to swallow small additional chunks within their drinks due to its antioxident properties). This drink will also require the use of a blender in order to create it.
• Oh She Glows

Kiwi Cucumer Agua Fresca

• This light & refreshing drink has a soft yellow-green tint to its coloring due to the presence of kiwis in its ingredients (both as the main base and as an optional garnish), thus making it a perfect addition to any St. Patrick's Day meal. Other simple and all natural ingredients include cucumber, water, and a small amount of pure 100% honey (with raw honey being another good source of antioxidants). This recipe will require the quick use of a blender as well as a strainer to draw out any excess seeds or pulp that may pose as a choking hazard to those with more severe forms of dysphagia. As the drink is light bodied with a thinner consistency, it may require the addition of a thickener for those with trouble swallowing more watery liquids.
• Tried and Tasty