Tea & Mocktails
Growing up I was never surrounded by alcohol, due to my family’s personal choice not to drink. While my immediate family abstained from drinking, my cousins chose otherwise. As the youngest in my family, I often felt left out. As a teenager, fitting in sometimes takes precedence over thinking logically. I remember being 16 years old on our family vacation where my cousins had copious amounts of alcohol within arm’s reach. Having never tried alcohol before, I decided to deviate from my family's standards and lean into temptation. While I decided to fit in, it made me feel included and accepted.
Now that I am older, reflecting on that scenario made me realize that acceptance is not always the best decision. Why is it that people question why you are not drinking but not when you do drink? As I have grown older, I have become more of a free thinker, but this journey is not as simple for everyone. A few months ago, I went out to dinner with my parents and ordered a mocktail. While it did not contain alcohol, it allowed me to feel included and free from judgment. In my experience, diverting from a crowd is not always easy, but opting for mocktails in a public setting can save you from uncomfortable scenarios.
While I do not drink myself, I have observed others who drink. I believe everything is okay in moderation, but everyone needs to give their body rest occasionally. Just as sugar intake needs to be modified, so does your alcohol consumption. In fact, most people consume more than they realize. Even though I do not drink, I thoroughly enjoy mocktails and tea as substitutes, but I also drink other addictive beverages such as coffee, diet coke, and energy drinks. So, while I do not “drink” I have experienced the life changing effects of substituting tea or a gut healthy mocktail for a toxic beverage. Like my addiction to unhealthy beverages, I have heard that substituting alcohol with tea or mocktails can help reduce alcohol intake.
Many people tend to use alcohol as a comfort mechanism, which is not necessarily healthy. According to TeaTonic, substituting tea can provide the same comforts as drinking a routine wine. Not only does tea offer similar comfort, but it also maintains blood sugar, therefore reducing the need to consume more. The leaves in green tea contain L-theanine, which have many benefits including relaxation which may help with reducing the need for alcohol.
Opting for tea or tea-infused mocktails is a much healthier alternative to alcohol. As it is different, its long-term satisfaction and health benefits can outweigh those of alcohol. My favorite mocktail is iced green tea with pineapple, orange, and lime juice. So, grab some 50Cups green tea and make a mocktail!