We all have our go-to drinks that find their way onto our tables instead of water – but maybe there's a wholesome substitute you can make right at home with less sugar, less calories and overall less guilt.
There isn't a worse feeling in the world than when a favorite product is recalled or revamped by a producer – or, dare we say, removed from the shelf forever. This is especially true for the beverage industry, where major soft drink companies often try and revitalize a product that millions of consumers have come to depend on. Staple beverages will always be a constant on the market, but the list continues to grow of once-popular drinks that have now gone extinct – my greatest personal loss was Diet Coke Plus in 2009.
You should always primarily incorporate fresh water as a beverage alongside your meals and throughout the day. And yet we'd be kidding ourselves if we didn't admit that we enjoy a sweet beverage from time to time – but that doesn't mean you should reach for a product you become dependent on, especially when it's probably not anything contributing to a healthy lifestyle.
There's a way to avoid the pain of losing beloved grocery store finds, enjoy a refreshing sweetened drink, and maintain a healthy diet at the same time – and it starts and ends with you in the kitchen. Tea, carbonated mixes, and a slew of mocktails are the key to mixing your day-to-day menu up without pounding back sugary additives. Follow us as we share some shockingly simple recipes that work well all day long, all year long.
If you're buying this prepackaged, you're playing yourself – a few low-cost ingredients whisked together makes a large serving of the naturally sticky-sweet refreshment you can enjoy over an entire week.
A great alternative to those of us who go crazy for half-and-half carbonated blends, with just about 40 calories per glass.
This doubles as an amazing alcoholic refresher, but it's just as fabulous minus the booze and a great alternative to packaged lemon-lime sodas.
This Celery Soda is herbaceous and slightly peppery with a wonderfully dry finish.
This Bubbly Iced Tea totally calls for a funky koozie and is perfect by the pool. Feel free to sweeten with natural sugars or add a squeeze of lemon without guilt tripping yourself.
Orange juice and lemonade concentrate are two matches made in heaven when they're added to tea.
La Croix beverages are always a fan favorite that err on the side of being a safe bet for all meals, but you can definitely get tired of the same old flavor all the time. Give this update a whirl, with or without the liquor involved.