Healthy Hibiscus Mocktail with Jalapeño and Citrus (No Sugar)
Looking for a refreshing drink that’s bursting with flavor without the added sugar? This Smoky Jalapeño Hibiscus Cooler combines naturally sweet citrus, bubbly hibiscus sparkling water, smoky paprika, and fresh jalapeño for a vibrant mocktail that’s equal parts fruity, spicy, and refreshing. Ready in just minutes, this alcohol-free beverage is perfect for summer entertaining, backyard BBQs, brunches, or simply cooling off on a warm day. Add the optional spiced rim for an extra festive touch, and enjoy a colorful mocktail that’s as nourishing as it is delicious.
Light, fruity, flavorful mocktails are so simple—and good. Thanks to fruits, sparkling water, spices, and herbs, you can make your alcohol-free, added-sugar free beverage shine with refreshing taste. While many drink mixes are loaded with added sugars—cane sugar, corn syrup, honey, agave—this recipe for Smoky Jalapeno Hibiscus Cooler has no added sugars in the mixture. It relies on naturally sweet citrus to give it a slightly sweet taste. And smoked paprika and jalapeno to give to a spicy-smoky kick. You can create a spice glass rim, which has a pinch of sugar, to make your drink festive, but this is an optional step. Just whiz up the base of your drink in a blender, pour it in a glass with ice, top it off with hibiscus-flavored sparkling water, garnish it with some citrus and jalapeno slices if you like, and enjoy!
Reducing added sugars in beverages is a healthy habit. Consuming too much added sugars in the diet is linked with increased risks of chronic diseases and obesity—and this is of particular concern when these added sugars are in the form of beverages. It may be an even greater concern among children who drink too many sweetened beverages, who are at risk for childhood obesity. Studies show that when you consume beverages with added sugars and extra calories, you don’t make up for that calorie intake during the day. Essentially, those calories don’t provide you with a sense of fullness. Sweetened beverages are a concentrated of sugar and calories, so if you consume them frequently, they can boost your calorie intake for the day, promoting weight gain. That’s why it’s important to switch from sugary beverages like sweet teas, soda, sugar-loaded coffee drinks, “fruit punch”, and energy drinks to wholesome, low-calorie, no added-sugar drinks, such as this light Smoky Jalapeno Hibiscus Cooler. Cheers!
You can watch this video in partnership with AICR here.
Cool off with this Smoky Jalapeño Hibiscus Cooler, a refreshing healthy mocktail made with citrus, hibiscus sparkling water, jalapeño, and smoked paprika. This easy alcohol-free drink has no added sugar and is perfect for summer parties, BBQs, and everyday sipping.
Ingredients
Scale
Spice Glass Rim: (optional)
½ lime
1 teaspoon sugar
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
Cooler:
½ cup orange juice, unsweetened
1 small lime, juiced
¼ – ½ small jalapeno, sliced (depending on spice preference)
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
1 (12-ounce) can hibiscus flavored sparkling water, unsweetened
2 large ice cubes (or 6 small ones)
Garnish: (optional)
Orange, lime slices
Jalapeno slices
Hibiscus flowers
Instructions
Create a spice glass rim with two 12-ounce glasses by running the lime half along the edge of each glass. Mix the sugar, cinnamon, and smoked paprika together in a small saucer. Press each glass in the spice mixture to create a rim. Allow to dry for a few minutes before adding drink to glasses. If you choose to skip the spice rim, then use plain 12-ounce glasses in the following steps.
Make the cooler by placing orange juice, lime juice, jalapeno, and smoked paprika in the container of a small blender. Process for 1-2 minutes, until very well-blended.
Place a large ice cube (or 3 small ones) in each of the two glasses with spice rim (or plain glasses, if desired). Divide the blended juice mixture between the two glasses.
Top each glass with half of the hibiscus flavored sparkling water.
Garnish with orange, lime, and jalapeno slices, and hibiscus flowers, if desired.
