Sugar-free mocktails for the glycemic-conscious customer

For dieting or diabetic customers, or simply for the growing number of Americans concerned about their sugar intake, sugar-free virgin drinks offer a sweet indulgence. The key to making a mocktail taste good lies in the primary ingredients, particularly the sugar-free syrups used to make the drink taste like the real thing.

Many of these mocktails call for a blender, juicer, or both. For the smoothest results, particularly with frozen drinks that call for blending ice, a blender that uses a vertical blending technology is best. The new quiet technology blenders, which are now surprisingly affordable, are great for maintaining staff sanity, and a more pleasant environment. A top-notch juicer is a must for the fresh fruit juices, which should be prepared in advance.

Here are three sweet and sexy virgin drinks with no added sugars—only the naturally occurring sugar in the fruit juices.

Sugar-Free Mango Nohito
(Adapted from a recipe by Monin)

Ingredients:
1/2 oz. Monin Sugar-Free Mango Syrup
1/2 oz. sugar-free mojito mix
2 leaves of mint
Sugar-free lemon-lime soda
2 wedges of lime
Ice

Instructions:
Add syrups, lime juice and torn mint with ice to a shaker and shake until mixed. Pour into serving glass and fill with sugar-free lemon-lime soda. Garnish with a slice of mango and a mint sprig.

Sugar-Free Frozen Virgin Tai
Source

Ingredients:
1 ounce sugar-free almond (orgeat) syrup
1 ounce pineapple juice
1 ounce sugar-free sweet & sour mix
2 ounces fresh orange juice

Ice

Instructions:
Place all ingredients in blender. Blend till smooth.

Sugar-Free Virgin Pomegranate Margarita
(Adapted from a recipe by Monin)

Ingredients:
2 oz. Monin Sugar-Free Pomegranate Syrup
4 oz. pomegranate juice
3 oz. sugar-free sweet & sour mix
16 oz. cup of ice
1/2 oz. lime juice

Instructions:
Combine ingredients, except ice, in blender. Fill serving glass with ice and pour into blender. Blend until smooth. Pour blended beverage into glass. Garnish.

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