A Girl Trying Things

Over the last several months, I’ve been getting more creative with ways to make healthy habits feel a little more fun. One of my favorite new lifestyle additions has been experimenting with interesting mocktails.

I genuinely look forward to the creative process of testing new drink combinations. It’s low-stakes mental stimulation that has resulted in some truly comforting sips and has become a more mindful ritual for settling in at the end of the day.

When I first started making these drinks, I didn’t realize how much I would come to enjoy this part of my daily routine. What began as an evening habit has now expanded into an any-time-of-day addition. I no longer think of them as mocktails so much as hydration assistants.

I’ve enjoyed this process so much that I thought it was worth sharing with anyone else who wants to spice — or sweeten — up the otherwise mundane task of hydrating.


This is the drink that made me rethink hydration entirely:

Lemon Meringue Pie Mocktail

My favorite creation to date is a Limoncello La Croix–based, milk-forward drink that tastes remarkably like lemon meringue pie in a glass.

That may sound quite sweet, but this recipe is very adjustable, and I’ll talk more about that below.

The drink itself is incredibly easy to make. The carbonation from the sparkling water also helps to satisfy cravings for less healthy alternatives. It’s also very low in calories — I use stevia leaf extract as an all-natural sweetener, so the only calories come from the milk.

This Lemon Meringue Pie Mocktail hits that craving for something decadent and rewarding, without any regret.

Recipe: Lemon Meringue Pie Mocktail

Ingredients

• Large glass of ice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2-4 servings stevia leaf extract powder (to taste; varies by brand)
• 1 (12-oz) Limoncello La Croix Sparkling Water
• 2-4 oz milk (I use whole milk)
  
  (Optional: substitute a splash of heavy cream instead of milk for a more decadent, dessert-style treat)

Instructions

1. In a large glass, add the ice, vanilla extract, stevia leaf powder, lemon zest, and half of the Limoncello La Croix.
2. Stir well to fully dissolve the stevia leaf powder.
3. Top with the milk and remaining La Croix, stirring gently until fully combined.

At this point, you can strain the drink into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist for a more indulgent, mocktail-style presentation. Personally, I serve mine in a large mason jar with a long silicone straw.

The result is a creamy mocktail with bright lemon notes and a refreshing lightness full of hydration:

Customize Your Sips

I mentioned using heavy cream instead of milk, and that’s actually how I first began making this mocktail. Over time, I found I sometimes preferred something lighter.

• 2 oz milk will give a more effervescent and refreshing taste
• 4 oz milk adds a creamier component without the heaviness of cream

I’ve been using pure vanilla extract thus far. However, I recently picked up lemon and almond extracts and am very excited to experiment with those variations!

One thing I don’t recommend is adding lemon juice. I tried it once, and the acidity made the drink far too punchy. What I love most about this recipe is how mellow it is while still feeling bright and hydrating. For that reason, I stick to lemon zest and adjust the milk instead.

Feel free to play with the ratios — they’re easy to adapt, and what works best for you may very well change from day to day.

One evening, I muddled blackberries at the bottom of the glass before adding the rest of the ingredients and found it absolutely delightful. I imagine raspberries or blueberries would be lovely as well. (Hmm… A Blueberry Pie Mocktail may be on the horizon now!)

I just want to say this: Self-care doesn’t always mean powering through things in the name of health. It doesn’t have to be dreadful or boring. Sometimes it means finding ways to make good habits feel good, too. That is what will create sustainability over time.

Hopefully this inspires you to have a little fun with the process. Give it a try and let me know what creative combinations you come up with. I hope you find that self-care can be sweet as pie.

Salut!

A Girl Trying Things