They say, “You are what you eat.” We would like to modify that adage to add — ‘You are what you eat and drink’. And while good ol’ H2O has long been the elixir of life, it now has the distinguished company of ‘detoxifying mocktails’, all made with ingredients that are good for you. It was a trend that was predicted for 2017, and has clearly caught on with restaurants and watering holes offering you a range of detox mocktails, so you can drink up and raise a toast to a healthy lifestyle.
How it became the go-to drink
It’s not like detox drinks did not exist before, it’s just that people would have them as a fix later in the evening or the following day as a way to get rid of toxins consumed. Dimi Lezinska, director of beverages at The Good Wife, shares, “In the last few years, we have seen a number of people opting for a healthier lifestyle. That doesn’t mean they cut out on elements completely as they still like to have a good time. They opt for a drink that has healthy ingredients like kale or beetroot.” He goes on to explain that the idea is to try unique, healthy ingredients in drinks, which actually taste great and strike a balance as opposed to having your drinks and then going for a detox drink after that. Teetotallers along with millennials have changed the game here. Pranav Mody, mixologist at The Sassy Spoon believes our current lifestyle has created a space for non drinkers looking to have a good time without fuelling up on alcohol. He says, “With increased free radicals in the air and our crazy work-life I don’t see the demand fading. People want to be healthy and this is an easy way, to incorporate healthy elements into our diet.”
If alcohol is not your choice of poison
Veering towards a healthy lifestyle is just one of the many reasons why the detox mocktail trend has found takers both in India and abroad, the other is a quest for non-alcoholic options for teetotallers. Chef Kaustabh Deshpande of Luca, explains, “Not everyone drinks, and detox mocktails are a great option for those, who simply want something minus any alcohol.” Chef Dev of Su Casa too is rooting for the trend. He adds, “We are constantly consuming toxins, whether it is in the from of drinks or food. We need to get rid of the toxins. Hence, I believe that this trend is here to stay as it’s catering to a demand for healthier alternatives.”
Millennials played it right
While millennials have taken well to avocado making it the toast of town, they have also contributed to the popularity of detox mocktails according to Sonali Mullick, regional manager, Henpecked. She says, “The trending sober scene is encouraging many mindful millennials to host booze-free social gatherings. It is providing social alternatives to the bar scene. On the other hand, mixologists are getting innovative with fresh herbs, exotic fruits and home-made syrups. Detox mocktails make the mocktail feel authentic and are flavoursome despite what their ingredients tell you. Besides, they are also kid-friendly. Hence, the trend of functional beverages is here to stay!” And while they have many takers there are others, who believe, it’s just a fad. As in the case of mixologist Sandeep Sharma. He opines, “No one goes to a bar to detox. People may do it for a while. It’s a trend now, but like all other fads, it will not last long.”
