Why the mocktail movement is taking over wellness culture
Mocktails are no longer seen as substitutes – they are crafted for flavour and function.
Healthy sodas are emerging as the new base for clean, flavourful drinking.
There's a shift happening in how we socialise, celebrate and drink, and it's driven by a generation that's choosing consciousness over intoxication. Across South Africa and globally, Gen Zs and millennials are leading the sober-curious charge, favouring nonalcoholic mocktails over sugary cocktails or heavy drinks. And they're not just doing it for 'dry January'.
From gym bags to rooftop bars, clean-label beverages are finding their place in our everyday rituals, not as compromises, but rather as upgrades.
It's not about restriction; it's about balance.
While previous generations equated a good time with glasses of wine and tequila shots, today's youngsters are choosing sparkling mocktails after a 5km run, sipping vitamin-infused mixers at yoga brunches and celebrating birthdays with fizz – just not the alcoholic kind.
READ | On My Radar | In Bed by 9pm – how a mug of Horlicks became the new nightcap
Part of this wellness-driven movement is about prioritising physical and mental health. There's a growing awareness that alcohol, while socially normalised, doesn't always serve our bodies or minds. Whether it's about clearer skin, better sleep, improved focus or simply avoiding the dreaded hangover, more people are asking a simple question:
Does this still feel good? When the answer is no, mocktails offer a delicious alternative.
One reason this shift has real staying power is taste. There's nothing bland or boring about what's in the glass any more. Flavour, fizz and fun are all non-negotiables and a new wave of better-for-you sodas is stepping into the spotlight.
Take South Africa's own Pura, for example. It's not pretending to be an alcohol-free G&T or a faux bubbly – it's its own thing: bold, refreshing and bursting with flavour. Available in crisp combos such as Cucumber and Lime, Pomegranate, or Lemon and Elderflower, it's the kind of drink that holds its own in any glass.
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Light, clean and made with all-natural ingredients, it contains no artificial nasties and far less sugar than traditional sodas. This makes it an ideal base for a new kind of mocktail, one that suits the growing list of reasons people are opting out of booze, whether for a night, a month or for good.
At the heart of this shift is a cultural pivot away from performative partying and towards a more present, purposeful lifestyle. Whether you're spending a Saturday at a wellness festival, working your way through a digital detox or just trying to sleep better, beverages that nourish rather than deplete are becoming a clear choice.
Mocktails have also become the go-to post-run refresher and pre-Pilates hydration tool. They're not sugary sports drinks; they're crafted with intention, made for sipping slowly and, more importantly, made to make you feel good.
The DIY mocktail scene is also exploding. Think the nojito with fresh mint, crushed ice, lime and Pura Cucumber and Lime. Or the Pomegranate-Rosemary Spritz, tart and aromatic, best served with feet up and sunglasses on. Then there's the Lemon and Elderflower Thyme Smash that's floral, citrusy and perfect for Sunday slow living.
These aren't just drinks. They're rituals. They're the new form of social currency in spaces where alcohol no longer has to play a starring role.
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Even the design matters. These aren't cartoon-covered kiddie drinks. Wellness sodas such as Pura look sleek, feel premium and speak to a lifestyle that values aesthetics, health and meaning in equal measure.
And for many, the shift is deeply personal. Whether you're managing your mental health, training for your next marathon or navigating a busy family schedule, having a grown-up drink option without the drawbacks can feel like a relief ... or even a quiet revolution.
The mocktail movement is here to stay. It's reshaping what we bring to book clubs, what we pour into flutes at celebrations, and what we sip while journaling, meditating or just doing life.
Drinks such as Pura may not call themselves a wellness drink, but it fits the bill. It's part of a bigger story – one about choosing presence over performance, clarity over chaos and balance over buzz. Because feeling good isn't just the goal any more; it's the lifestyle.
And if your glass happens to be sugar-free, alcohol-free and topped with rosemary? Even better.
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