10 Planners Share Their Favorite Healthy Alternatives

The mocktail industry is booming, but some meeting planners are seeking healthier alternatives to non-alcoholic beverages.

It’s all about the sugar.

Mocktails can be heavy on fruit juices, sodas, syrups and high-fructose corn syrup. So a drink category created to improve people’s health might not be all that healthy.

One thing is certain: Planners who aren’t drinking them certainly don’t want to be serving them. “I don’t drink a lot and don’t always want a mocktail. They’re too sugary,” said Beverly Hastings, meeting planner at the Florida Endocrine Association, Inc. “I always appreciate other options – there are so many unique sodas and teas now.”

We asked 10 planners for creative alternatives to the well-worn mocktail.

1. Garnish Bar

“A ‘garnish bar’ is a lot of fun. I let attendees dress up their own flat or sparkling water with various garnishes.”
Jennifer Murphy, vice president, meetings & incentives, Atlas Travel

2. Floral Drinks

“I love drinks with floral tones, like Sorrel hibiscus. It’s a spiced hibiscus tea with soda or tonic, with a beautiful red color and a kick of spiced tea tones. Add a small edible floral to the top.”
Ronni Burns, senior manager, meeting planning & events, Tuppwerware

3. Dessert Drinks

“Dessert drinks are fun and something everyone can enjoy. For those who want alcohol, it can be added, and for those who don’t want it, they can keep it as is. Everyone’s drink will look the same and they can talk about how yummy it is, so no one feels left out.”
Ginger Taylor, manager, event operations, ETC Network

4. Tonics and Teas 

“Among my favorite non-alcoholic drinks instead of mocktails: Fever Tree mixers, Topo Chico, flavored ginger beer and flavored green iced teas.”
Yolanda Hamer, event manager, Streamlinevents

5. Smoothie Shooters

“Smoothie shooters are always a fun option, or even a smoothie bar with drinks served in martini glasses or low rocks glasses, like the alcoholic cocktails.”
Ashley Patton, marketing manager, Tradeshow and Event Operations, Kastle Systems

6. Kombucha Kegs

“Kombucha kegs (a container that holds kombucha that is dispensed on tap using a draft system similar to beer and wine) were popular at an event I was at recently.”
Shannon Ryan, associate director, conferences and meetings, National Comprehensive Cancer Network

7. Zero-Proof Alcohol

“I actually like the current offering of zero-proof libations. You can find a variety of flavorful options that come very close to the flavors of vodka, gin, an Old Fashioned, a Bloody Mary and many more. There are some nice zero-proof sparkling options as well.”
Josh Adams, industry relations strategist, Streamlinevents

8. Coconut Water

“I offer a selection of coconut waters, either plain or in different flavors.”
Sonia Ciarlo, events manager, Cisco

9. Water Sommelier

“I bring in a ‘water sommelier,’ who has taught me some valuable insights about different types of water – both sparkling and flat options. It adds a unique touch to the experience.”
Magdalena Schneider, senior event manager, Moore Carlyle Consulting

10. Functional Beverages

“Consider functional beverages, drinks that are formulated with added ingredients to promote specific health outcomes, such as improved digestion, enhanced mental clarity, boosted immunity or increased energy levels. Examples include adaptogenic drinks, which incorporate herbs and mushrooms like ashwagandha, reishi and maca, and are believed to help the body adapt to stress; CBD-infused drinks, which contain cannabidiol and are said to offer calming effects without the psychoactive properties of THC; and nootropic beverages, which are formulated with ingredients that are believed to enhance cognitive function, focus and memory.”

David T. Stevens, co-founder, Olympian Meeting