Did your glass stay dry during the January abstaining period? According to reports, countless individuals have been choosing to forego their usual weekend alcohol consumption, sticking with alcohol-free mocktails instead for the first month of the new year.

The main appeal of this ambition is the underlying health benefits linked to abstaining, such as reduced body weight, minimal liver fat, improved blood sugar readings, and elevated mood and energy levels. It's also a strategy that works for those looking to save a few pennies, with three out of four people citing cost saving as their primary motivation according to market research company Morning Consult.

Whether you stuck to the plan or abandoned ship midway, here are some tastier, yet healthier versions of your favorite cocktails to try.

The key is to start with a clear spirit like vodka, gin, tequila or rum which are generally lower in calories and sugar than their creamy counterparts, indicates Lauren Hassan, a registered dietitian nutritionist and head chef at Something Blue Catering & Cocktails. Drinks with fewer ingredients tend to support your health goals better.

Using freshly squeezed citrus or soda water as mixers are beneficial. Hassan cautions that soda or creamy mixers with syrup can increase calorie and sugar content, amping up the dreaded hangover.

There is a caveat worth mentioning here. "Bear in mind, it's still a cocktail, balance and moderation are the two things that you absolutely have to remember," stresses Hassan. While it's always better to limit one's intake - a single mudslide is far healthier than five mojitos - experts do not advocate for consuming alcohol in the pursuit of health benefits. Over-zealous drinking can cause or even worsen nearly 200 distinct conditions, certain experts have previously warned USA TODAY.

However, during special occasions, indulgence isn't a crime so long as you keep checks on your drink "healthification". Hassan points out that classics should remain untouched, especially those that use simple syrup are usually less sweet than a sachet of sugar.

Hassan applies a cautionary rule to mixing drinks, noting "certain classics are best left untouched – you can’t substitute an artificial sweetener into an old-fashioned”. Instead of making a creamy cocktail healthy, try choosing a beverage that can be easily tailored to your taste, just like a mojito.

“I'm a fan of experimenting with fresh fruit and herbs,” Hassan shares. "Choosing these options brings a new depth to your drink, delighting your palate with multiple flavors and reducing the additional pudding-like filling of sweetened fruit purees or extra juice in your drink."

To boost your drink-making game, Hassan crafted the following basic recipe using innovative spins for modernized classic cocktails that can be tailored to your liking.

For those just starting their mixing journey, get the hang of it with these simple tips from Hassan, chief mixologist at Something Blue Catering & Cocktails.

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