10 alternatives to alcoholic drinks

No alcohol for nine months? No problem, aufeminin offers ten alternatives to alcoholic drinks, so that you can drink a toast with your loved ones during your pregnancy!

Good news, you are pregnant! In just under nine months, (at least) one new member will complete your family. If the arrival of this little one will change your daily life, you will already have to change some habits during your pregnancy.
In fact, Friday aperitifs, a small glass of champagne to celebrate good news or a glass of white wine to accompany your foie gras (which you will also have to do without by the way) are now over.

"Zero alcohol during pregnancy": why?

Today, no expert can assure the threshold beyond which alcohol consumption is dangerous for the baby. Public Health France therefore recommends applying the precautionary principle "Zero alcohol during pregnancy", ideally when planning a baby. Even occasionally, consuming alcohol while you are pregnant can be dangerous. From the first weeks of pregnancy, the placenta allows alcohol to pass through. The baby's liver is developing and very slowly eliminates these substances.
Delicious and healthy drinks to party … and for every day too.

Rest assured, there are many delicious and alternative recipes available for you to party without alcohol during your pregnancy. Aufeminin offers you ten:

  • The virgin mojito: this famous very summery cocktail is easily available in a non-alcoholic version. Its recipe is very simple: 1/2 lime, 2 teaspoons of brown sugar, a few leaves of fresh mint, sparkling water, lemons and you're done!
  • Non-alcoholic beer 0.0%: Beer fans will be happy to learn that there are several brands of non-alcoholic beer. Plain or flavored, there are a wide range of them whose taste is similar to beer with alcohol, you should find what you are looking for.
  • Virgin apple sangria: a fresh and original sangria recipe that is sure to please everyone. You will need 500ml of apple juice, 2 tablespoons of honey, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 lemon, 500ml of sparkling water, 1 apple and 1 sprig of mint. Heat the apple juice with the honey, lemon zest and cinnamon sticks. Let infuse for 30 minutes and add the other ingredients and the fruit cut into pieces in a pitcher.
  • The virgin colada: perfect for summer. For an alcohol-free Pina Colada, simply replace the rum with orange juice, in addition to pineapple juice and coconut milk.
  • Sparkling without alcohol: to have bubbles during major events.
  • The alcohol-free spritz: to enjoy this safe summer cocktail, you will need the juice and zest of 3 untreated oranges as well as half a grapefruit. 6cl of grenadine and sparkling water (about 25cl). This recipe will give you the equivalent of three cocktails.
  • Strawberry basil juice: refreshing and sweet. Mix 500 grams of strawberries with a few basil leaves (to taste). Then add 20 cl of orange juice.
  • Orange carrot ginger juice: good and useful for nausea. In small amounts (around 2g per day) ginger is recommended during pregnancy as it is effective against nausea and vomiting. So don't hesitate to add some to your pressed fruits and vegetables.
  • Cucumber mint lemonade: an ultra-refreshing drink to consume without moderation. Squeeze the juice from a lemon. Boil the juice with the lemon peels and the mint leaves (about 10) for a few minutes then let cool. Add two liters of water, the mixture and cucumber slices to a jug. Serve chilled.
  • Flavored water: put lemon juice and / or mint leaves already rinsed, or strawberries and basil already rinsed in a carafe of water (sparkling or still) … you will thus obtain scented water with zero added sugar. Watermelon / lemon, Raspberry / mint … Do not hesitate to try other combinations, depending on your taste and the season.


As these flavored waters are very slightly sweet, they should be consumed without moderation, unlike sugary drinks, fruit flavored, sodas or fruit nectars which provide a lot of sugar and very little fiber and which are therefore to be consumed in limited quantities during the pregnancy.

The extra tip: When you're invited out somewhere why not bring your favorite soft drink "just in case". This will ensure that you have something to drink that you like and you don't find yourself frustrated with just a glass of water.

These nine months without alcohol will allow you to test all these recipes! And who knows, maybe you will eventually adopt them even after birth. Without alcohol, the party is crazier.

And if you have any doubts, fears or need help and advice to avoid drinking alcohol, do not hesitate to talk to a healthcare professional (doctor, gynecologist, etc.). In addition, if you have difficulty in completely stopping alcohol during your pregnancy, you can talk about it with Alcool info service, a remote assistance system set up by Public Health France.
All you need to know about alcohol during pregnancy at Agir pour bébé.

This article was produced in partnership with Public Health France.

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Video by Loïcia Fouillen