Cortisol mocktails, also known as adrenal cocktails, are trending all over the internet right now and for good reason. They’re tasty, refreshing, easy to make and packed with minerals that work to replenish your adrenal glands and balance hormones as a result.

But, like anything, *ESPECIALLY* things that are trendy, it’s not a cure-all and you should definitely have all the facts before you jump on the bandwagon.

Also, if you decide you do want to partake, you’re also going to need a fire adrenal cocktail recipe (which I’ve got you covered with below).

Read on for everything you need to know regarding cortisol mocktails including how they work, hormone health benefits, key ingredients, a delicious watermelon mint cortisol mocktail recipe and more.

WHAT IS A CORTISOL MOCKTAIL?

A cortisol mocktail, also more widely known as an adrenal cocktail, is an alcohol-free drink rich in key vitamins and minerals that support adrenal function and overall hormone balance.

HOW DOES A CORTISOL MOCKTAIL WORK?

To understand the hormone health benefits of a cortisol mocktail or adrenal cocktail, it’s important to have a basic understanding of how your adrenal glands work.

Your adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys and are part of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, better known as the HPA-axis. These three endocrine glands form a complex feedback loop to regulate hormone production and use.

The adrenals create a number of hormones, including stress hormones cortisol, aldosterone, and adrenaline, which do everything from properly maintain your energy levels throughout the day to increasing your heart rate and blood pressure if needed (part of your “fight or flight” response necessary for survival).

As long as your hormones stay balanced, the adrenals can carry out their tasks, keeping you feeling energized and even keel throughout the day.

However if you’re chronically stressed (which let’s be real, it’s hard not to be these days!) your adrenals become overstimulated by the constant demand to output more cortisol, which requires A LOT of energy and nutrients. The more your stress system is activated, the more it depletes vital nutrients needed for hormone balance.

Coming full circle, providing our stress hormones with these valuable vitamins and minerals works to repair damage caused by chronic stress and counter our body’s stress response, which then gives our adrenals a chance to heal. And the cortisol mocktail contains three essential nutrients that work to do just that!

WHAT’S IN A CORTISOL MOCKTAIL RECIPE?

The three main components of a cortisol mocktail or adrenal cocktail are:

+ VITAMIN C 

When you experience stress, the adrenals’ use vitamin C to make more cortisol and other hormones. Thus, this vitamin needs replenishing frequently. It also works to heal your body from stress related damage. I use freshly squeezed limes in this cortisol mocktail recipe, which are packed with vitamin C.

+ SODIUM 

Our adrenals secrete a hormone called aldosterone, which controls our ability to hold onto sodium. The stronger our adrenal glands, the stronger our aldosterone levels, and the better our ability to hold onto salt. On the flip side, if we have weakened adrenals (due to chronic stress) then we have lower aldosterone and lower sodium.

And when we have lower sodium, we lose water and blood volume, which can lead to feeling lightheaded, chronically dehydrated and fatigued (three of the most common symptoms of adrenal dysfunction aka “adrenal fatigue”). I like to use Celtic sea salt in this recipe, more on that below.

+ POTASSIUM

Potassium works closely with sodium to help maintain fluid balance in your body and keep blood pressure levels stable. When your adrenals become overwhelmed due to chronic stress, they struggle to produce sufficient amounts of hormones (such as cortisol), which can lead to imbalances in hormones your body needs to regulate fluids, leading to an electrolyte imbalance.

Therefore adding in potassium works to replenish electrolytes and nourish your adrenals. I love using coconut water in this watermelon mint cortisol mocktail for its high potassium content and naturally sweet taste.

TYPICAL INGREDIENTS IN A CORTISOL MOCKTAIL RECIPE

The OG cortisol mocktail aka adrenal cocktail recipe, created by Susan Blackard, NP, ND, PhD, contains the following three ingredients:

+ CITRUS

Due to its high vitamin C content, most adrenal cocktail recipes contain 1/4 to 1 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice. Vitamin C rich substitutes often include lemon or lime juice. 

+ SALT

An obvious choice for sodium, I recommend either 1/4 tsp Pink Himalayan Salt (unrefined with a higher iron content) or Celtic Sea Salt (unrefined, easily absorbed by the body and rich in magnesium).

+ CREAM OF TARTAR

High in potassium and dissolves easily in citrus juice (without affecting the taste).

BENEFICAL CORTISOL MOCKTAIL RECIPE ADD-IN’S

+ COCONUT WATER

If you’re not keen on using cream of tartar, coconut water is a great potassium-rich and naturally sweet alternative. I’m obsessed with this brand, which tastes especially delicious in this watermelon mint mocktail recipe.

+ COCONUT CREAM

If you want to make your adrenal cocktail recipe next level good, try mixing in a huge dollop (about 2 tbsp) of full-fat coconut cream. This adds some healthy fats to help keep blood sugar levels stable, and makes this watermelon mockail taste super creamy/dessert-like!

+ WATERMELON

I absolutely love adding in fresh watermelon to this recipe, which is another excellent source of vitamin C (and potassium!) and also lends a vibrant pink hue and naturally sweet taste to this cortisol mocktail recipe. 

+ ELIX CYCLE BALANCE BLEND

If you want a serious hormone balancing boost, try adding a dropper full of Elix’s Daily Harmony or Cycle Balance Blend, which are medicinal herbal formula’s clinically proven to treat the root cause of menstrual symptoms (buh bye pms, hello happier periods). You can also use my code SOFRESH20 to save 20% off.

WHEN TO DRINK YOUR CORTISOL MOCKTAIL

While it’s safe to enjoy your cortisol mocktail at any time throughout the day, the most effective time to drink it is between 10 am to 2 pm, when your stress hormones are naturally lower (which is why your energy dips and you tend to get that “afternoon slump.)” I personally enjoy mine right after lunch, which helps to curb my blood sugar and satisfy my sweet tooth.

You can also consume this recipe at any point during your menstrual cycle, however if I’m having it during my follicular or ovulatory phase I swap Elix’s Cycle Balance Blend for their Daily Harmony Blend, in order to properly cycle-sync my herbs for optimal hormone balance. Additionally I like to add in a warming ingredient like freshly minced ginger if enjoying during my luteal phase, which better aligns with the TCM perspective of focusing on warming foods and beverages during this phase. 

**Please keep in mind this drink is NOT a meal replacement, rather a whole food supplement meant to be enjoyed before or after meals.

DOES A CORTISOL MOCKTAIL HELP WITH WEIGHT LOSS?

While a cortisol mocktail does not directly influence weight loss, it does work to nourish your adrenals, so that they can produce and regulate hormones (especially your stress hormones!) effectively. And your stress hormones do directly affect your weight, with cortisol stimulating your fat and carbohydrate metabolism and weight loss.

Bottom Line: The more balanced your hormones are, the easier it will be to maintain a sustainable, healthy weight.

DO YOU NEED A CORTISOL MOCKTAIL?

Let’s be real, nobody NEEDS a cortisol mocktail to survive. That being said, I personally think they’re a fun, easy and delicious way to incorporate an abundance of vitamins and minerals that work to nourish your adrenals in times of stress. Think of it as a supplement, aka it’s not a meal replacement or cure-all, rather a little boost that should be used in tandem with other hormone healthy habits to promote overall wellbeing.

DO YOU HAVE A CORTISOL IMBALANCE?

After reading all of this, you might be wondering if you have a cortisol imbalance or “adrenal fatigue.” First, it’s important to know that while “adrenal fatigue” is a popular term, it’s actually incorrect, as your adrenals don’t actually get fatigued.

The proper terminology for what you might be feeling is HPA axis dysfunction, which happens as a result of chronic stress. Overtime, the adrenals become desensitized and stop properly responding, leading to dysfunction in the HPA axis feedback loop.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF HPA AXIS DYSFUNCTION AKA ADRENAL FATIGUE, INCLUDE: 

+ Constant fatigue/exhaustion

+ Feeling wired but tired

+ Wakeup groggy even after a decent night’s sleep

+ More energy at night/trouble falling asleep

+ Salt or sugar cravings

+ Dizziness/feeling lightheaded

+ Low libido

+ Brain fog

+ Stubborn abdominal fat

+ Blood sugar instability

OTHER TIPS TO SUPPORT YOUR ADRENALS

If you suspect you have HPA axis dysfunction, dysregulated cortisol levels or a hormone imbalance, you can take this free quiz to investigate further.

Additionally, you can begin implementing some of the tips below (along with making your delicious adrenal cocktail) to nurture your adrenals.

+ Eat a nourishing breakfast

+ Lower caffeine intake (or at the very least avoid drinking it on an empty stomach)

+ Opt for lower impact exercise 

+ Take B Vitamins

+ Prioritize sleep (and go to bed before 10 pm)

+ Hydrate regularly

+ Include protein, fat and fiber at each meal or snack

+ Replace depleted vitamins and minerals (vitamin C, magnesium, sodium, potassium)

+ Get outside

+ Build stress-reducing activities into your daily routine (walking, breath work, meditation, rest, etc.)

MORE ADRENAL COCKTAIL + CORTISOL MOCKTAIL RECIPES

+ ORANGE CREAMSICLE ADRENAL COCKTAIL RECIPE 

+ STRAWBERRY LEMONADE ADRENAL COCKTAIL

+ CREAMY LEMONADE ADRENAL COCKTAIL

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Watermelon Mint Cortisol Mocktail

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This delicious watermelon mint cortisol mocktail contains nutrients that work to nourish your adrenals, counter stress + balance hormones.

PREP TIME:	TOTAL TIME:
00:00 Mins	00:10 Mins

• Author: Lauren Chambers

• Servings: 2-4

• Recipe Type: beverage

• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh lime juice (or the juice of about 8 limes)
• 2-4 tbsp pure maple syrup or raw honey to sweeten (I prefer a bit less since it’s naturally sweetened with the watermelon)
• 1/2 tsp Celtic Sea Salt
• 2 cups organic coconut water
• 1 cup frozen or fresh watermelon, cubed and rind removed
• 2-4 tbsp fresh mint
• Optional 2 dropper fulls of Elix Cycle Balance Blend (if in your luteal phase/about to start your period) or Daily Harmony (if drinking at any other point in your menstrual cycle) *use code SOFRESH20 to save 20%
• Optional edible pink glitter/sugar for fun

Instructions

1. Start by cutting your watermelon into cubes, then add 1 cup directly to your blender.
2. Add in the lime juice, maple syrup or honey, sea salt, coconut water, and optional Elix Cycle Balance Blend.
3. Blend until well combined.
4. Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl, which will filter out any seeds or pulp.
5. Add ice to a glass, then pour the juice directly over, reserving the remaining servings.
6. Stir in fresh mint leaves (about 1 tbsp per glass) and optional pink glitter.
7. Enjoy immediately, storing the remaining serving in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Notes

*This beverage makes 2 large drink servings (16 oz +) or 4 smaller servings (8 oz each). If making a single serving you can always cut the recipe in half, or store the rest in the fridge for up to 3 days.

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