15 Healthyish Sips, Snacks, And Sauces To Try This Memorial Day Weekend

While this Memorial Day will look and feel starkly different from those of years past, that doesn't mean we can’t make it one for the books. But instead of the usual grilled burgers and cold beer – which we’ll always have a soft spot for – why not switch things up by introducing some unexpected, more healthful bites and beverages? 

Whether you plan to continue distancing at home or safely socialize while out and about, ahead are 15 sips, snacks, and sauces that’ll brighten up your meals this weekend.

Chosen Foods Spanish Romesco Simmer Sauce

Don't be fooled by the label: there’s far more you can do with this classic Catalan condiment than heating it up with protein. In fact, the silky, rosy puree of avocado oil, roasted red peppers, almonds, and garlic is equally terrific chilled or at room temp. Take the traditional route by topping patatas bravas, or dip some crudités in it. One taste, and you may say farewell to hummus forever.

Cutwater Spirits Tequila Lime Margarita

When master distiller Yuseff Cherney found himself regularly craving cocktails (with none of the hassle) during his free time, he took matters into his own hands. Launched in 2016, Cutwater Spirits features 18 premade cocktails made with topnotch spirits and natural ingredients. And the brand’s margarita, in particular, is a standout: a smooth and subtly sweet sipper with a hint of ripe orange.

TRUFF Hot Sauce

While Sriracha’s been my go-to hot sauce for years, TRUFF is quickly gaining ground. Not only does it strike a delicate balance between sweet and heat, the addition of black truffle imparts a uniquely heady aroma and silky mouthfeel. There isn’t a single food it can’t fancify, and because it’s gained such a fan following, TRUFF just launched mini bottles and an iOS app to expedite orders and for recipe sharing.

CHEVOO Tupelo Honey & Lime

Make snacking twice as fun with this cute glass jar (bonus points for it being reusable) brimming with cubes of tangy, marinated goat cheese in infused olive oil. Pour out the entire contents onto a pretty dish for impromptu easy entertaining, or snack straight out of the jar when the craving hits. And swirl the flavorful oil into dressings, or drizzle onto finished dishes.

Lucini Organic Tuscan Marinara

While there’s no shortage of jarred pasta sauces, this marinara from Luicini leaves the competition behind with a deceptively short list of ingredients: organic vegetables (tomatoes, carrots, and onions), basil, and sea salt. And because it doesn’t have olive oil, the result is exceptionally tomato-forward and vibrant – recalling the the sun-drenched and food-filled days of summering in Tuscany.

Nomikai California Rosé Fizzy

Inspired by the informal (and wonderfully rowdy) drinking parties of Japan, Nomikai was born of a simple desire: to be able to drink world-class wine anywhere. A collaboration with indie winemakers Megan & Ryan Glaab of Ryme Cellars, the Fizzy California Rosé is pleasingly crisp and dry – making it ideal for sipping solo and pairing with food. Even better? Nomikai founder Connor Drexler is donating 5% of all website sales to the Restaurant Workers' Community Foundation (RWCF).

Pop Zero Simply Cinema Popcorn

I can’t stand going to the movies, but do love theater popcorn. Thankfully, Pop Zero made the impossible possible by creating a version that rivals the original with none of the guilt. Extra large kernels ensure a texture that’s equal parts fluffy and crunchy, and two surprising ingredients, algae oil and algae flour, lend a buttery mouthfeel that satisfies as much as the original.

FIVE DRINKS Moscow Mule

On top of being the world’s first brand to sell all-natural, canned craft cocktails, FIVE DRINKS only uses five ingredients in its products. While the classics (like the paloma and mojito) are straightforward and sublime, FIVE DRINKS really shines when it adds unexpected twists. In the Moscow Mule, for example, tart tamarind balances out the sweet, while coconut water helps keep you hydrated.

Mary's Gone Crackers Original Crackers

If you’re like me: snacks aren’t what you enjoy between meals – they’re their own category. But Mary's Gone Crackers was among the first brands to pioneer a more healthful approach – it launched back in 2004 – to the fourth meal of the day by using whole, plant-based ingredients (like quinoa and flax seeds) that are rich in nutrients, naturally free of gluten, and produce a deeply hearty crunch.

Spa Girl Peach Cocktails

Founded in 2017 by Karen Haines, Spa Girl Cocktails thoughtfully offers more mindful, lower-proof alternatives to all the boozy, syrupy drinks on the market. In addition to being only 48 calories per can, each cocktail is created with vodka that’s been distilled six times, with no artificial colors, sweeteners, or flavors. Just chill, open, and enjoy.

High Peaks Italian-Style Plant-Based Sausage

I enjoying meat from time to time, but undertand it’s not good for our health or the planet. Enter High Peaks. Launched earlier this year and founded by Stacie Waters – coincidentally, she’s from a third generation of sausage makers – the plant-based links feature savory flavors and a versatile texture. The Italian-Style sausages are especially solid, when grilled and stuffed in sandwiches.

KÖE Organic Mango Kombucha

For the uninitiated: Kombucha is a fermented tea beverage that’s notably rich in probiotics – which help your brain, heart and gut function properly. It’s refreshingly tart and slightly bubbly, too. While there’s a plenty Kombucha brands out there now, KÖE stands out from the rest for being the only one that’s USDA Organic and truly fruit-forward (without being too sweet).

SmashMallow Cinnamon Churro Marshmallows

For years, there were almost no quality options when it came to readily available marshmallows. So in 2016, Jon Sebastiani unveiled SmashMallow. Like the ones you grew up with, SmashMallows are fluffy, sweet, and wonderful for s’mores and rice krispies treats. You can feel even better about noshing on them since they’re made with organic, non-GMO ingredients (think sugar, gelatin, and flavors).

Smith & Sinclair Whiskey Club Alcoholic Gummies

Brown liquor fans will flip for the brand’s newest launch. Each handsomely-designed box contains ten spiked gummies (containing 5% ABV per gummy) inspired by flavors of classic whiskey cocktails (like Manhattans and Whiskey Sours). They’re individually wrapped, so you can conveniently pop one whenever and wherever you please.

PeaTos Classic Onion Rings

When its comes to snacking, I get really nostalgic for the chips of my youth. The problem? The guilty feeling after downing a bag. That’s when Peatos comes to the rescue. While all of PeaTo’s pea-based offerings (hence the name) have a satisfying crunch and lip-smacking flavor, it’s the light and crispy onion rings I find myself reaching for over and over again.