Winter is coming, and holidays are just around the bend, which is a reason enough to stack your bar with a selection of festive drinks. Still, getting on the alcoholic holiday drink wagon is neither healthy nor recommendable if you are a driver – or just a fan of doing embarrassing things when drunk. This is the reason why you will need to be resourceful when calling your holiday shots and go for tasty alcohol-free options. In case you are short on ideas on how to organize your holiday beverage card, here are a few ideas that might help you enjoy the season ahead in the fullest without hangovers and alcohol in the mix.
Pink Grapefruit Margarita
One of the most delectable mocktails to grab during the holiday party, the pink grapefruit margarita is both easy to mix and it goes easy on the palate. To prepare the refreshing festive drink, you will need five or six teaspoons of grenadine or pomegranate syrup, a lime, a cup of pink grapefruit juice, and two tablespoons of colored sanding sugar for glass garnish. Safe and tasty for both kids and adults, this energizing mocktail will give you a kick of flavor sans classic post-party headaches, nausea, and stomach issues.
Mulled Cranberry Cocktail
If you are looking for a mocktail to warm up chilly Christmas evenings, mulled cranberry is a perfect choice. Prepared with quart cranberry juice, two whole cloves, half-cup cranberries and half-cup of sugar, with just a touch of cinnamon and a cinnamon stick for stirring, a mulled cranberry cocktail will infuse your afternoon with zest without nasty hangovers and regrets the morning after.
Non-Alcoholic Ciders
Another cinnamon-laced drink for a festive afternoon or evening, a cup of heated non-alcoholic cider will go down smoothly after a Christmas dinner. For an added dose of flavor, you can lace a cup of non-alcoholic cider with a dash of some flavorful syrup and top the cup off with a cinnamon stick as a stirrer. A drink nobody will say No to, a cup of warm non-alcoholic cider will help you relax and keep you sober at the same time.
Pomegranate Soda
One more alcohol-free option for a festive evening, pomegranate soda is super-tasty and ultra-healthy. To whip up a cup of this delectable treat, you will need a cup of sugar, half cup of pomegranate juice, club soda and a few marrachino cherries for garnish. An ideal treat for lovers of non-alcoholic refreshments, Pomegranate soda will wake you up and go easy on the palate, so make sure you add it to your beverage list this Christmas.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
A zesty take on the festive hot chocolate, peppermint hot chocolate will be a perfect drink to end a long winter day this Christmas. To make the chocolate treat, you will need a half-cup of unsweetened cocoa powder and half-cup of semisweet chocolate chips, one quart milk, crushed peppermint sticks, and just a pinch of salt. Steamy and nutritious, the mint-flavored hot chocolate will keep you full and happy, and you can also serve it to children and adults alike.
Staying warm and full of fuzzy feelings on a long Christmas afternoon is super-easy to pull off if you have the right drinks for the occasion. Though eggnog is a go-to for most people, those who prefer their glasses full and healthy will certainly enjoy a dose of freshness and alcohol-free ingredients. Go ahead and make some mocktails or flavored hot chocolate for yourself and your family and friends this Christmas. Your gustatory delight will not fall short of the mark and you will also be doing a favor to your long-term health. Cheers!