Best Holiday Mocktails

Most people love the vibe of holiday cocktails but do not always want the alcohol that goes with them. One too many drinks lead to disaster, whether small or large. During Thanksgiving, the December Holidays, and New Year’s Eve, alcohol is the cause of countless problems.

Mocktails have significant benefits, such as being safe, non-addictive, having no hangovers, and more nutrients with natural fruits and no alcohol.

The most significant reason is they are safe. There is no risk of drinking and driving, binge drinking, intoxication, relapse if you are in recovery, and destructive alcohol-fueled family arguments.

Booze-free beverages have gained popularity, especially among sober curious individuals, individuals in recovery, and anyone who wants to enjoy a holiday cocktail without the health risk.

The Zero Proof, one of the US’s largest importers of non-alcoholic spirits, has stated that most customers are alcohol drinkers but are individuals who want moderation. People are just trying to be healthier and avoid the negative consequences of alcohol consumption.

There is no denying there are health benefits to cutting back or eliminating alcohol entirely. Initially, it creates better relationships, no hangovers, and improves health. Some of the short-term benefits include:

It leads to better and more improved health, which is a big reason why people choose mocktails. In addition, it removes the psychological and emotional problems that alcohol creates.

Drinking and driving is a significant risk over the Thanksgiving holiday and often increases because of the increased alcohol consumption. However, this devastating problem is easily avoided with classic mocktail recipes. Instead of turning Thanksgiving into a drinksgiving or blackout Wednesday, introduce some of these tasty mocktail recipes into the holiday party:

1.  Add apple cider and Canada Dry Sparkling Seltzer Water to the pitcher and stir to combine. You
   can also add sugar at this point (if using).
2.  Place the pitcher in the refrigerator to chill.
3.  When apple cider sangria is chilled, pour into serving glasses and garnish with the remaining fruits. Enjoy!

1.  Add all ingredients for pumpkin spice cream to a sauce pan and bring to a boil.
2.  Remove from heat and let cool in fridge 5 minutes.
3.  Fill your glass with ice.
4.  Add coffee/espresso and sugar then top with 3 oz of pumpkin spice cream.
5.  Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

1.  In a saucepan, bring ginger, hibiscus, agave syrup, and 1 cup water to a boil.
2.  Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.
3.  Remove from heat and let stand 10 minutes, then strain into a pitcher. Stir in 2 cups cold water.
4.  For each serving, pour ¼ cup syrup into an ice-filled glass and top with club soda.

1.  In a small pitcher, mix together limeade, orange juice and simple syrup.
2.  Mix together equal parts sugar and coarse salt and pour onto a plate.
3.  Slice lime and run lime slice around the rim of each glass and then dip it into the sugar/salt mixture to coat the rim of the glass.
4.  Fill glass 1/2 full with ice.
5.  Pour limeade mixture into glass, almost to the top of each glass.
6.  Top off the glasses with a little club soda.
7.  Add a lime wedge to squeeze into each drink.

The December holidays create stress, and many people struggle with depression and loneliness. These holidays can bring a lot of demands, and unfortunately, alcohol is used to manage these problems.

Holiday mocktails remove the stress, anger, frustration, and every negative feeling created by alcohol. Try some of the fun December holiday mocktails:

Make sure all ingredients are chilled. Combine all juices into a large punch bowl. Add ginger all slowly to keep as much fizz as possible. Add scoops of raspberry sherbet & let sit for a few minutes. Serve with a ladle.

GRENADINE

1. In a saucepan, bring pomegranate juice to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until liquid is reduced by half about 15 – 20 minutes. Add sugar/natural sweetener and stir until completely dissolved.

SPARKLING MOCKTAIL

1.  Combine ½ cup flavored water with 1 ½ – 2 tablespoons grenadine, to taste.
2.  Fill with ice and stir gently then add the candy cane and serve!

1.  Rub a lemon or lime around the rim of your glass and then dip into the sugar/cinnamon mix.
2.  Fill the glass with ice.
3.  Add then cranapple.
4.  Add a splash of fresh juice of lemon or lime.
5.  Top off with sparkling cider or ginger ale.

For the Simple Syrup:

1.  Mix sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, and sliced ginger root in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat until sugar is dissolved.
2.  Let cool completely. When cool, strain to remove ginger and cinnamon sticks.

For the Mocktail:

1.  Pour cinnamon sugar into a shallow bowl or plate. Prepare martini glass by wetting the rim with apple cider and then dipping in cinnamon sugar.
2.  Add ice to martini shaker. Pour in cider and simple syrup. Shake for 10 to 15 seconds.
3.  Pour into prepared glass. Garnish with apple slice or cinnamon stick.
4.  Offering non-alcoholic drinks at December holiday parties helps create a stress free and comfortable environment, especially for guests who are sober curious, those in recovery, and those who do not want to drink.

Excessive alcohol consumption frequently occurs on New Years, and it leads to devastating consequences—drinking and driving, family conflict, and even violence.

Celebrations during New Years should be joyous, and mocktails can help make that happen. Offering more selection during New Years provides guests with an option not to consume alcohol yet still enjoy a tasty beverage.

Try some of the following mocktail drinks:

1.  Lavender simple syrup: Combine 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1 tbsp dried lavender to a sauce pan. Bring to a boil then turn off the heat. Let mixture cool in the pan and then strain out the lavender.
2.  Combine above in shaker with ice and shake until cold. Strain into glass and top off with club soda. Garnish with fresh lavender.
3.  Optional: Add a tiny drop of food coloring with the end of a toothpick to get the purple hue.

In a cocktail shaker, muddle mint leaves with SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener. Add pineapple juice, lime juice, and ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice and top with club soda. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

Combine all ingredients except ginger ale in a large pitcher. If desired, let sit in fridge for 1 to 4 hours to let flavors mingle. Add chilled ginger ale. Serve immediately.

Add blueberries to a large glass with lime wedges and sugar. Muddle ingredients together well. Transfer blueberry mixture to a copper mug and add crushed ice. Pour in ginger beer and stir.

There is no doubt that mocktails are a healthier option for everyone, whether you are in recovery, cutting back from alcohol, sober curious, or want not to overindulge. Overall, they are healthier without alcohol, and they help with socializing that is not influenced by alcohol.

Additionally, they are safe for children and pregnant women and are beneficial for recovering alcoholics. Creating and mixing different ingredients can be fun, making something unique that becomes a holiday tradition.

It is important to note that alcohol-free drinks and mocktails are not for everyone in recovery, as everyone has unique triggers and is at different recovery stages. However, if you are comfortable with the idea of a mocktail, it can be a fun way to celebrate the holidays.

During early recovery, the idea of a mocktail may not be a good recommendation. However, when recovery is no longer an issue and you are living your best life, mocktails are an enjoyable way to socialize at holiday family gatherings. The pros of mocktails are that it offers healthier options for guests, especially those in recovery.

The cons of mocktails include it being a slippery slope for someone in early recovery and may trigger a relapse if they are a recovering alcoholic.