Healthier Holiday Mocktails

The holidays are filled with events and get-togethers that involve festive decorations, food and even drinks. While a beautifully garnished drink may not be a problem for many, others struggle with alcohol consumption, especially around the holidays. This time of year, it’s reported binge drinking is more prevalent than other times of the year. In fact, the average American admits they drink 27% more during the festive season, according to a Sunrise House survey.

Mocktails are a good alternative to add balance to an evening and they’re inclusive for loved ones who are committed to being sober. Someone may want to enjoy one alcoholic beverage and follow that up with a mocktail, while someone else may want to skip drinking altogether but still enjoy the festive nature of a beautiful garnish and complex flavors.

Here are two mocktail recipes to enjoy this season:

Sparkling Pear Mocktail with Rosemary Sprig

Serves: 2

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 10

Total Time: 10

The rosemary sprig brings woodsy and peppery notes to this otherwise refreshing drink – making it perfect for the holidays. Simply add ingredients to a shaker and serve over ice. The rosemary doubles as a festive garnish.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup pear juice
• ½ Tbsp. simple syrup
• 1 tsp. ginger paste or 1 small slice of fresh ginger, grated
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 2 cups sparkling water 
• Ice cubes as needed
• 2 rosemary sprigs

Instructions:

1. In a cocktail shaker, add pear juice, simple syrup, ginger of choice and lemon juice. Shake and pour over a glass filled with ice and top with sparkling water. Use the rosemary sprigs to stir, allowing the rosemary to fill the drink with its essence. Enjoy!

Cranberry Mule Mocktail with Dried Citrus Garnish

Serves: 2

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 10

Total Time: 10

This cozy drink features a balance of tart and sweet, with a hint of gingery spice.  Allow frozen cranberries to double as ice and decorate with a dried citrus wheel.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup cranberry juice cocktail
• 1 lime, juiced
• ¼ cup ginger beer
• 1 cup frozen cranberries
• Ice cubes as needed
• 1 cup sparkling water
• Dried citrus wheels (slices), such as orange, lemon or lime

Instructions:

1. In a shaker bottle, add cranberry juice and lime juice. Shake, then pour over frozen cranberries and ice if desired in a glass.
2. Add ginger beer and sparkling water to top the drink and stir gently to avoid losing carbonation. Garnish each drink with dried citrus wheel.

Shanthi Appelö is a registered dietitian and health and wellness spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan based in Detroit. Passionate about the science of nutrition and behavior, Shanthi has experience working in clinical nutrition, public health and teaching in the university setting. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, exploring the outdoors, working on art and spending time with family. For more recipes and health information, visit ahealthiermichigan.org.