Merry Mocktails!
Festive Holiday Drinks for Every Guest
The days are growing shorter, and the air is getting crisper, which can mean just one thing: the holidays are right around the corner! I don’t know about you, but as holiday work parties, school festivals, and family celebrations start to fill up the calendar, staying true to wellness goals can feel tricky. And it’s perfectly okay to indulge a little, it’s part of the joy of the season! But I love finding those little ways to make it both nourishing and festive.
The holiday season is a perfect time to explore delicious mocktails that offer all the indulgence of a cocktail but without alcohol. That means that everyone at your gathering can enjoy a cheery beverage, regardless of their age or lifestyle.
Why Choose Mocktails?
Holiday cocktails are frequently high in extra sugar and can sometimes leave us feeling less than our best. Offering mocktails promotes better hydration and helps everyone stay true to their wellness goals, all without sacrificing the spirit of the holiday.
Because so many mocktails are made with fresh ingredients and smart mixers, they’re frequently lower in sugar and calories than their alcoholic counterparts. Better yet, they’re easy to make with ingredients readily available at your grocery store.
Make Some Mocktail Magic
For every occasion, from cozy family gatherings to elegant affairs, you’ll find a myriad of mocktail recipes to enjoy. Here are a few to get you started:
Classy
Our Cranberry Spritz Mocktail is a perfect drink for any holiday occasion, from cocktail parties to holiday dinners to New Year’s Eve celebrations. Harvested in fall, cranberries are tart and slightly sweet, making them a refreshing complement to heavier foods consumed during colder months. Add the slightly earthy taste and piney aroma of rosemary, and you’ve successfully brought the outside indoors!
Cozy
Looking for something that feels a little more relaxed? This Blueberry Sangria Mocktail is one of my favorites. It’s bursting with flavor and color, making it the perfect choice for an evening cozied up by the fire or a laid-back holiday gathering. It’s a delicious way to toast the season!
Kicky
For a bright, cheerful sip, try our Raspberry Orange Smash. Muddle a few raspberries with fresh mint, then top lime juice and orange juice. It’s zesty, refreshing, and loaded with vitamin C. Perfect for a holiday brunch or a quick afternoon pick-me-up.
Host a Holiday Mocktail Bar
If you want to make merry with more than one mocktail, consider hosting a mocktail bar. Set out basic ingredients—produce, mixers, herbs and spices, garnish—and let your guests mix-and-match their own mocktail masterpieces.
Mocktail Bar Must-haves
You’ll want to offer ingredients that complement each other without overwhelming your guests with too many possibilities. Here’s a grocery list to get you started:
- Produce: Oranges, limes, lemons, cranberries, pomegranate, apples, berries
- Mixers: Sparkling water, ginger ale, club soda, 100 percent fruit juices (cranberry, pomegranate, apple, pineapple)
- Garnishes and other extras: Rosemary sprigs, mint leaves, finishing sugars (maple, cinnamon, apple cider), festive straws
Perfect Presentation
Arrange your mocktail bar for efficiency. Include festive glassware and clever signage to draw guests to the table. Then, showcase produce first; adding cut fruits and fresh herbs to the glass before adding liquids allows for easier muddling (crushing to release flavors). Next, have your mixers, and then finally, your garnishes and other extras. Be sure everything is clearly labeled, and offer recipe cards for inspiration.
Raise a glass
No matter how you choose to celebrate this year, may your days be bright, your nights warm, and your glass always full—with a mocktail, of course. Cheers!
