Q: Holiday mocktail recipes

Posted Wednesday, November 26, 2008 4:28 PM

Q: I obviously can't drink alcohol with a baby on board, so how can I make the menu more fun?

A: Pregnancy has a way of taking the fun out of holiday drinks. But you don’t have to completely say sayonara to your favorite peach Bellinis just because baby’s on the way. You can still enjoy the taste of your favorite drinks sans the alcohol. Here are five tasty mocktail recipes to spice up your holiday celebrations.
 

1. Sparkling spritzer
[  ] ½ cup Pinot Noir non alcoholic sparkling wine soda
[  ] ½ cup gingerale
[  ] Splash fresh lime juice
[  ] Pour into a wine glass and add a piece of candied ginger cut to fit over rim of glass for garnish


2. Pink pomegranate mocktail
[  ] ¾ cup pink sparkling lemonade
[  ] ¼ cup pomegranate juice
[  ] Pour into a wine glass and add rock candy on a stick for garnish


3. Apple cider martini
[  ] ½ cup apple cider
[  ] ¼ cup orange juice
[  ] Splash pomegranate juice
[  ] Pour into a martini glass add a cinnamon stick for garnish

4. Belly bellini
[  ] ½ cup non alcoholic white sparkling wine
[  ] ¼ cup peach nectar
[  ] Pour into champagne glass


5. Cran-raspberry martini
[  ] 1 tbsp crushed raspberries
[  ] 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
[  ] ½ cup all natural cranberry juice
[  ] Splash of raspberry flavored sparkling water
[  ] Garnish with a thin stirrer with raspberries on it

> To prepare glass wet the rim of glass with lime juice and dip into sugar
Shake the crushed raspberries with lime juice and ice. Add the cranberry juice and sparkling water and pour into cup (draining the raspberry puree and ice).

Festive ideas for holiday drinks:

> Freeze your favorite juice in ice tray and use as ice cubes.

> Create your own signature mocktail using Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Syrup: add ginger ale or sparkling water (really any combo you choose) and eat the flower afterwards.

> Put fresh berries into the bottom of a champagne glass and pour your favorite sparkling water over it.

> Thread fresh fruit onto a stirrer and put into a drink.

> Add a candy cane stirrer.

> Add a sugared rim to any glass (use colored sugar for a little extra bang).

--Lara Englebardt Metz, MS, RD, CDN, is a member of the American Dietetic Association, Greater New York Dietetic Association, Nutrition Entrepreneurs, Weight Management Dietetic Practice Group, and Women's Health and Reproductive Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group where she serves as a Membership Co-Chair.

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