December 4, 2015
5 alternatives to a boozy Christmas and New Year
The festive period is upon us, which means you will most likely be getting together with family and friends to revel in the joy of Christmas. Of course, indulging in tasty treats goes hand in hand with the festive season, but while it’s fun to get caught up in Christmas cheer, it’s equally important to be health-conscious.
We’re not saying that you can’t tuck into a mince pie or two – just so long as you do so in moderation as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Come Christmas Day though, it’s easy to forget about being healthy, and instead get a little too carried away.
With the festive tipple in full flow, you will probably end up drinking more alcohol than your recommended daily allowance. But who says you need alcohol to have fun? There are a number of ways to enjoy Christmas and New Year by drinking delicious non-alcoholic concoctions.
Here are some of our favourites:
Orange juice and lemonade
Buck’s Fizz is a popular alcoholic party drink that’s made from a blend of orange juice and champagne or sparkling wine. This season though, you can make your own non-alcoholic version that’s just as refreshing, but won’t leave you with a sore head the next morning.
Simply combine fresh orange juice with a few drops of lemonade to get that sweet, fizzy taste that’s sure to go down well among all of your guests.
Red grape juice
If you’re a red wine connoisseur, it’s time to put the bottle down and instead replace it with red grape juice. This still provides a rich, sweet taste, but counts as one of your five a day rather than lots of empty calories.
What’s more, red wine derives from grapes during the fermenting process, so there’s almost no difference at all!
Pomegranate mojito
For the cocktail lovers, have fun making your own non-alcoholic versions this season. An interesting twist on the traditional mojito is a pomegranate mojito mocktail.
Ditch the rum and replace it with fresh pomegranate juice and lemonade. Then get to work crushing the fresh mint leaves, add some ice and a dash of lime juice and you’re good to go!
Mulled apple juice
Mulled wine is no doubt the drink that we associate with Christmas the most. The fruity, spicy, alcoholic concoction is best served hot and is a popular choice at outdoor festive events, such as the Christmas markets.
Rather than drinking traditional mulled wine, you can make your own mulled apple juice that’s equally delicious, not to mention a lot healthier.
Simmer the apple juice over a hob with fresh orange peel, a cinnamon stick and cloves for around five to ten minutes. This will work to infuse the flavours. Next, drain the mixture into a colander and serve into mugs for a sweet, festive beverage.
Elderflower soda
If you’re looking for a light, refreshing mocktail, there’s no going wrong with a homemade blend of elderflower cordial, soda water and crushed mint leaves.
You can even add some fresh berries for a sweet, fruity kick.
After making these drinks for your Christmas and New Year’s parties, you will forget that alcohol is missing and wake up the next day revitalised and ready to hit the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day shopping sales!
