Healthy Holiday Mocktail Recipes: Alcohol-Free Christmas Drinks
Healthy Holiday Mocktail Recipes: Alcohol-Free Christmas Drinks
Julia Krupska The festive period is a time to celebrate, connect and indulge in all the flavours of the season. But for cancer patients – or anyone looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle – steering clear of alcohol is more than just a preference… it’s a lifestyle choice. One that can play a vital part in a cancer-fighting diet. Alcohol consumption has been linked to increased inflammation, compromised immune function, and even higher risks of cancer recurrence, so it’s no wonder many individuals prefer to find alternatives that are just as festive but far healthier.
Enter healthy holiday mocktail recipes! Vibrant, tasty and completely alcohol-free beverages that capture the Christmas spirit without sacrificing your commitment to wellness.
We’ve found some delicious, nutrient-packed healthy holiday mocktail recipes designed to delight your taste buds and support your health. Whether you’re hosting or attending a gathering, these drinks are your alternative to raising a glass in celebration to a health-conscious holiday season.
1. STRAWBERRY, MINT AND ROSEMARY MOJITO
Ingredients:
• 500ml of Kombucha or coconut water kefir
• 500ml sparkling water
• 1/4 cup sliced strawberries
• 2-inch piece of ginger, finely sliced
• A handful of fresh mint leaves
• 1-2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
Method:
Combine all ingredients in a 1-2 litre jug and serve straight away.
2. FRESH FENNEL COCKTAIL
Great if you over-indulge and need help to reduce the bloat! Fennel seeds are well known for their ability to treat the gastrointestinal tract, to help stimulate the flow of digestive juices and assist in reducing pain and inflammation.
Ingredients:
• 1-inch turmeric, grated
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
• Juice of 1 grapefruit
• 500mL (2 cups) water
• Sprigs of thyme to serve
Method:
Combine all ingredients, share between two glasses, top with water and serve with a sprig of thyme.
3. MULE KOMBUCHA COCKTAIL
Fermented drinks such as kombucha are fantastic to aid digestion and keep your gut microbiome healthy.
Ingredients:
• 500ml (2 cups) kombucha
• Handful of mint
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• 1-inch piece of ginger, thinly sliced
Method:
Divide ingredients between glasses and serve.
4. HAPPY TUMMY PUNCH
Well-known to aid in nausea relief, lemon & ginger can also make a delicious refresher.
Ingredients:
• 1 lemon, skin removed
• 1 orange, skin removed
• 1 pink grapefruit, skin removed
• 1-inch of fresh ginger
• Handful of mint
• 1 small Lebanese cucumber
Method:
- Juice all ingredients.
- Divide between two glasses and serve with fresh mint and fresh pieces of grapefruit.
5. RASPBERRY LIME & POMEGRANATE FIZZ
More gut-loving nourishment with this kefir-infused beverage.
Ingredients:
• 500ML water kefir
• 1 lime, sliced or quartered
• ½ cup fresh raspberries
• 1 pomegranate, deseeded
• A few fresh thyme sprigs
Method:
Combine all ingredients in a glass jug and enjoy immediately!
6. HOMEMADE CULTURED LEMONADE
A naturally fermented lemonade soda loaded with probiotics! Serve with ice, garnished with fresh lemon slices.
Ingredients:
• 6 cups water
• ½ cup honey
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice (approx. 6-8 lemons)
• ½ – 1 cup kefir
Method:
- Juice your lemons using a juicer or squeeze juice to make about 1 cup of lemon juice.
- Warm the water in a saucepan over low heat, keeping it just warm enough to dissolve the honey. Whisk in the honey continuously until fully dissolved. Turn off the heat, and remove the pot from the stove.
- Whisk the lemon juice and kefir into the honey water.
- Pour the lemonade through a funnel into three glass bottles. Seal the bottles.
- Allow the lemonade to sit at room temperature to ferment at least 24 hours or up to 7 days. You can open a bottle to check for fizziness and flavour, keeping in mind that the warmer your kitchen and the more time you allow, the sourer and more fizzy your soda will be.
7. TURMERIC, ORANGE & GINGER SPRITZER
Ingredients:
• 2 oranges
• 1 lime
• 1-inch fresh ginger
• 1-inch fresh turmeric
• 1 tbsp coconut sugar (optional)
• 1 bottle chilled sparkling mineral water
Method:
- Juice citrus fruits, ginger & turmeric.
- Mix in coconut sugar and serve with mineral water & extra fruits if desired.
8. VEGAN EGGNOG
Ingredients:
• 3 cups almond milk
• ½ cup full-fat coconut milk
• 6 Medjool dates, pitted
• 1 cup cashews, soaked overnight, drained and rinsed
• 2-3 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 ½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of ground cloves
• Generous pinch of sea salt
Method:
- In a high-powered blender, combine all ingredients.
- Blend on high until smooth and creamy.
Optional: to heat or strain through a fine-meshed sieve.
9. BERRY LEMONADE
Ingredients:
• ½ cup lemon juice
• ⅓ cup filtered water
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 cup frozen berries
• 1 lime, sliced
• 1 bottle chilled sparkling mineral water
Method:
- Mix together lemon juice, filtered water, maple syrup in glass jar and shake well. This will be the lemonade base.
- Add berries to jug or divide between glasses, along with sliced lime. Top with lemonade mix.
Thank you so much to the Food Matters network for this list of deliciously healthy holiday mocktail recipes. By opting for these nutrient-packed alternatives, you’re supporting your body in its healing journey while still enjoying the magic of the season.
Cheers from all of us at Together Against Cancer. We wish you a peaceful and healthy festive period!
At Together Against Cancer, we often welcome guest speakers to the Wellness Centre to support your health, including nutritional guidance and ways to easily maintain an optimum diet during a healing journey. Keep an eye on our events page for an updated schedule of upcoming workshops.
