With all the excitement brewing in the air, we know the holiday season is here, and you can’t wait to celebrate them with your loved ones. And much like the food, drinks are a big part of any celebration.
The outbreak of coronavirus, followed by a nationwide closure of bars earlier this year, has adversely affected our consumption habits. Consumption of alcohol has increased drastically during the start of COVID-19. Many people started drinking heavily to cope with loneliness, social distancing, etc.
According to Nielsen data, alcoholic beverage sales have risen 55 percent in the week ending March 21. The rise in alcohol consumption has also negatively impacted those in alcohol or drug recovery, with health experts, say they have already seen an increase in relapses. (Huhn, 2020)
Don’t let the temptation to overindulge dilute your holiday spirits. Non-alcoholic mixed drinks can be just as exciting and refreshing as any cocktail. There are many ways you can mix up juices, sodas, and syrups to create refreshing beverages that everyone can relish.
Try these ten non-alcoholic drink recipes that are festive, easy to make, and of course, are delicious too.
Cherry Bomb
This holiday drink is packed with flavor and easy to make with just three simple ingredients: grenadine, maraschino cherries, and seltzer water. If you have a sweet tooth, you are bound to like this drink because it tastes just like liquid candy. But, if you prefer more fizz than sugar, you can use less grenadine and add more seltzer water instead.
Sparkling Berry Apple Mocktail
This sparkling apple berry mocktail will likely be a hit with anyone who enjoys an excellent non-alcoholic berry drink. The homemade mixed apple-juice and berry simple syrup makes this beverage unique, with a simple concoction of frozen berries and sugar for the win. Garnish this pretty beverage with your favorite berries, a cinnamon stick, or a sprig of mint or basil for a refreshing and sweet drink that is sure to satisfy your heart, soul, and taste buds.
Maple Pecan Latte
A delicious coffee recipe, this maple pecan latte is perfect for the holiday season. Designed to replicate the coffee shop version, it comes surprisingly close. The key to this drink is the homemade maple pecan syrup, which uses maple syrup, pecan butter, brown sugar, butter, and cream. With that ready and in the refrigerator, you will brew espresso, steam some milk, then mix it up.
Baby Bellini
This non-alcoholic version of the classic drink named after Giovanni Bellini is a great option for any occasion, mostly a black-tie Christmas affair. Instead of champagne, the baby bellini touts rich and sweet peach nectar with sparkling cider, garnished with a fresh slice of peach. Not only is this one elegant and beautiful, but it’s also incredibly delicious!
Eggnog Latte
For this warm holiday drink, all you need is non-alcoholic eggnog, espresso, and nutmeg. It only takes a few minutes to froth the milk and eggnog, and a shot of quickly-brewed espresso makes this drink a pure delight for the coffee lover. If you like your lattes a little sweeter, you can also add a pinch of sugar or top it off with some whipped cream. It has just the right amount of sweetness and spice to warm up a cold winter night.
Virgin Mary
There is something about a chilly winter morning that brings up the desire for a bloody Mary. It’s an exciting drink for watching a movie or simply relaxing before the day’s rush begins. Yet, there’s no need to pour the vodka.
The Virgin Mary is a healthy and refreshing drink, and you will not miss the liquor. The spicy tomato juice mix includes Worcestershire and hot sauces, pepper, celery salt, and lemon splash. Garnish it with a pickle or celery; it’s lovely either way.
Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple is a part of the drinks’ menu at nearly any restaurant, or bar in the U.S. Both adults and youngsters like to order it. Now, there’s no need to wait for your next night out to enjoy this semi-sweet old-fashioned soda. All you need is grenadine, lemon-lime soda, and ginger ale.
Lime Rickey
Cool, refreshing, and not too sweet, it’s hard to beat the crisp taste of a lime rickey. Essentially, this recipe shows you how to make a lime-flavored soda from scratch, using fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and seltzer. It’s fantastic and an inspiration for any other flavored soda you would want to mix up.
Non-alcoholic Mulled Wine
Make mulled wine without any alcohol with this quick fruity recipe. Mix a portion of pomegranate juice, berries, and spices. Voila, your delicious drink is ready to be served. It’s as warming as the original mulled wine.
Pear and Rose Punch
Want to serve your guests something special? Don’t think twice and make this fabulous pear, apple, and rose mocktail. Add vanilla pod, golden caster sugar, cardamom pods, and root ginger to a pot of peach juice and simmer. To this, add the raw apple cider vinegar, rosewater, and sparkling water. Garnish this punch with redcurrants to make a stunning drink.
Conclusion
If you plan to host an in-home event anytime soon, do remember to follow these CDC tips for hosting gatherings for a safe celebration. Also, you can find the recipes to these delicious non-alcoholic beverages in the links below.
Works Cited
Homes, E. R. (2019, December 23). Top 10 Non-Alcoholic Drink Recipes for the Holidays. https://eudaimoniahomes.com/sober-fun/top-5-non-alcoholic-drink-recipes-holidays/.
Graham, C. (2020, March 26). 12 Fun Family-Friendly Drinks for Christmas. The Spruce Eats. https://www.thespruceeats.com/holiday-mocktails-for-the-family-760195.
Graham, C. (2020, April 4). 22 Delicious Mocktails for Any Occasion. The Spruce Eats. https://www.thespruceeats.com/delicious-mocktail-recipes-4169329.
Huhn, M. (2020, March 31). Americans are drinking a crazy amount of alcohol during coronavirus lockdown. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2020/03/31/americans-drinking-crazy-amount-of-alcohol-during-coronavirus-lockdown/.
