Pop open the sparkling apple cider, I’m celebrating a year of living an alcohol-free life this December (check out more on my journey here). And it’s the perfect time of the year to share my favorite holiday mocktail!
Serving Up Drink Options for All
The holidays are a time of year with increased social outings which means more chances to take part in holiday eats and alcohol. Whether you’re the host or the guest, it makes sense to have non-alcohol options available. Per recent Mintel research, the ‘sober curious’ lifestyle is growing with nearly 4 out of 10 people closely or occasionally following a sober curious lifestyle.
While the NA option at most restaurants these days is soda or water, if you’re hosting a holiday event, offering a festive holiday non-alcoholic beverage is an inclusive and festive way to celebrate all invited. So! We’ve got the perfect recipe: Sparkling Cranberry Ginger Mocktail. Not only is it delicious, but the ingredients will support your holiday digestive health with ingredients such as kombucha, ginger, and your immune system with 100% cranberry juice, a great source of antioxidants.
Supporting Yourself With Less or No Alcohol Over the Holidays
The holiday season can be extra tricky for a new (or even seasoned) NA drinker. Perhaps alcohol was a tool you leaned on to feel more “social.” Or maybe you simply miss the taste of that Old Fashioned that you can smell on the breath of the person you’re talking to. Either way, when we’re starting a new habit or maintaining one, it’s key to connect with the positive. Consider all that you GET versus have to GIVE UP when choose not to drink. It also helps to not replace that Old Fashioned with a boring can of sparkling water. Make sure your alcohol-replacement is one that you look forward to (like a sparkling cranberry kombucha holiday mocktail).
What GIFTS do you receive by taking part in an alcohol-free life?
Here are few of mine:
- I never wake up with a foggy or tired brain due to drinking
- I have less day-to-day anxiety
- I am sleeping like a rock
- I am saving money
- I am less likely to have regrets and guilt related to anything that happens under the influence of alcohol
- I am serving as an example of the ability to have fun without alcohol for my children
- My immune system has been functioning stronger this winter
Happy Holidays, friends!
Cheers to all!
Sparkling Cranberry Kombucha Mocktail
- Yield: 1 1x
Ingredients
1.5 Tbsp. simple syrup (see recipe below)
2 oz. cup 100% cranberry juice
4 oz. cup Ginger Kombucha
2 oz. cup club soda, sparkling or mineral water
2 sprigs rosemary
2 slice raw ginger
Fresh cranberries for garnish & for simple syrup
Instructions
For the simple syrup: In a small saucepan, combine ¼ cup sugar and ¼ cup water. Add a few fresh cranberries, sprig of rosemary and slice of raw ginger. Bring the mixture to a boil until the sugar has dissolved. Pour into a glass container and let cool. This will make about ½ cup simple syrup for future use.
Mocktail
- Place premade simple syrup plus rosemary and ginger in a measuring cup and muddle with a fork or other utensil to release the flavors of the rosemary and ginger into the simple syrup.
- Add the cranberry juice, kombucha and sparkling water to your measuring cup.
- Stir and pour over a high ball glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with rosemary and fresh cranberries.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 78
- Sugar: 19.2 g
- Sodium: 9.2 mg
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20.2 g
- Protein: 0.2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg