Not only is it the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also the most social. As cocktail parties, holiday dinners, and secret santa exchanges abound, it’s hard to pencil in much else these days. But here’s the honest truth- while these are moments of great joy and celebration, they can also feel very strange if you’re in the middle of reevaluating your relationship with alcohol. It always seems like drinks play such a central, inescapable role in holiday functions. Maybe you’ve been sober for a long time, maybe you’re curious about what your life would look like if you were to start, or maybe you just want to reduce your alcohol consumption for any number of reasons- all of these scenarios are indisputably valid and require no explanation to anyone else. However, during this time of year we can find ourselves in situations where others may knowingly or unknowingly question our choices. Whether it’s a family member trying to pour you a drink or a friend telling you that it’s a special occasion, these are moments that feel awkward or uncomfortable. Nonetheless, the bottom line still remains the same: you drink when you want - not for the sake of doing so, not because of social pressure or second glances, but because you genuinely desire it. Drink or no drink, you don’t owe anyone a justification about your relationship with alcohol. That belongs to you alone, so don’t let anyone try to convince you otherwise. A simple “yes I’d love one” or “no thanks, I’m good” is always enough and that’s it. It’s a territory that takes time to master, but the more you do so the more confident that you will become. And for when you want to have something to sip on that’s alcohol free, we’ve rounded up five holiday mocktails that are just as delicious as they sound. Enjoy them at your next gathering or all year round- the choice is always yours!
Recipes:
- Pomegranate and Rosemary Spritz: This pomegranate and rosemary spritz is so good that we are unofficially naming it the mocktail of the season! Using Kin Euphorics High Rhode as a base, this mocktail will deliver a gentle buzz as it’s slightly caffeinated, full of adaptogens, and infused with Rhodiola rosea. Bonus: it will look as good as its tastes!
Add the following ingredients to a shaker and strain over ice:
- 2 oz Kin Euphorics High Rhode
- 2 oz Pomegranate Juice
- 2 oz Llama Mama Lemon Lime Prebiotic Soda
- 1 tsp of agave syrup
Add pomegranate seeds, dried orange slices, a cinnamon stick, and a sprig of fresh rosemary to garnish!
- Cranberry Moscow Mule: We’re always fans of a good Moscow Mule, and especially ones with a holiday twist! With equal parts Poppi Ginger Lime Prebiotic Soda and your favorite cranberry juice, this little number is perfectly refreshing and bold all at once. Give it a try, we dare you to resist a refill!
Add the following ingredients to a copper mug and gently muddle:
- Mint leaves
- A splash of fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp of agave syrup
Pour ice and then add following:
- 3 oz Poppi Ginger Lime Prebiotic Soda
- 3 oz Cranberry Juice
Stir, garnish with mint leaves and cranberries, and enjoy!
- Grapefruit and Lavender Spritz: The secret to this spritz is all in the seltzer! Combining spice, citrus, and floral notes, Sound’s Grapefruit, Lavender, and Ginger Tea Sparkling Water is one of the most uniquely delicious seltzers around. Complemented by some coconut water for extra hydration and a splash of lime juice, this mocktail is simple to make and just pure fun!
Add the following ingredients to a shaker and strain over ice:
- 3 oz Sound Grapefruit, Lavender, and Ginger Tea Sparkling Water
- 3 oz Coconut Water
- Splash of fresh lime juice
Garnish with some basil and you’re good to go!
- Apple Cinnamon Margarita: This apple cinnamon margarita is hands down one of the best mocktails that we’ve ever had the pleasure to try! Full of apple juice, cinnamon, and some orange juice for an unexpected twist, this drink tastes like the holidays in a cup! Rub the rim with some cinnamon, throw in a cinnamon stick for garnish, and you’ll have a 5/5 star mocktail ready to go!
Rub lime around rim of glass and coat with cinnamon
Combine following ingredients in bowl and set aside:
- ¼ tsp of cinnamon
- 1 oz agave syrup
Add the cinnamon-maple mixture and the following ingredients to a shaker and strain over ice:
- 2 oz of non-alcoholic tequila (optional)
- 2 oz of Lakewood Organic Pure Apple Juice
- 2 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 oz of Lakewood Organic Pure Orange Juice
Add cinnamon sticks to garnish and take a sip!
- Salted Caramel Espresso Martini: There isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t dream of this salted caramel espresso martini! Containing the perfect amount of savory and sweet notes, this mocktail is bold, smooth, and absolutely delicious.The ultimate indulgence if you ask us!
Rub caramel sauce around rim of glass and coat with graham crackers
Add the following ingredients to a shaker and strain over ice:
- 2 oz of non-alcoholic spirit of choice (optional)
- 2 oz of NuRange Cold Brew Coffee +
- 1 oz caramel syrup
- Pinch of sea salt
- Splash of La Faza Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract
Garnish with coffee beans for a fun extra touch!
Drinkware:
In our opinion, the perfect mocktail isn’t complete without some stunning drinkware to accompany it. With so many options its hard to choose, but lately these picks from Undisclosed have been some of our favorites:
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We hope this mocktail guide has filled you with some inspiration on how to navigate this holiday season alcohol free! As always, make sure to tag us in any of your creations so we can join in on the party!
About the Author: Andreina Pardey. Andreina is the lead blog contributor at Basquet. She is a storyteller at heart, passionate about understanding people and the things that connect them. You can find her exploring new restaurants, listening to live music, or at her favorite bookstore when she's not writing. Connect with her on LinkedIn.