Ditch alcohol and enjoy these 5 fruit-based mocktails on Christmas

Ho ho ho! Christmas is here, and that means it’s the season to make merry and party. Most of us believe that parties are incomplete without those free-flowing cocktails and cheesy snacks, right? But how about ditching these tipples and enjoying some delicious mocktails instead? Sounds like a plan!

We got in touch with Parul Malhotra Bahl, Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Educator, and Founder at Diet Expression, to draw up a list of mocktails. Trust us, these are refreshing to say the least. So, sip on them and have a good time. Plus, you save up on some calories too!

1. Berry Pina Colada

Ingredients:

150 ml crushed pineapple
50 ml coconut milk
25 ml lime juice
Ice
2 tbsp crushed frozen cherry/strawberry

Method:

1. In a mason jar, add crushed pineapple, coconut milk, lemon juice and mix well.
2. In a tall glass, put the crushed frozen berry at the bottom.
3. Add crushed ice and top it up with the pineapple coconut mix.
4. Garnish with a cherry on top and serve.

Also, read: These are 5 of the unhealthiest cocktails you can drink on New Year’s Eve

2. Pomegranate spiced tea

Ingredients:

1/4 cup fresh pomegranate juice
1 tbsp cinnamon syrup
1 tea bag
1/2-3/4 cup water

To make the cinnamon syrup:

½ cup raw honey
4 cinnamon sticks
½ tsp vanilla extract

Method:

1. To make the cinnamon syrup, take one cup water and add half a cup raw honey, cinnamon sticks, vanilla extract and bring it to a boil.
2. Prepare the drink by adding pomegranate juice in a glass and add the cinnamon syrup.
3. Next, add the tea bag and pour hot water on top.
4. Remove the tea bag within 30 seconds and relish the cinnamon spiced pomegranate tea.

3. Cranberry ginger shrub

Ingredients:

1 bag fresh cranberries
1 cup cider vinegar
½ cup water
½ cup raw honey
1 ½ -inch piece peeled and sliced fresh ginger
2 cinnamon sticks
Ice and club soda, for serving

Method:

1. Combine cranberries, vinegar, water, raw honey, ginger, and cinnamon in a saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
3. Reduce heat and simmer until berries start to break down (10 to 15 minutes).
4. Cool it completely.
5. Strain through a fine wire- mesh strainer, mashing mixture to release liquid; discard solids and chill.
6. To serve, pour 25 ml of the mix over ice, and top it with club soda.

4. Spiced pumpkin punch

Ingredients:

⅓ cup raw honey
1 cinnamon stick
1-inch fresh ginger sliced
½ cup fresh pumpkin puree
1 tsp vanilla extract
¾ cup orange juice
¾ cup lemon juice
2-3 cans ginger ale or perrier water
Apple slices, orange slices and few pom seeds for the punch

Method:

1. Here’s how to make the spiced pumpkin syrup. In a medium pot, add ⅓ cup water, honey, cinnamon, and ginger, and bring them to a boil over high heat.
2. Boil for 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat.
3. Stir in the pumpkin and vanilla extract.
4. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a glass. Let it cool.
5. In a large pitcher, combine the orange juice, lemon juice, and pumpkin syrup. Chill until ready to serve.

6. When ready to serve, add the ice, ginger ale/perrier water, pomegranate seeds, orange slices and apple slices. Pour punch into glasses.

5. Sparkling citrus

Ingredients:

4 cups fresh orange (blended)
4 cups lemon soda
2 oranges
2 limes

Method:

1. In a large pitcher, stir together blended orange, lemon soda, sliced oranges, and sliced lime.
2. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Serve over ice.