Mocktail Recipes for the Holiday Season
During the Holiday season, there are lots of parties and events that we all attend. If you are trying to stay sober during this holiday season no matter the reason here are some delicious mocktail recipes that you can enjoy no matter the event you are at!
Tips on Hosting Parties with Family & Friends
1. Make a Decision Regarding Alcohol
If you’ve only recently been sober, it may be tough for you to be around other people who are drinking and partaking in the behaviors that you’ve recently given up – so instead, throw a sober party free of alcohol and drugs. Choose the one that best supports your current stage of recovery. If you don’t feel comfortable being around alcohol or drugs at this point in your recovery, make it clear to your guests that alcohol and other substances are not welcome.
2. Make Your Guests a Priority
Avoid inviting unsupportive friends and old acquaintances, such as those who may urge you to drink or take drugs despite knowing you’re trying to stay sober. Don’t feel bad about not inviting old friends who are still active users. If it comes up, explain that you’ve limited the guest list to a small group to prevent jeopardizing your sobriety. Friends who are worth having will recognize that your recuperation is your main concern.
3. Invite Your Sober Friends
Attending a party as the sole sober person can be scary and organizing a party can be even more so. Invite a few sober friends to you own party to avoid feeling lonely. At a social gathering, new friends you’ve met at meetings, your sponsor, and even old acquaintances who already live a sober lifestyle can provide a pillar of support. If you’re inviting friends who are also in recovery, consider their needs as well. For example, if you plan to serve alcohol at your party, make sure they’re comfortable with the presence of alcohol.
4. Put the Emphasis on the Food
Instead of focusing on drinking, turn your attention to food by preparing some inventive and delectable foods for your gathering. You may get pretty creative with party cuisine, whether you’re planning to serve a full meal or simply provide plenty of snack items for your guests to enjoy. Make it a putlock and invite your guests to bring their favorite party food or dish to share if you’re too stressed out about party planning.
5. Make It a Theme or Activity-Focused Event
If you’re concerned that your guests won’t have enough to talk about, a theme party will put that fear to rest. Request that your guests dress appropriately for a sure-fire discussion starter. Alternatively, you map plan a party centered on a specific activity. Go bowling, for example, or organize a hike with a group of friends. An activity-focused party is the most certain method to keep your guests entertained, and it can also reduce the stress of party planning.
6. Don’t Forget About the Icebreakers
If your guests list is made up of old and new pals, chances are they don’t all know each other. Break the ice with enjoyable introduction activities to help everyone get to know one another and start the conversation.
Throwing a party – and keeping sober – doesn’t have to be a chore when you’re in addiction recovery. Follow these tips to plan a fun, safe get-together with the people you care about without jeopardizing your sobriety.
Cranberry Spice
Ingredients:
1.5 oz sparkling water
2 oz cranberry juice
4 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
2.5 oz apple cider
10 cranberries (plus additional for garnish)
Orange wedge
Instructions:
Muddle cranberries and orange wedge in cranberry juice, and then pour in the rest of the ingredients and stir with a spoon. Garnish with cranberries and orange peel and serve on ice.
From the Waldorf Astoria Chicago
Christmas Lights
Ingredients:
2 oz cranberry juice
.5 oz lemon juice
2 oz homemade sorrel tea
Dry kombucha
Instructions:
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a champagne flute. Top with kombucha and garnish with a clove-studded orange twist.
From Jim Wrigley, beverage manager at Ave at Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, Grand Cayma
Apple Cranberry Spritzer
Ingredients:
Apple juice
Cranberry juice
Sprite
Cranberries
Rosemary
Instructions:
In a glass mix equal parts apple juice and cranberry juice. Add a dash of Sprite. Garnish with cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.
From Jekyll Island, Georgia
Holiday Mule
Ingredients:
.75 oz cinnamon syrup
.75 oz lime juice
.5 oz cranberry juice
Fever Tree Ginger Beer
Instructions:
Combine the cinnamon syrup, lime juice, and cranberry juice in a cocktail shaker and shake with ice. Pour into a collins glass over ice. Top with ginger beer and garnish with fresh cranberries and rosemary sprig sprinkled with a dusting of powdered sugar.
From XV Beacon, Boston
Non-Alcoholic Hot Buttered Rum
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup Monk Fruit In The Raw bakers bag (or 24 packets of Monk Fruit In The Raw)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/16 teaspoon ground cloves
Boiling water
Half and half or heavy cream
Instructions:
Combine the butter, sugar, Monk Fruit In The Raw, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and cloves in a mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until thoroughly combined. Use immediately, or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.
To make each drink, scoop 1 1/2-2 tablespoons of the buttered spice mixture into a small mug. Pour 1/4 cup of boiling hot water into the cup and stir or whisk to dissolve completely. Add 1-2 tablespoons of half and half or cream, and stir once more. Taste, and add more water or cream, as desired.
By Mary of Barefoot in the Kitchen
Cider, Thyme + Tonic Mocktail
Ingredients:
12 oz apple cider
2 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 oz thyme simple syrup*
1 bottle (9.3 ounces) tonic water
Additional thyme and lemon slices for garnish
Instructions:
Add all ingredients except tonic water to a pitcher and stir until fully incorporated. Add ice to four glasses, filling each about halfway. Divide the cider mixture evenly among the glasses. Top with tonic water. Stir gently. Garnish with a sprig of thyme and enjoy!
*Thyme Simple Syrup
.5 cup granulated sugar
.5 cup water
2-3 sprigs of fresh thyme
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a small saucepan. Turn heat to low and stir until sugar dissolves. Simmer an additional 5 minutes or until syrup coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat. Take out the thyme sprigs and allow the syrup to cool completely before using. Store leftover syrup in a jar in the fridge for up to 2-3 weeks.
From Offbeat and Inspired
Mango Mule
Ingredients:
4-5 slices of cucumber
1 oz honey syrup
1.5 oz mango puree
1.5 oz fresh lime juice
1.5 oz ginger beer
Ice
Instructions:
In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, muddle cucumber and honey syrup. Shake the mango puree and lime juice vigorously with ice. Pour into a copper mug. Stir in the ginger beer before serving.
Lemongrass Jasmine Iced Tea
Ingredients:
4-5 pieces of cut lemon grass
.5 oz simple syrup
.5 oz lemon
4 oz jasmine tea
2 oz lychee juice
Instructions:
Shake well with ice. Strain twice into a high ball glass. Add cubed ice. Crush some ice on top. Garnish with lemon grass.
Blueberry Mojito
Ingredients:
6-8 mint leaves
Handful of fresh blueberries
2 oz of lime juice
2 oz of simple syrup
Splash of club soda
Instructions:
Blueberries should be lightly muddled. In a shaker, combine all of the ingredients plus ice. Shake well and serve.
Berry Burlesque
Ingredients:
.5 oz lime juice
.5 oz honey syrup
1 oz black currant puree
4-6 mint leaves
Q Ginger Beer
Instructions:
In a shaker filled with ice, combine, and shake all contents except the ginger beer, then strain over new ice. Top with ginger beer.
Vantage Point
Ingredients:
2 oz ‘New London Light’
2 oz coffee (cold brew, decaffeinated or fresh)
.5 oz agave syrup
Orange peel to garnish
Instructions:
Fill a Boston shaker halfway with ice and add all the ingredients. Shake for 15 seconds before straining into a glass with a large ice cube. Garnish with an orange peel twist.
Rose Fizz
Ingredients:
1 egg white
1 tsp powdered sugar
.5 oz fresh lemon juice
Fentimans Rose Lemonade to top
Instructions:
Dry shake all ingredients, except for the lemonade. Shake vigorously with ice until almost foamy in texture. Serve with rose lemonade on top.
Lyre’s Dublin Double Irish Coffee
Ingredients:
2.5 oz Lyre’s American Malt
4 oz hot brewed coffee
.25 oz premium maple syrup
3 oz whipped cream
Instructions:
In an Irish Coffee mug, combine maple syrup, American Malt, and a dash of hot coffee. Stir in maple syrup to dissolve it, then add the remaining ingredients and top with whipped cream. Garnish with grated orange zest if desired.
Virgin Watermelon Margarita
Ingredients:
1 medium seedless watermelon, cut into chunks
.5 cup fresh lime juice
4 tsp agave
5 tbsp sparkling water
Instructions:
Puree enough watermelon chunks in a blender to make 4 cups of watermelon puree. Miz in lime juice and agave. Fill 4 cups with mixture. Add sparkling water on top.
Seedlip Spice & Tonic
Ingredients:
2 oz Seedlip Spice 94
Tonic syrup to taste
Tonic water to taste
Star anise
Cinnamon stick
Instructions:
Pour Seedlip Spice, tonic syrup, and tonic water into a tumbler filled with ice and mix. Garnish with star anise and cinnamon stick.
Pina Serrano Margarita
Ingredients:
1 oz Optimist Smokey Non-Alc Tequila
2-4 slices of serrano pepper
2 oz pineapple juice
.5 oz lime juice
.5 oz simple syrup
Instructions:
In a shaker, muddle serrano (gently crush it). Shake in the remaining ingredients and ice until chilled. Serve immediately in a rocks glass with fresh ice, garnished with additional serrano coins for extra heat.
Sources:
https://www.womansday.com/food-recipes/food-drinks/g2036/non-alcoholic-drinks/
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/drinks/g3122/christmas-mocktail-recipes/
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/drinks/how-to/g785/best-mocktail-recipes/
https://drugalternativeprogram.org/how-to-host-a-party-without-compromising-your-sobriety/
