It’s that time of year again when our calendar is full of get-togethers, dinners, parties and drinks. But what if you don’t feel like drinking, pregnant, driving or simply, a teetotaler? Celebrate the festive season with these non-alcoholic drinks that will impress all your guests and have them coming back for more.
Image via SpaFinder.com
EGGNOG
A twist on the traditional recipe, fresh almond or coconut milk replaces dairy milk offering a nuttier, wholesome and delicious flavour.
Cinnamon Almond Milk Eggnog
4 cups fresh almond milk
½ cup raw honey or coconut sugar
12 pastured egg yolks
1 cup chilled thick organic cream
1 teaspoon organic cinnamon powder
extra cinnamon powder and flaked almonds to garnish
In a medium saucepan, whisk milk, cinnamon and honey or sugar over medium heat until dissolved. In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks. While whisking, pour hot mixture into yolks in a slow and steady stream. Return mixture to pan; cook over medium heat, stirring continuously, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Do this for 20 minutes but do not let simmer. Pour into a bowl and stir in cream. Refrigerate until chilled. Serve in glasses with an extra sprinkling of cinnamon powder. May also be served as a hot drink.
Vanilla & Coconut Milk Eggnog
4 cups fresh coconut milk
½ cup raw honey or coconut sugar
12 pastured egg yolks
1 cup chilled thick organic cream or coconut yoghurt
1 teaspoon organic vanilla bean powder
extra vanilla bean powder and coconut flakes to garnish
In a medium saucepan, whisk milk, vanilla and honey or sugar over medium heat until dissolved. In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks. While whisking, pour hot mixture into yolks in a slow and steady stream. Return mixture to pan; cook over medium heat, stirring continuously, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Do this for 20 minutes but do not let simmer. Pour into a bowl and stir in cream. Refrigerate until chilled. Serve in glasses with an extra sprinkling of vanilla powder and coconut flakes. May also be served as a hot drink.
MULLED WINE
Hibiscus Berry Mulled Wine
The sweet, aromatic spices and fruit infuse in the hibiscus flower tea, which turns into a beautiful ruby red wine colour.
7 teaspoons organic hibiscus flowers
3 tablespoons raw honey
1.5 litre freshly boiled water
1 cup organic blueberries
1 organic orange, thinly sliced with skin
2 organic cinnamon sticks
3 whole organic star anise
1 teaspoon organic whole clove buds
½ teaspoon organic allspice powder
½ teaspoon organic nutmeg powder
extra cinnamon sticks, flaked almonds and a strip of orange peel to garnish
Add all ingredients to a pot and simmer on medium heat for 30 minutes. Strain and serve hot in a mug with fresh orange peel, almond flakes and a cinnamon stick.
PUNCH
Did you know that the word punch is a loanword from Sanskrit (pañc), meaning “five”, as the drink was originally made with five ingredients: alcohol, sugar, lemon, water, and tea or spices. The following recipes are have been created without alcohol or sugar but still pack a ‘punch’.
Pineapple, Passionfruit & Mint Punch
1 handful fresh organic peppermint leaves
4 organic passion fruit, scoop out the flesh
1 cup finely diced organic pineapple
2 cups freshly made organic pineapple juice
1.5 litres sparkling mineral water
2 trays of ice cubes
Combine all ingredients in a large punch bowl. Serve in punch glasses. Make sure to ladle out some fruit in each glass.
Watermelon, Strawberry & Rooibos Punch
3 teaspoons organic red rooibos
1 tablespoon raw honey
1 cup freshly boiled water
1 cup finely diced organic watermelon
2 cups freshly made organic watermelon juice
1 punnet strawberries, sliced
1.5 litres sparkling mineral water
2 trays of ice cubes
Make a tea infusion with red rooibos and raw honey by steeping in freshly boiled water for 5 minutes. Strain and chill in a jug in the fridge for an hour or so. Combine all ingredients, including the cold tea in a large punch bowl. Serve in punch glasses. Make sure to ladle out some fruit in each glass.
CIDER
The fragrance of Christmas will emanate from the making of this festive drink.
Apple & Cinnamon Icy or Hot Cider
2 litres non-alcoholic organic apple cider
3 strips organic lemon peel
3 organic cinnamon sticks
3 whole, organic star anise
1 teaspoon whole, organic cloves
extra lemon peel, cinnamon sticks and apple slices, to garnish
In a large saucepan, bring cider, lemon zest, and spices to a boil; cover, and remove from heat. Let steep for at least an hour before serving. Strain and serve with ice, a fresh piece of lemon peel, fresh apple slices and a cinnamon stick in tall glasses or serve as a hot cider with a cinnamon stick in cups.
SPARKLING
Sparkling mineral water is the perfect base for these refreshing and bubbly drinks. Serve in champagne glasses and celebrate the season.
Rose & Elderflower Sparkling
½ cup organic rose water
½ cup organic elderflower cordial
2 litres sparkling mineral water
Rose petals and elderflowers, to garnish
Combine all ingredients in a jug, stir and pour into champagne glasses. Garnish each glass with some rose petals and elderflowers.
Lime, Lemon myrtle & Mint Sparkling
3 teaspoons dried, organic peppermint leaves
3 teaspoons dried, organic lemon myrtle leaves
2 teaspoons organic licorice root
500mls freshly boiled water
1.5 litres sparkling mineral water
1 organic lime, juiced
organic fresh mint leaves, to garnish
Make a tea infusion with lemon myrtle, mint and licorice root by steeping in freshly boiled water for 5 minutes. Strain and chill in a jug in the fridge for an hour or so. Combine the chilled tea infusion, sparkling mineral water and lime juice in a jug, stir and pour into champagne glasses. Garnish each glass with a fresh mint leaf.
For more from Anthia Koullouros click here
Follow Anthia: Website | Facebook | Twitter
