Brilliant non-alcoholic drinks for Christmas
Not everyone drinks at Christmas so here is the lowdown on some deliciously festive non-alcoholic drinks that will knock your socks off.
Indulgent Drinks for Christmas
Christmas is all about indulgence. And for some that means getting tipsy on sherry and Baileys, then falling asleep in front of the telly.
But it doesn’t have to be all about the alcohol this Christmas. You can have a fabulous time without drinking. And what’s more, you won’t have a hangover the next morning – bonus!
In fact, not drinking has become very fashionable in recent years, with many alcohol brands launching alcohol-free forms of their drinks.
You only have to take a trip to your local supermarket to find a non-alcoholic version of your favourite tipple. There are some great alternatives out there, like Belle & Co rose 0% sparkling wine – for when you want something fizzy without the fuzzy head – or Seedlip non-alcoholic spirits, which come in a variety of blends.
Reasons not to drink
There are many reasons why people don’t want to drink. For some, it’s the taste of alcohol that puts them off and they’d prefer to stick to more traditional soft drinks. But you don’t have limit yourself to the usual cola, lemonade and orange juice, which can become a bit dull after the third glass. It’s Christmas, after all.
So why not explore some of the other options that you wouldn’t normally buy? For instance, Shloer and J20 come in a variety of flavours to suit all tastes.
And if you don’t want to let on that you’re not drinking, pour some Appletiser into a champagne flute, and if anyone asks, it’s Prosecco!
Alternative Christmas drinks
Mulled wine is traditional at Christmas, especially on those cold winter nights. So if you love the smell of the spices and cloves but don’t want the traditional, alcoholic version, try Belvoir Mulled Winter Punch. It’s a great option that you can pour straight from the bottle, or warm it up for a Christmassy hug in a glass!
Remember when you were a kid and you thought having grape juice in a wine glass made you a grown up? Have some fun with the family and create your own mocktails.
We’ve put together 10 of our favourite non-alcoholic cocktails that are easy to make and taste divine. They’ll be a hit with kids and grown-ups alike and are sure to impress at any Christmas party.
1. Fruity Christmas punch
With all the rich foods and over-eating that Christmas brings, this fruity drink brings a refreshing relief that the kids will love.
(Serves 6-8)
Ingredients:
500ml orange juice
500ml cranberry juice
250ml pineapple juice
250ml ginger ale
How to Make:
Mix all ingredients in a jug or punch bowl. Add ice to glasses and pour.
2. Non-alcoholic eggnog
Eggnog is a traditional beverage at this time of year, and is especially popular in America and Canada. But it’s said to have originated in medieval Britain.
(Serves 4-6)
Ingredients:
1 vanilla pod with seeds scraped out
4 egg yolks
100ml sugar syrup
100ml double cream
500ml whole milk
Ice
How to Make:
Add vanilla seeds and egg yolks to the syrup and whisk until pale. Thsi will take around 2-3 minutes with an electric whisk. Then add to the otehr ingredients and strain into a jug filled with ice.
3. Non-alcoholic Irish cream liqueur
We’ve all heard of Baileys, but this non-alcoholic alternative to the creamy and indulgent Christmas favourite is a winner for all the family.
(Serves 4-6)
Ingredients:
150ml double cream
50ml evaporated milk
2 tbsp maple syrup
25ml freshly brewed espresso
A pinch of ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
A pinch of finely grated orange zest
Ice
How to Make:
Shake in a cocktail shaker then pour over ice. If you don't have a shaker, you could use a jar.
4. Mock mulled wine
No Christmas is complete without a steaming glass of mulled wine, especially on those cold nights – the smell of those spices is the epitome of the festive season. This version will fill your home with that glorious scent, but without the alcohol.
(Serves 6)
Ingredients:
500ml pomegranate juice
25g golden caster sugar
A handful of frozen blackberries
250ml apple juice
1 cinnamon stick
1 star anise
4 cloves
3 black peppercorns
1 orange, quartered
How to Make:
Warm all the ingredients gently over a low heat in a pan. Add sugar to taste.
5. Cranberry spritz
This super-simple but utterly elegant mocktail will impress even the toughest of critics and is perfect for New Year’s Eve.
(Serves 2)
Ingredients:
100ml cranberry juice
Half an orange, juiced
6 sage leaves
4 ice cubes
80ml sparkling white grape juice
How to Make:
50ml of cranberry per glass, then add orange juice. Add sage leaves and ice and top up with fizzy grape juice.
A festive alternative to a refreshing mocktail, this spiced Christmas punch is sure to be a hit with the family on the big day.
(Serves 4-6)
Ingredients:
2 pears, sliced
2 lemons, 1 sliced and 1 juiced
2 tbsp caster sugar
1tsp mixed spice
400ml white grape juice
275ml ginger ale
500ml sparkling water
Ice
A handful of pomegranate seeds, to garnish (optional)
Rosemary sprigs, to garnish (optional)
How to Make:
Pop the pear and lemon slices, sugar and mixed spice into a bowl or jug and chill for an hour at least. Then add the juices, and lastly add the sparkling water and ginger ale.
7. Mulled apple juice
Apple and cinnamon is the perfect combination at Christmas. And this delicious mulled apple juice will give you a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, without the alcohol.
(Serves 8)
Ingredients:
1l apple juice
Strips of orange peel
1 cinnamon stick (plus extra for the garnish, if you fancy)
3 cloves
Sugar or honey, to taste
How to Make:
Warm through on the stove - add sugar to taste.
A staple on any good cocktail menu, this non-alcoholic version still includes all the classic flavours but without the addition of rum.
(Serves 2)
Ingredients:
1 tbsp sugar
A small bunch of fresh mint
3 limes, juiced
Soda water
How to Make:
'Muddle' (that's bash up to you or I) the sugar and mint leaves then squeeze and muddle in the lime. Add ice, soda and more sugar to taste if required.
9. Virgin piña colada
Rather be sipping this classic cocktail on the beach than spending Christmas at home in the cold? Well, sip this mocktail as the turkey is roasting and you can pretend you’re sunning yourself in the Caribbean, while keeping a clear head for the main event.
(Serves 1)
Ingredients:
150ml pineapple juice
50ml coconut water
25ml lime juice
Ice
Cherry to garnish
How to Make:
You will need to make a mock rum syrup, put the dark brown sugar and 200ml water in a saucepan, stir well and heat gently until the sugar has dissolved. Add a few strips of skin from the pineapple, and peppercorns, cloves and a cinnamon stick. Bring to the boil, then take off the heat. Leave to infuse until cold. Strain into a jug and set aside in the fridge until needed. Will keep for up to three days.
Pour the pineapple juice into a tall glass, and add the coconut milk and lime juice. Stir gently. Fill up the glass with a handful ice then slowly add 25ml of the syrup so it sinks to the bottom.
10 Passionfruit & elderflower spritz
A very posh and grown-up drink minus the alcohol, this mocktail is perfect for raising a glass to celebrate the festive season and seeing in the new year.
(Serves 1)
Ingredients:
50ml passionfruit juice
25ml lemon juice
2 tsp elderflower cordial
150ml sparkling water
1 tsp passionfruit seeds to garnish (optional)
How to Make:
With everything very chilled (including the glass!) add the ingredient to the glass and top with sparkling water.
Invention test
Of course, you don’t have to follow a recipe to create a delicious mocktail. Why not invent your own?
Make it into a family activity. Set out your favourite ingredients and get mixing. It could be a fun activity to do with the kids. Who knows, they may create a mouth-watering masterpiece that any professional mixologist would be proud of.!
