Mocktails and Non-Alcoholic Holiday Drinks
The holidays, especially Christmas and New Year’s Eve/Day can be hard on many people but it can be even harder on someone who has just begun their recovery. Being around a lot of people who are drinking alcohol can become a triggering situation if you aren’t careful. Large family get-togethers where alcohol is flowing can be very tempting to someone who has recently stopped drinking alcohol. But we can’t let those temptations get to us. We can have fun without alcohol. The alcohol wasn’t what made us have fun. Sure it makes us feel more outgoing and like we are “part of the group”, but we can still be a part of the group without ruining the sobriety we have worked so hard for. If you do not feel comfortable asking your friends and family to keep alcohol out of the party this year, there are other options. You might even feel like avoiding the entire situation altogether and this might be the easiest way to stay sober. If you feel this way, it is perfectly ok. I have been avoiding friends who drink for the past 2 months, myself. We all have to do whatever it takes to stay sober during Christmas, or really any day of the year.
I know it is not ideal to avoid all family and friends during the holidays for most people. Sometimes, even when your family doesn’t drink alcohol at all, just being around certain people will still trigger that old feeling to just get drunk and forget about it until tomorrow. If you are around people who give you anxiety, you can make up an excuse to leave early if you need to. If your family and friends all drink, there are ways for you to join in on the fun and not relapse.
You can read more tips and information on how to stay sober during the holidays HERE.
Tomorrow I will be exactly 60 days sober! In celebration of this milestone, I thought I would give you all a few non-alcohol mocktail recipes to enjoy during the holidays. Sometimes at night, we will just have Sprite, or cranberry with some lime juice and a little grenadine in it and that will help me not crave alcohol at all. Replacing alcohol with fun fruity drinks not only makes you healthier but can help with alcohol cravings at night, and when in mixed company, it makes you feel like you are still “in the group” without jeopardizing your sobriety. This year, thinking about not drinking for the holidays seems so strange, scary, and new. I don’t know what to expect because I’ve always been either waiting to drink that night, already drunk, or hungover. I will be around a few people who give me anxiety and will make me want to drink. But I’m not going to this time. I still have cravings for alcohol, almost every day. Having a ” fake drink” like the ones listed below really helps every now and then. Non-alcoholic drinks are fun to make, taste great and leave you with no hangover and regret. There are a lot of recipes online as well.
As always if you need help withdrawing from alcohol or drugs or if you require treatment for alcohol dependency call Addiction No More today. 1-800-513-5423
🎄 ❄🎅🤶 I wish you all safe, sober, and happy holidays, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.
Non-Alcoholic Holiday Drink Recipes
Listed below are a few recipes for non-alcoholic and mocktail drinks that you can enjoy during the holidays.
Christmas Punch
1 orange sliced
1 cup cranberries
½ cup pomegranate seeds
2 cups Cranberry Juice
2 cups orange juice
1 cup pomegranate juice
2 cups Lemon-lime soda such as Sprite or 7UP
ice
fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish
lime wedges for garnish
Instructions: Add the slices from 1 orange, 1 cup cranberries, and ½ cup pomegranate seeds to a large pitcher or punch bowl. Pour in 2 cups cranberry juice, 2 cups orange juice, 1 cup pomegranate juice, and 2 cups lemon-lime soda. Serve in glasses over ice and garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs or lime wedges.
Non-Alcoholic Mint Julep
3 cups club soda
1 cup sugar
3 tsp lime juice
6 oz thawed lemonade concentrate
6 tbsp creme de menthe syrup (this is non-alcoholic)
green food coloring
mint leaves for garnish
lemon for garnish
cherries for garnish
Instructions: In a medium pot, dissolve sugar in club soda by stirring constantly on medium heat. Add lime juice and lemonade concentrate and bring to a boil.
Remove from heat and add creme de menthe syrup and food coloring. Chill. Makes about ⅔ gallon.
White Grape Punch with Cranberry Ice
1 c. cranberries (fresh or frozen)
24 mint leaves
2 c. white grape juice (or Cran-Peach)
3 c. seltzer
1/4 c. lime juice (from about 3 limes)
You can use other fruit as a garnish for this recipe. Peaches go well with this drink. You can also substitute cranberry-peach juice instead of white grape juice.
Instructions: For the ice: Divide the cranberries and mint among the holes of a large silicone ice cube tray. Fill with water to cover the fruit and herbs and freeze until solid. For the punch: Before serving, mix the grape juice, seltzer, and lime juice in a large pitcher. Put a few ice cubes in each glass and pour in the drink.
Cranberry Cooler
1/4 cup cranberry juice concentrate thawed
1 tbsp simple syrup
2-3 drops peppermint extract
1/2 cup ice
12 oz. club soda or sparkling water
sugared cranberries and rosemary for garnish
Instructions: In a cocktail shaker, combine concentrate, simple syrup, extract, and ice and give it a couple of shakes. Separate evenly between two 8 oz. glasses. Top off with club soda. Garnish with sugared cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.
Make sugar cranberries fast by placing three on a toothpick, dipping them in simple syrup, and rolling them in sugar.
Peppermint Julep
1 cup of Crushed Iced
1 oz of Peppermint Simple Syrup
2-3 oz of Cranberry Ginger Ale
A sprig of Fresh Pine (or a sprig of fresh mint)
Candy Cane for Garnishment
Instructions: Add 1 ounce of Peppermint Simple Syrup to the bottom of a glass. Add the crushed ice. Top off with the Cranberry Ginger Ale. Add a sprig of fresh pine, mint, and a candy cane for holiday flair.
Author: Anna Marie Skye
Follow Anna Marie Skye as she discusses her struggle with binge drinking and her sobriety journey HERE.
