Make These Booze-Free Drinks For Your Next Holiday Party
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It’s the season of indulgences and that’s okay (treat yourself!). However, during this time of year, it’s easy to indulge in more “holiday cheer” than usual. Contrary to popular belief, increasing your alcohol intake can actually make you more stressed. Since alcohol is a depressant, consuming it over a prolonged period of time can take a toll on your mental health. By cutting back on booze, you’ll save money, sleep better and cut your risk for liver disease and high blood pressure.
Here are a few great tasting, alcohol-free cocktails that will help you cut back this season without compromising your good times.
⅓ cup fresh blackberries
½ lemon juice
¼ tsp. vanilla extract
½ tsp. honey
Splash of club soda
Muddle blackberries with lemon juice, vanilla, honey and a splash of club soda in a cocktail shaker. Strain mixture and transfer it to a cocktail glass filled with ice. Fill the glass with club soda and garnish with blackberries and mint leaves.
Blood Orange Basil Mocktail
3 large basil leaves
2 oz. ruby red grapefruit juice
4 oz. blood orange Italian soda
2 oz. tonic water
Muddle basil and grapefruit juice until basil is fragrant. Add blood orange soda and tonic water and mix well. Serve on or off the rocks, depending on your preference. Garnish with fresh basil and an orange slice.
3 oz. cranberry juice
3 oz. apple cider
Splash of lemon-lime soda
Apples and fresh cranberries (for garnish)
Pour cranberry juice and apple cider into a cocktail glass. Top with soda, garnish with apples and cranberries, and drink to your health.
2 ½ cups apple juice
1 ½ cups sparkling water
1 pear chopped
½ cup cranberries
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
1 cinnamon stick
Add pears, cranberries and a cinnamon stick to the bottom of a pitcher. Pour apple juice and sparkling water over fruit. Then, add cinnamon. Stir and chill the mixture for a few hours or overnight. Mix again before serving.
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