December Recipe: Holiday Cheer In A Glass - Mocktail Edition!

'Tis the season to gather, celebrate, and sip on something delightful! Whether you're scaling back or skipping the alcohol altogether, there’s no reason to miss out on the fun. These mocktail recipes suggested by IIN are not only bursting with holiday flavors but also crafted with a health-conscious twist, using natural ingredients and less sugar than most alcohol-free traditional options. 🍊🌿

Raise a glass to enjoying the season’s festivities with mocktails that feel indulgent, keep you refreshed, and let you savor every moment – guilt-free! 🥂

Now, let’s get mixing!

Pom-Pom Teaser

Ingredients:

• Handful of ice cubes

• 2 cans (8 ounces) sparkling water, plain or strawberry-flavored

• 4 ounces pomegranate juice

• 1 tablespoon pomegranate arils

• Sprigs of thyme (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Fill each glass with ice.

2. Add sparkling water and pomegranate juice, stirring to combine.

3. Add pomegranate arils.

4. Garnish with sprigs of thyme.

Mint Cucumber Cooler

Ingredients:

• 5 to 6 mint leaves

• 1 tablespoon honey, agave syrup, or maple syrup

• 1 Persian cucumber, grated

• 2 cups sparkling water

• Handful ice cubes

• 1 jalapeño, sliced (for garnish, optional)

Instructions:

1. Muddle mint leaves at the bottom of a cocktail shaker/glass using a wooden spoon or muddler.

2. Stir in honey, agave syrup, or maple syrup to incorporate.

3. Add cucumber to mixture.

4. Add a handful of ice cubes to glass.

5. Pour sparkling water into drinking glasses, then add in cucumber and mint mixture

6. Top with optional jalapeño slices.

Apple Cider Hot Toddy

Ingredients:

• 2 cups apple cider

• 1 green-tea bag

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger

• 4 whole cloves

• 2 whole star anise pods

• 2 teaspoons of lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Pour apple cider into a small saucepan and bring to a low boil.

2. Once boiling, lower heat to a simmer and add the tea bag, steeping for 5 minutes

3. Add cinnamon sticks, grated ginger, cloves, and star anise.

4. After simmering for another 5–10 minutes, add lemon juice.

5. Remove tea bag and serve hot, with cinnamon stick and star anise as garnish.