Choosing not to imbibe at a holiday gathering can feel a bit like turning down cake at your best friend\u2019s birthday party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether you\u2019re skipping alcohol for health reasons, staying sober for the drive home or simply wanting to keep it light, there are plenty of reasons to go alcohol-free. And here\u2019s the good news: it doesn\u2019t have to be all or nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If, like me, you love a good glass of pinot but don\u2019t want to overindulge in the holiday season, there are better alternatives than to be stuck clutching a V8 or Diet Coke in a can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why not put mocktails in a class all their own? It’s easy to make them as much of a treat as the best seasonal cocktail, muddle and all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why I\u2019m here to celebrate the art of the mocktail\u2014to create something so delicious that you\u2019ll never feel like you\u2019re missing out. And with a few sensational local ingredients to guide you, it\u2019s easy to make it your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A great mocktail should channel the vibe of its cocktail muse, matching it in flavor, presentation and garnish. Instead of cranberry, orange juice and seltzer with a squeeze of lime for effort, a real mocktail needs complexity, aromatics and adult taste appeal. It needs to be served in a proper glass and garnished appropriately (no sliced fruit on wine glass rims).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the right ingredients and a little know-how, you can whip up non-alcoholic drinks that are as much of a conversation starter as the finest craft cocktail. And no, it doesn\u2019t have to be complicated. Let me share a few simple recipes that pack a punch\u2014minus the next-day regrets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I love combining sparkling water with an intensely fruit-flavored balsamic vinegar. Julia Jafarian of Aptos\u2019s Olive Oil Story recommends Cranberry Pear balsamic as a flavorful way to level up your mocktail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s how to make it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s tangy, refreshing and as festive as any cocktail on the menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This bold and colorful tea-based mocktail looks and tastes like a less sugary version of your favorite sangria. Pick one box each of your favorite hibiscus and ginger teas. I use looseleaf, but pre-bagged works just as well. Here\u2019s the recipe:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a longtime favorite that involves shrub, a concentrated syrup that combines fruit, sugar and vinegar. This version uses Strawberry Meyer Lemon Shrub made from strawberries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To make it, simply fill a wine glass with one cup of cold water and add 2 tablespoons of Strawberry Meyer Lemon Shrub. Stir to combine, and enjoy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The result? A drink that\u2019s as complex and satisfying as anything you\u2019d find at the cocktail lounge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NA drinks don\u2019t have to be whatever the children are drinking. With just a few key ingredients and a dash of creativity, they can become the star of your holiday gatherings\u2014giving you all the cheer without any of the regrets. So this season, whether you\u2019re the host or a guest, raise a glass to festive drinks that everyone can enjoy. Happy holidays!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Choosing not to imbibe at a holiday gathering can feel a bit like turning down cake at your best friend\u2019s birthday party.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14789,"featured_media":20178664,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_expiration-date-status":"","_expiration-date":0,"_expiration-date-type":"","_expiration-date-categories":[],"_expiration-date-options":[]},"categories":[1691],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n