Looking for mocktails and cocktails you can enjoy without guilt? Impress your guests with these not-too-unhealthy and easy-to-make mixed drinks at your next holiday party
The holiday season is a time for celebration and, more notoriously, indulgence. When you’ll already have to contend with the deluge of sugary desserts and high-carb feasts, it’s perhaps best to even the scales by drawing back on the all-too-typical alcohol binges. If you don’t want to do that, consider putting together mixed drinks instead, specifically ones that aren’t unnecessarily high in added sugars and calories. With moderation, some smart ingredient choices, and a little creativity, you can still enjoy delicious mixed drinks without compromising your health too badly
RELATED: 5 Self-Care Ideas For a Healthy Mind and Body During the Holiday Stress
You’ll find a ton of recipes online, but if you want to put in less work, read ahead for our roundup of tried-and-tested and easy-to-make mocktail and cocktail recipes. With these recipes, you can impress your guests and all cheer for a happy and healthy holiday season.
Blueberry Mocktail
RELATED: Beat the Heat With Non-Alcoholic Drinks
We’re starting this list off with a mocktail. We’ve written before about making the No-Groni Spritz, Green Garden Cooler, and Cucumber Mint Lime Refresher for the summer, so for the holidays, we’re bringing your attention to Salt & Baker’s Blueberry Mocktail. It’s incredibly simple, too. To make the drink, all we did was muddle together some blueberries and mint leaves, then add Ginger Ale, fresh lemon juice, and ice afterward. Stir until it’s all mixed, garnish with more mint, and you’re golden.
Out of everything else on here, it’s the healthiest recipe simply because it lacks alcohol, which even the World Health Organization considers unsafe for our health. With a mocktail, you also won’t be risking a terrible hangover the morning after.
RELATED: Tried and Tested Healthy Hangover Cures
Skinny Mango Margarita
The mango margarita is the fun and fruity update to the classic drink, and it’s an instant favorite in our household. Toni Dash’s Skinny Mango Margarita, however, is the lower calorie and less sugary version, so it’s perfect for guilt-free boozy indulgence. Like the previous recipe, this one calls for only a few ingredients to be muddled and then mixed. In particular, you peel and cut fresh ripe mango into cubes, place them into a cocktail shaker to be muddled, and then pour tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice, agave nectar, and ice. Finally, shake, strain, and serve.
Spiced Sangria
If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to the traditional sangria, Carly Paige’s Festive Holiday Sangria is a good place to start. It’s not syrupy and the recipe relies on natural ingredients and spices. It calls for red wine, freshly squeezed orange juice and pomegranate juice, orange liquor, ginger beer or ginger-flavored kombucha, cinnamon sticks, fresh cranberries, chopped red apples, and sliced tangerines or oranges.
Put all the fresh ingredients, cinnamon sticks, wine, fruit juices, and orange liquor in a pitcher to be stirred, covered, and left to sit in the refrigerator overnight. When you’re ready to serve it, don’t forget to top it off with a splash of ginger beer or ginger-flavored kombucha. You can also add more cinnamon sticks and fresh fruit like pomegranate seeds before serving to adjust it to your taste. Thanks to the fruit and cinnamon, this sangria is not only delicious but also rich in antioxidants.
