Healthy Holiday Drinks the Whole Family Can Enjoy
Wow your guests with our nutritious and delicious holiday mocktails
Wow your guests with our nutritious and delicious holiday mocktails
When work parties, family gatherings and other social activities crowd your holiday calendar, it's easy to overindulge. “The problem with the holidays is there tend to be more opportunities to be unhealthy,” says Christopher Suhar, MD, Scripps Clinic cardiologist and medical director of Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine. “Nutrition is important all the time.”
Holiday drinks can be fun, festive and nutritious. Swap your calorie-heavy cocktails with these delicious, non-alcoholic alternatives — and raise your glass to a healthier holiday season.
Holiday nog
2 cups unsweetened soy milk, almond milk, hemp milk or coconut milk
2 cups orange juice
2 medium bananas
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
16 ice cubes
1 teaspoon ground allspice
In a blender, combine the soy milk, orange juice, bananas, vanilla and ice cubes. Blend until smooth. Pour into serving glasses and sprinkle with allspice. Serves 12.
Calories: 60 Protein: 2 g Carbohydrates: 11 g Fat: 1 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 15 mg
Pumpkin frappe
1 1/2 cups unsweetened soy milk, almond milk, hemp milk or coconut milk
1 teaspoon flax seeds
1 teaspoon raw pumpkin seeds
1 teaspoon raw sunflower seeds
2 tablespoons organic pumpkin purée
1/2 banana
1/2 teaspoon allspice or pumpkin pie spice
4 ice cubes
Blend all ingredients. If too thick, add a little water. Pour into a festive cup or flute to serve. Serves two.
Calories: 158 Protein: 11 g Carbohydrates: 16 g Fat: 7 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 6 mg
Festive cranberry mocktail
2 cups all-natural, no-sugar-added cranberry juice, chilled
2 cups no-sugar-added lime seltzer water, chilled
Frozen cranberries or limes for garnish
Divide cranberry juice among six champagne glasses. Top with seltzer water. Garnish with either a few frozen cranberries or lime twist and serve. Serves six.
Calories: 39 Protein: 0 g Carbohydrates: 10 g Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 5 mg
This content appeared in San Diego Health, a publication in partnership between Scripps and San Diego Magazine that celebrates the healthy spirit of San Diego.