There are numerous delicious options for non-alcoholic drinks for the holiday season, but which ones are sure to be a hit? Below are five ideas for non-alcoholic holiday drinks for any gathering, including both hot or cold drink options. The non-alcoholic holiday drink recipes are easy to follow and take very little time to make!

1 . Double Hot Chocolate

For those cold days when a dose of chocolate will hit the spot, this drink is the perfect answer. What’s better than hot chocolate? A double dose of chocolate!

Ingredients:
4 cups half-and-half, light cream, or whole milk
3 to  4 ounces chopped semisweet chocolate
3 to 4 ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate
1 tablespoon dark corn syrup
Sweetened whipped cream

Preparation:
Combine half-and-half, semisweet chocolate, chopped bittersweet chocolate, and corn syrup in a heavy saucepan. Heat on medium, stirring until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Serve in cups or bowls. Add sweetened whipped cream and garnish with delicious bittersweet chocolate, grated.

2 . Cherry Bombs

Anyone who enjoys a Shirley Temple will love this non-alcoholic drink. It’s simple, refreshing, and fitting for holiday parties for both children and adults.

Ingredients:
1 cup grenadine
1 liter clear citrus soda, or seltzer
18 maraschino cherries

Preparation:
Heat 2 cups of water in a saucepan over medium heat, then bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir in grenadine. Pour mixture into two ice-cube trays. Freeze for at least two hours. Place grenadine ice cubes in six glasses. Add soda. Top with cherries, and serve.

3 . Peppermint Eggnog Punch

For a thick, creamy drink with a peppermint twist, it’s hard to beat this eggnog treat.

Ingredients:
1 quart peppermint ice cream
1 quart eggnog
1-1/4 to 2-1/2 cups chilled ginger ale
Extra peppermint ice cream (optional)
Peppermint sticks (optional)

Preparation:
Stir ice cream in a large, chilled bowl until soft and smooth. Stir in eggnog gradually.
Pour mixture into a punch bowl. Add amount of ginger ale for desired consistency. Optional: If desired, add more peppermint ice cream and garnish with peppermint sticks. Makes 18 4-ounce servings.

4 . Rudolph’s Tipsy Spritzer

As the name implies, vodka is typically added to this holiday drink. For the same delicious drink, just keep the alcohol out of the mix!

Ingredients:
5 cups orange juice
2 cups lemon-lime soda, chilled
1/2 cup maraschino cherry juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
Lemon slices
Fresh rosemary sprigs

Preparation:
Combine all ingredients, stir, and serve over ice. Garnish with lemon slices and rosemary sprigs if desired.

Sticking with your fitness and diet goals through the holidays can be tricky. The delicious treats and fun times at social gatherings make them almost too much to resist.

Everyone needs a little support through these times, so here’s one simple strategy to keep you motivated.

Continue reading “A Simple Strategy for Staying Fit and Healthy Through the Holidays”