Dear Santa,
I used to be tired of never having anything to toast with at Christmas dinner or New Year’s.

That is, until I discovered mocktails. I’ve spent years finding the best mocktail recipes and I’m ready to gift them to the world. I believe that as Santa, you have the power to distribute these life-changing recipes to the world. Each of these recipes is single serving so anyone who tries these can sample each recipe and find your favorite. I hope everyone enjoys these mocktails.

Energized Eggnog

Although eggnog is the second-most popular holiday drink, there are many people who don’t love eggnog. This recipe might change your mind. This eggnog recipe will help you spice things up. The Energized Eggnog is simply the improved version of a classic drink, it contrasts the custard-esque sweetness of the eggnog with spice. Hopefully, this recipe will help justify eggnog’s popularity among all eggnog haters.

Ingredients:
¼ cup eggnog
⅛ tsp nutmeg
⅛ tsp allspice¼ tsp cinnamon
Rim and Garnish (optional):
⅛ tsp nutmeg
⅛ tsp allspice
¼ tsp cinnamon
Cinnamon stick

Directions:
Mix all the spices and mix thoroughly with eggnog.
Dip the rim of the glass into a shallow bowl of water, then quickly dip it into the spice mixture, coating evenly.
Sprinkle any leftover spice mixture on top and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Ice to taste.


Tinsel & Tang

Just as the name suggests, this drink is sparkly and tangy. If you want an impressive, yet simple mocktails recipe, Tinsel & Tang is the one. The sugar rim and fresh fruit garnishes elevate this basic mocktail. The addition of the orange extract and flavored sparkling water are what gives this mocktail its complexity. Tinsel & Tang is a zingy yet sophisticated drink that will add some sparkle to your holiday season.

Ingredients:
½ Grapefruit juiced
½ lime juiced
6 oz raspberry-cranberry sparkling water
⅛ tsp orange extract
Ice
3 tbsp sugar- for rim (optional)
Grapefruit and lime wedges- for garnish (optional)

Directions
Juice the grapefruit and lime.
Mix gently with sparkling water and orange extract.
Dip the rim of the glass into a shallow bowl of water, then quickly dip it into a shallow pile of sugar, coating evenly.
Pour and ice to taste.

Evergreen Shot

Be warned, this mocktail is for grinches, who’d rather be healthy than merry. If you’re in your winter arc, this mocktail is for you. Expect absolutely no warm, fuzzy vibes after an Evergreen Shot. This mocktail, like a shot of vodka, is meant to burn. This mocktail is full of anti-inflammatory, digestive, immune system and weight loss benefits. Like an evergreen tree, you’ll stay young and fresh through the winter season if you have the will to choke down these antioxidants in the midst of the sugariest season of the year.

Ingredients:
⅛ cup of fresh spinach
⅛ cup of fresh, coarsely cut ginger
1 lemon, juiced

Directions:
Toss all the ingredients into a blender and blend on high.
Strain the blended ingredients with a cheesecloth or small mesh strainer.
Chill and chug.

Citrus Spritzer Blizz

The Citrus Spritzer Blizz is the most avant-garde mocktail on this list. A sip will transport you into a blizzard of sophistication. While the flavor profile is zingy and sparkling, what takes this mocktail to the next level is the orange extract and orange blossom water. The bitterness and complexity these ingredients add to the mocktail is what differentiates the Citrus Spritzer Blizz from just a fancy fruit juice. Take a sip and get caught in a festive whirlwind of flavors.


Ingredients:
½ cup club soda or sparkling water
¼ tsp Orange Extract
3 tsp Orange Blossom Water
½ small lemon (juiced)
1 orange (juiced)
1 sprig mint leaves
⅛ tsp mint extract

Directions:
Juice the orange and lemon.
Crush the mint leaves into the bottom of the glass.
Mix orange juice, lemon juice, orange extract, mint extract, orange blossom water, and sparkling soda together gently.
Pour and garnish with mint and an orange wedge.
Ice to taste and enjoy.

Spiced Sip

This spiced citrus sip is sure to get you in the holiday mood. Half the process of making this mocktail is essentially brewing tea, and will fill your kitchen with the scent of a cozy winter day. The ginger and star anise are what give this mocktail a kick, while the orange juice mellows it out with its sweetness. This mocktail is best made individually. Spiced Sip’s flavor profile and garnish are simple and cozy. It’s the perfect mocktail for a night spent watching classic holiday movies.

Ingredients:
1 tbsp minced ginger
4 star anise
2 tbsp boiling water
½ orange juice
Orange zest
Ice

Directions:
Brew the minced ginger and three star anise for five minutes in 2 tbsp boiling water.
Juice ½ an orange and mix with spiced ginger brew.
Float a star anise and add orange zest on the rim for garnish.
Ice to taste, and enjoy!

Happy to help!
Mallika

P.S. Does this get me on the nice list?