Oh how I look forward to sipping on a glass of wine, tequila or bourbon! When I was pregnant, I missed being able to drink alcohol, especially at gatherings with friends and family, and during the holidays. There’s something extra enjoyable about a cozy drink on a cold night under the glow of Christmas lights. If you’re currently pregnant and can relate, here are some things to remember and a few ideas to try for creating your own mocktails!
First, avoid substituting your pre-pregnancy adult beverage with sugary drinks like lemonade, fruit juices and soda pop (this includes diet soda). These wreak havoc on your blood sugar and are not ideal nutrition sources for your growing baby and your own body.
Instead, make healthier mocktails using sparkling water or coconut water as a base and adding in herbs and splashes of juice or fruit wedges for flavor.
Here are some great herb and fruit combinations to try with your base liquid:
🍈Lime wedges and fresh mint
🍉Watermelon juice, cucumber and mint
🥒Cucumber
🍋Lemon slices (or lemon and lime slices)
🍊Orange or grapefruit slices
🍋Lemon and lavender
🍓Sliced strawberries and basil leaves
🍏Apple slices and a small chunk of fresh ginger (a little goes a long way!)
🍍Pineapple chunks (goes great with coconut water!)
🍒Pure cranberry juice, tart cherry juice or pomegranate juice (these juices are all lower in sugar than common ones like orange and apple)
If you’re like me, part of the fun of having a cocktail comes from the visual aspect of a pretty beverage! Just because you’re not drinking alcohol doesn’t mean your beverage shouldn’t be pretty!
Here are some ideas for making your drink as enjoyable to look at as it is to drink:
🍹Use cocktail glasses!
🍓Throw in pops of color with fresh berries (or any of the fruits or herbs mentioned above)
🌸Add in a couple edible flowers, or make ice cubes with edible flowers and use them
🧂Dip the rim of the glass in a little salt (and pepper!)
🌿Garnish with fresh cranberries, pomegranate arils or Rosemary sprigs
