CHRISTMAS. DRINKS. Two words that exist in complete harmony for a good month of every year. Whether it’s with all your friends on Christmas Eve, catching up with distant relatives or celebrating a good year with the team at work, going for Christmas drinks is always on the cards usually from mid-November well into January.

For me, there are mostly just two occasions a year I like to join everyone else when enjoying a good drink: in the Summer sunshine and during Christmas activities (my birthday does fall under Christmas as it’s so close!). Unfortunately, this year I have been unable to partake in either of these so in a quest to enjoy a festive drink, I have wracked my brain and consulted a cookbook or two for the best and tastiest sounding non-alcoholic alternatives. As I am not usually one for dry or bitter drinks and preferring something sweet and fruity I have kept my sweet tooth in mind whilst creating the following recipes.

(Please note all rights reserved for the photographs and recipes to One Curious Mother of course)

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The first recipe is for Mulled Apple Juice – a fitting substitute for Mulled Cider virtually tasting exactly the same but without the morning after headache.  The recipe measurements for this one makes approximately 8 servings (so you can half/quarter as appropriate or use the flavourings as you wish).

You will need to buy the following: 

• 1 litre/5 x 200ml cartons of apple juice
• strips of orange peel – 1 large orange should do the trick
• 1 cinnamon stick – 2 or more if you wish to garnish
• 3 cloves 
• sugar or honey to sweeten (optional extra!)
• Glass mug (or any glass with a handle as it’s going to be hot)

 

 

You will need to do the following:

 

 

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• Cherry cordial (I highly recommend Blossom Cottage) 
• Crushed ice
• 1 large bottle of Sprite (or any sparkling lemon-lime alternative)
• 2 tspn of granulated sugar
• Glace cherries/slices of lime, for garnish (an optional extra!)
• Glasses or cups – you may use whichever type of glass or cup you fancy!

 

 

You will need to do the following:

• Place your granulated sugar on a plate and spread evenly
• Put some water in a bowl and dip the rim of the glass/cupin it
• Keeping your glass upside down to avoid dripples, press the rim of the glass/cup into the granulated sugar 
• Now fill the glass/cup with crushed ice – around half a glass/cup is recommended
• Pour 3/4 of a glass/cup of Sprite/sparkling lemon-lime alternative – be careful not to overfill as you still have your cordial and garnish to add!
• Pour one 25ml measurement of cherry cordial in the top of the glass/cup and leave to sink into the fizz
• Top with one glorious shiny glace cherry and a slice of lime if you wish

 

 

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Last but not least, the third recipe is by far the easiest one that was invented (well discovered) by my dearest other half at the beginning of the season. As his family hold the tradition of a glass of bubbly or ‘Bucks Fizz’ when putting the tree up, he every so sweetly came across this winning non-alcoholic concoction I have now names quite simply: Grape & Orange.

You will to need the following:

• Shloer (or a fizzy white grape alternative)
• Oranje Juice
• 1 slice of orange (or a quarter of a slice)
• 1 or 2 white grapes (optional extra!)
• Champagne flute glass

 

You will need to do the following:

• Pour 2/3 glass of Shloer (or your fizzy white grape alternative)
• Pour orange juice in to the glass until about 1 finger from the top 
• Slice your orange to sit on the rim of the flute
• Add your grapes (if required) – Yes that’s all!

 

 

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So there you have it! Hopefully this will inspire all you ladies-with-babies out there who are either pregnant or breastfeeding who were searching for that fancy festive drink without the booze!

Hope you have a safe holiday season. Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to you all!

One Curious Mother x