Jolly alcohol-free drink options (for the whole family!)

‘Tis the season to eat, drink and be merry. I love a good glass of bubbles or a chilled glass of vino as much as anyone, but to ensure I look and feel good, I always have plenty of alcohol-free options.

 

Chilled iced teas are great to stay hydrated and refreshed, and are very easy to make. Here are 2 great recipes.

Sparkly Fruity Iced Tea

Ingredients (serves 6):

• 3 hot/cold brew tea bags
• 1.5 cups boiling water
• 2 large bottles of soda stream sparkling water
• Stevia (optional)

 

Instructions:

1. Place 3 herbal tea bags into a mug or heat proof glass and add 1.5 cups of boiling water. Red seal and Bell do some great hot or cold brew teas which are ideal for this drink. You can use any tea you like though!
2. Leave the bags to brew for 10 minutes then remove and add (optional) stevia to taste.
3. Allow the tea to cool, then place a 6th of the brew into a glass and top up with sparkling water, I LOVE using my SodaStream here for instant sparkling water!!
4. Add a few ice cubes.

 

Pineapple and Mint Fizz

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsps chopped pineapple
• Sparkling water
• Small handful of chopped mint
• Ice cubes
• Pinch of Stevia (optional)

 

Instructions:

1. Add chopped pineapple and a small handful of freshly chopped mint to sparkling water (I make mine with my SodaStream).
2. Leave to infuse for 1-2 hours then pour out through a sieve and serve with fresh pineapple and a sprig of mint with ice cubes.

 

Delicious and a super idea for an alcohol free drink.  You can add a pinch of stevia to sweeten if you like too.

 

Other options you can create using juice or soda water are:

 

• Dilute cranberry juice with soda water or sparkling water. One-third juice to two-thirds water is a good combo.
• Spicy tomato juice – this is probably my favourite! Lots of ice, tomato juice, black pepper and Tabasco sauce, so good.
• Homemade lemon or limeade – squeeze the juice of a lemon or lime into a glass and top up with sparkling or soda water. If you want a sweeter taste, you can add a tiny amount of stevia, a natural sweetener.
• Mojo-hito (yes, that’s a name I made up!) – lime juice, crushed
  mint leaves and soda water. If you want it a little sweeter, you can add stevia or some diet lemonade.
• Still or sparkling water with sliced cucumber and/or lemon/lime.
• Coconut water.
• Non-alcoholic wine – I came across this when I was pregnant, marvelous stuff! Far lower in kilojoules/calories than regular wine, that’s for sure.

 

Enjoy!

 

Article written by AUT Millennium Nutritionist, Claire Turnbull

 

For more about Claire and her work, check out www.claireturnbull.co.nz