Festive drinks for a holiday at home
‘Tis the season for traditions around food and drink. As a dietitian, many of my clients ask how they can enjoy festive beverages while reducing sugar intake. Whether you are reducing sugar for health reasons or you just prefer something a little less sweet, here are some delicious drink ideas to try this holiday season!
UNSWEETENED TEA
Try a bottled unsweetened tea or steep your own from any tea bag. Great bases for festive drinks include peppermint, ginger, lemon, or fruit herbal teas. Consider using an extra tea bag and steep a few more minutes than usual for a stronger tea, as it will be diluted by other ingredients. While steeping, add mulling spices: cinnamon stick, nutmeg, allspice berries, cloves, crystallized ginger, orange and lemon peel. Serve warm or iced for a beverage that’s sure to ramp up your holiday mood, whether you are relaxing with a holiday movie or tackling some gift wrapping!
KOMBUCHA
Technically a tea, Kombucha deserves its own mention. This fermented tea is becoming more popular and is now widely available in the grocery store. The naturally carbonated, low sugar drink packs just the right amount of fizz for an excellent cocktail or mocktail. Most bottled kombuchas are less than 10g sugar per bottle and come in many flavours. Look for delicious raspberry and ginger varieties from PC Organics.
NATURALLY LOW SUGAR JUICES
Freshly squeezed citrus fruits including lemon, lime, and grapefruit are great low-sugar options for mix-ins. Throw in slices of fresh fruit, such as peaches, strawberries, or citrus slices for extra appeal. Frozen fruit can be used to keep drinks cold without diluting their flavour. Cranberry juice is very festive, but different brands vary in the amount of sugar they contain, so check the nutrition label, especially for products labelled ‘cranberry cocktail’ and ‘cranberry juice blend’. A great low-sugar option is the locally produced Terra Beata Pure Undiluted 100% Cranberry Juice. Also consider tomato or vegetable juice cocktail for a savoury beverage.
SPARKLING WATER
This hot-weather option for beach days, picnics and BBQs can also be the star of holiday drinks. Sparkling water comes in a wide variety of natural flavours with no sugar or sweeteners. President’s Choice has many varieties of sparkling water including a new selection for the holidays inspired by classic soda flavours – think ginger ale, cherry vanilla and more. These are all excellent choices as the base of a festive drink. Check out the Sparkling Ginger Pomegranate Mocktails recipe below for a subtly sweet and spiced sipper.
HERBS
Fresh herbs elevate the flavour of beverages, and they make drinks look so fun and impressive. Rosemary, mint, and basil mix well with other ingredients in drinks. Take a risk with some lavender or the controversial cilantro!
Happy Holidays from our dietitian team, and be safe while you enjoy the food and drinks of the season!
Sparkling Ginger Pomegranate
Mocktails
INGREDIENTS:
Spiced Honey Syrup:
• 4 black peppercorns
• 3 whole cloves
• 1 each cinnamon stick and star anise
• 1 piece (about 3 inches) fresh ginger, sliced
• 2/3 cup (167mL) honey Mocktails:
• 1 1/2 cups (375mL) ice cubes
• 1 cup (250mL) 100 percent pomegranate juice
• 1/2 cup (125mL) Spice Honey Syrup
• 1 can PC Ginger Ale Flavour Sparkling Water
• 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 8 pieces crystallized ginger (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Spiced honey syrup: Combine peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon stick, star anise, fresh ginger, honey, and one cup water in small saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to a simmer and cook 10 minutes. Discard star anise. Let cool to room temperature. Discard peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon stick, and ginger. (Tip: Refrigerate in sealed jar or airtight container up to one week.)
Mocktails: Divide ice among glasses. Pour 1/4 cup pomegranate juice and 2 tbsp Spiced Honey Syrup into each glass. Top with sparkling water, dividing evenly. Stir to combine.
Garnish glasses with rosemary sprigs. If using, thread crystallized ginger onto wooden cocktail skewers and place in glasses.
Note: This recipe makes more Spiced Honey Syrup than you need for four mocktails, but the leftovers will keep in the fridge for a week. Use it to sweeten coffee, tea, or sparkling water, or brush it over cake layers before icing to keep the cake extra moist.
Makes four mocktails and 1-1/3 cups (333 mL) Spiced Honey Syrup
Per serving: Calories: 80; Total Carbohydrate: 21 g,
Total Fat: 0 g, Saturated Fat: 0 g, Dietary Fibre: 0 g, Protein: 0 g, Sodium: 5 mg, Sugars: 20 g
Recipe source: pc.ca
Do you have a nutrition health goal in mind? The Atlantic Superstore dietitian team can coach you to success! At this time, individuals can set up a personalized consultation either by phone, virtually, or inperson, at bookadietitian.ca or email us for more information at dietitian@loblaw.ca. All in-store group events and presentations have been cancelled until further notice.