What the heck are “mocktails”? They’re fashionable, alcohol-free, healthful versions of your favorite cocktails. Mocktails are perfect for social celebrations, intimate gatherings, or anytime you want a light, refreshing, incredibly-nutritious drink.

Stimulating to the senses, a colorful feast for the eyes, and tantalizing to the taste buds, mocktails are not just for teetotalers or health nuts, but can be enjoyed by all, including children. They improve your health and vitality and keep you looking and feeling your best no matter how many you drink. Can’t say that about a vodka tonic, can you?

Bursting with raw ingredients that contain vitamins, minerals, simple carbohydrates, and a whole range of therapeutic phytonutrients, my mocktail recipes are absolutely delicious drinks with which to toast your good health. Cheers!

Below is one of my favorite mocktails to serve during this season of joyous celebration. Give it a try, won’t you? I’m sure you’ll love it. Happy Holidays!

(psst! This drink is perfect if you’re serving mixed company—leave some mocktails as is, and serve some with gin or vodka! Voila! Everyone can enjoy.)

Pomegranate Sunrise Swirl

 

Simple to make and elegant to serve, this luscious, fruity drink is a gorgeous infusion of vibrant golden orange juice with swirls of astringent, sweet-tart, blood-red pomegranate juice throughout. It offers an explosion of vitamin C and polyphenol antioxidants, both of which are beneficial for the prevention of heart disease and cancer. This mocktail makes a perfect, festive party drink during the winter holidays when citrus and pomegranates are at their plump, juicy best.

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Juice of 3 medium oranges, tangerines, or tangelos
• Juice of 3 medium pomegranates
• 2 cups ice, cubed or crushed
• Orange slices or mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)

WHAT TO DO:

1. You’ll need two beautiful chilled tumblers or wine glasses. Add 1 cup of ice to each glass, followed by half of the orange juice. Then ever-so-slowly pour half of the pomegranate juice into each glass. The pomegranate juice will tend to settle to the bottom with gorgeous red swirls remaining along the sides.
2. Garnish glasses with orange slices or sprigs of fresh mint, if desired.

Yield: 2 servings

A good source of: antioxidants, vitamins C and K, folic acid, potassium, and natural sugars

 

Excerpted from Raw Energy in a Glass © Stephanie Tourles. Used with permission of Storey Publishing.

Author Stephanie Tourles is a licensed holistic esthetician, certified aromatherapist, and gardener with training in Western and Ayurvedic herbalism. She is the author of ten books, including Hands-On Healing Remedies, Organic Body Care Recipes, Raw Energy, Naturally Healthy Skin, and Natural Foot Care. She lives in Orland, Maine. Her website is stephanietourles.com.