Whilst you absolutely don’t need to drink to have fun, New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to treat yourself, with delicious drinks and special snacks being a huge part of holiday celebrations.
If you’re pregnant, and planning on partying this New Year’s Eve or spending a relaxing day with friends and family on New Year’s Day, avoiding alcohol may feel like a burden, especially if everyone around you is popping champagne and making toasts. Well, we’ve got good news - there are plenty of gorgeous non-alcoholic cocktails you can enjoy, which will bring a bit of luxury to your New Year celebrations and allow you to feel included in the festive fun!
Warming Winter Mocktails
Mulled Wine
Nothing says the party season like the sweetly spiced scent of mulled wine. And luckily this is one of the easiest warm cocktails to make a non-alcoholic version of. Simply switch out the wine for non-alcoholic alternatives!
If you’re new to making mulled wine you can find a full recipe here, simply combine a bottle of non-alcoholic wine with lemon zest, star anise, cinnamon, cloves and a little sugar and heat up to release all those amazing festive flavours. You can also swap the wine for a mixture of juices – pomegranate and apple, cranberry, or simply apple juice!
Serve in a gorgeous mug with a slice of orange and a cinnamon stick!
Not Toddies
A Hot Toddy is a classic warm whiskey cocktail, full of warming flavours like honey and lemon, perfect for these colder months of the year. If you want to enjoy a Not Toddy during your pregnancy you can make a tasty alternative using your decaf green or black tea. (Remember – no caffeine during pregnancy either!)
This recipe only takes 5 minutes and will leave you with a holiday mocktail that is packed with delicious spices – try it out on all the family - we think they’ll enjoy it just as much as you!
Hot Buttered Pineapple
This is the alcohol free version of the classic Hot Buttered Rum, it’s a simple recipe to follow – just throw your juices, spices, butter and sugar into a pan and heat up until you have a smooth, tasty drink to enjoy.
As with the previous warm winter mocktails we shared you can substitute your favourite juice into this recipe if pineapple isn’t your thing.
Holiday Themed Mocktails
Frostbite
If you’re planning on hosting New Year celebrations this year then you may want to whip up some holiday themed cocktails for your party. And odds are that some of your guests will really appreciate a glamorous, grown-up alcohol-free option too!
This icy mocktail is a perfect alcohol-free drink to enjoy during your pregnancy. Light, fresh, citrusy and sweet will truly brighten any festive parties!
You’ll need lime juice, pineapple juice, white grape juice, a lemon-lime soft drink ( this recipe uses Sierra mist natural but you can use any!) and some fresh blueberries and mint. Oh – and a cocktail shaker, and glamorous cocktail glass to present it in!
Christmas Punch
Nothing says party like a bowl of punch and who says you can’t drink this for New Year celebrations too! As an alcohol-free alternative to enjoy during your pregnancy try this version of the holiday classic to really get into the festive spirit. Again, it’s a super simple recipe, you just need to mix orange juice, grapefruit juice, pomegranate juice, sparkling white grape juice and some garnish of your choice (orange slices, pomegranate seeds, rosemary… the floor is yours!)
Being a punch, this recipe is a great option if you’re entertaining a large group – simply serve in cute cups with plenty of ice.
Festive cocktail
This Christmas mocktail recipe is for a gorgeous cranberry orange seltzer that will bring you all the classic flavours of the season without the hangovers!
Simply fill a tall glass with ice, pour in the juices and stir, then top up with ginger ale and garnish with whatever Christmas themed decoration you want to!
Classic Cocktails
Negronis
If you love a classic cocktail, you may just be yearning to enjoy an old favourite during your pregnancy this season. So why not shake up a classic recipe to create a mocktail version of a classic.
This alcohol free Negroni recipe swaps out the Campari and gin to instead make your own delicious base syrup using grapefruit, orange, cardamom pods, coriander seeds and sugar. Then bring it to life with white grape juice.
Pornstar Martini
If the sweet, fruity and fun Pornstar martini is your cocktail of choice try this mocktail version instead.
You’ll need to start with your cocktail shaker and mix alcohol free vodka, passion fruit puree, vanilla syrup, fresh lime juice, grenadine and passion fruit juice. Strain it into a classic martini glass and then treat yourself to the accompanying champagne shot by simply buying an alcohol-free champagne!
Margarita
If the icy, zesty, fresh margarita was your cocktail of choice pre-pregnancy you can easily make a virgin margarita following this recipe.
You’ll need limeade, orange juice, simple syrup, soda water for the ingredients. But also, that trusty cocktail shaker, and plenty of salt to rim your glass with! Make sure you rim the glass first to avoid getting salt in your drink – simply wipe a slice of line around the edge of the glass to get it wet, then pour some salt into a flat plate, flip the cup upside down and rub it into the salt!
Celebrate your way
Cocktails are such a fun, treaty thing to do during your holidays, not being able to drink alcohol during your pregnancy doesn’t mean you can’t spend the day inventing your own exciting mocktails. You can also easily find alcohol free wines, champagnes, beers and spirits so that you can still enjoy your favourite drinks and get involved in the celebrations.
And hey, if you just want to sip on a hot chocolate with a mountain of whipped cream – that’s okay too! It’s your holiday, and your pregnancy, and you can spend it however you want to!
