Cocktails – with their never-ending flavours and constant new iterations - are one of the best ways we can think of to celebrate and enjoy life – pregnant or not! Of course, alcohol is a no-no during pregnancy, but whoever said cocktails have to contain strong spirits? Some of the best, most joyous, cocktails we have ever tasted have been alcohol free.
So you see, there’s no reason why pregnant mums can’t celebrate World Cocktail Day (13th May 2024) with just as much enthusiasm as their family and friends. If you’re stuck for recipes of a few quick and easy mocktails that taste just as good as they look, you’ve come to the right place. Each one of these five mocktails is simply delicious and with not a drop of alcohol in sight really are a great way to enjoy socialising whilst keeping you and baby safe.
|
Fun Facts
|
|
May 13th marks World Cocktail Day and provides people around the globe with the perfect excuse to celebrate the joy of cocktails. It marks the first official definition of a cocktail, published in a New York tabloid in 1806, which described cocktails as a “stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water and bitters”. Mocktails burst onto the scene in the early twentieth century and today can be equally complex and just as delicious as an alcoholic cocktail. Consisting of a combination of sodas, juices, herbs and syrups to create each unique flavour, mocktails offer all the fun and flavour without the need to consume alcohol. |
If you fancy celebrating World Cocktail Day with a mocktail or two, or perhaps you plan on saving the celebrations until next weekend, we’ve picked out a few of our favourite fruity mocktails that are perfect for drinking in pregnancy and we think everyone will enjoy.
Vibrant Mint Kiwi Lemonade
This is a classic summer drink, using sparkling water for the fizz factor, while keeping the rest of the ingredient list fresh and vibrant.
https://www.wideopeneats.com
Instructions:
- Boil 2 cups of water and 2 cups of sugar until the sugar dissolves. Remove this syrup from heat and add 8 sprigs of mint, letting steep for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, peel 6 kiwis and process in a food processor. Add the pulp to a pitcher. Juice 4 lemons and add the juice to the pitcher.
- Remove the mint from the syrup, then add the syrup to the pitcher. Stir lightly. Refrigerate to let the flavours blend and the syrup cool.
- To serve, fill a glass with ice if desired, add kiwi lemonade to the 2/3 mark, then fill the rest of the glass with sparkling water. Enjoy!
Refreshing Mojito Mocktail
Zinging and so quick to make, this simple recipe will leave you with plenty of time to enjoy your summer fun!
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com
Instructions:
- Muddle one tablespoon of sugar with leaves from a small bunch of mint using a pestle and mortar (or use a small bowl and the end of a rolling pin).
- Put a handful of crushed ice into 2 tall glasses.
- Divide the juice of 3 limes between the glasses with the mint mix. Add a straw and top up with soda water.
Tropical fruit smoothie
This colourful smoothie has high levels of health-protecting antioxidants, such as flavonoids and carotenoids, so is the perfect way to get ahead with your 5-a-day.
http://Deliciousmagazine.co.uk
Instructions:
- Cut 8 passion fruit in half and scoop out the pulp into a sieve. Push the pulp through a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to extract all the juice.
- Discard the seeds. Peel and slice one banana and then peel and slice 2 very ripe juicy mangoes.
- Place all the ingredients in a blender and then blend until smooth. Delicious!
Sparkle Punch
This refreshing punch contains ginger, so can help reduce the symptoms of pregnancy nausea as well as provide some party zing.
http://delish.com
Instructions:
- Pour even parts cranberry juice and lemonade into a pitcher, stirring to combine.
- Top with ginger ale, adjusting to taste. (If you're using a 20oz bottle of lemonade and 20oz of cranberry juice add 10oz of ginger ale.)
- Pour into glasses filled with ice, garnishing each cup with a lemon slice. Serve.
The Real Deal
We couldn’t recommend summer drinks without touching on the huge variety of dry bottles out there that look and taste just like the real thing, minus the alcohol of course! One of our favourites is Silk Tree, a brand crafted in Ireland, in the traditional copper still just like real gin. This smooth silky drink still retains all the punchy botanicals – warming cinnamon, refreshing coriander seeds, zingy orange peel and, of course, the juniper berries to impart the gin flavour you know and love. Silk tree is completely sugar-free –and guess what it’s gluten-free too.
https://noughtyaf.com/
Cheers all!
|
Medical Advice on Drinking in Pregnancy
|
|
If you're pregnant the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all to keep risks to your baby to a minimum. This is because alcohol passes from your blood through the placenta and to your baby. A baby's liver is one of the last organs to develop and doesn't mature until the later stages of pregnancy. Your baby cannot process alcohol as well as you can, and too much exposure to alcohol can seriously affect their development, resulting in an increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth and your baby having a low birth weight.
If you are finding it hard to cut down on what you drink talk to your midwife or doctor. They will understand your problems and help you cut down/ You can also call Drinkline on 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm) or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a free self-help group. Its "12-step" programme involves getting sober with the help of regular support groups. Find out more at https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/ |
