HEALTHY CHRISTMAS DRINKS FOR ADULTS & KIDS

Apart from Egg Nog, these fruity low-sugar drinks have been designed to serve  with alcohol OR carbonated water.  It allows those who do drink alcohol to imbibe less without embarrassment, if they want to.  And it gives those who don't drink, and children, an opportunity to flash something pretty and appealling in their glasses.

Cheers!

ADULTS

Fabulous Egg Nog: creamy, boozy, no raw eggs; safe for oldies; slips down like a dream (here with Sophisticated Mocha Butter Cookies)

Cherry Cordial: no sugar syrup; bright as a Christmas bauble

Pomelo & Lemongrass Cocktail: mellow, mysterious & magical; low-sugar; alcohol-free option but sensational with champagne

Raspberry, Mango & Ginger Smoothie: Add vodka or champagne for a sublime cocktail 

SUGAR-FREE FIZZY DRINKS FOR KIDS

USE CARBONATED WATER, NO SUGARY FIZZY LIQUIDS 

1.  Half Organic Fruit Juice; half carbonated water with mint leaves (no more than one glass in one day and not every day)

2.  Flavoured waters From Jamie Oliver (from Everyday Super Food (Michael Joseph £18.20)The Dish, The Times, 1 Nov 2105)

The following combinations are steeped in a jug of water and ice, and refrigerated for at least three hours.  They don't sit well overnight; make fresh daily.

Cucumber, Apple & Mint 

Add one finely sliced apple; strips of cucumber and a few fresh mint leaves.

Strawberry

Add half a dozen sliced strawberries

St Clements

Add sliced oranges and lemons

Watermelon & Basil

Add a peeled, chopped wedge of watermelon, bashing the fruit to release flavours. Add a squeeze of lime.

 

3.  67's home-made kids' teas with no or low sugar, are  a good substitute for sugary drinks.  They're not expensive and the ingredients are easy to find in supermarkets.   

• Jasmine tea (available for the frugal 

  

  This mug is very sturdy! 

  loose in Chinese supermarkets OR in teabags in supermarkets) appeals to kids because it is pale and delicate.  Make it very weak - a pinch of leaves in the bottom of a cup or a half teaspoon in a teapot. It is usually served hot but is refreshing cold with a thin slice of lemon.
  
• Berry teas, brewed in a teapot, cooled & stored in the fridge. Use as you would a cordial - an inch or two in the bottom of a glass, topped up with sparkling water. 
• Ginger tea (How to cook with fresh ginger root) is often used medicinally but makes a refreshing drink.  Use as you would a cordial - an inch or two in the bottom of a glass, topped up with fizzy water, with a slice of lemon perched on the side.  For children you may need to add a little maple syrup and a plastic straw.  

For more Christmas dishes, see How to...on the Nav Bar above; they're 2/3 of the way down the page

These recipes have been developed by B  Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.