Mel's Festive Spiced Elderflower Mocktail

Although some of us can't think of anything worse while pregnant (especially in the early days) for some, avoiding alcohol at Christmas can be a tough task. With a wealth of delicious mocktail options available, there's no need to miss out on the festive fun. Opting for alcohol-free alternatives not only supports a healthy pregnancy but also allows you to join in the holiday celebrations without compromising your health or that of your baby. We recommend preparing a batch of something to give you all the festive feels so you can still enjoy this joyous time of year. 

Our co-founder Mel has a favourite alcohol-free recipe that she'll be enjoying this Christmas, it's a refreshing mocktail that's aromatic, zesty, and full of natural sweetness. Why don't you try it too?

Mel's Spiced Elderflower Mocktail

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoon honey (adjust to taste)
• 4-6 whole cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 3-5 slices fresh ginger (about 1-inch thick)
• 3 strip of orange peel (about 2-3 inches long)
• 100 ml elderflower cordial
• 120ml (hot or warm, for steeping)
• Sparkling water or tonic water (for fizz)
• Ice cubes
• Orange slices and a sprig of mint (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Make the Spiced Honey Syrup:
   In a small saucepan or heatproof cup, combine the honey, cloves, cinnamon, ginger slices, and orange peel.
   Add the warm water (not boiling, but hot enough to dissolve the honey).
   Stir well to dissolve the honey and steep the flavours for 5-10 minutes, allowing the cloves and ginger to infuse.
2. Strain:
   Once the syrup has steeped, strain it into a serving glass to remove the cloves, ginger, and orange peel. This ensures your drink is smooth and free of any chunks.

3. Add elderflower:
   To the strained syrup, add the elderflower cordial and stir well. This can then be decanted into a bottle and stored to use throughout the holidays.

To Serve:

1. Chill:
   Fill your favourite glass with ice and pour over 50ml of the syrup mixture.

2. Top with Fizz:
   Add the sparkling water or tonic water to give the drink a light, fizzy texture.

3. Garnish & Serve:
   Garnish with a few slices of orange and a sprig of mint for a fresh touch.

4. Enjoy:
   Sip and enjoy the combination of sweet, spicy, and floral flavours.

BUT THAT'S NOT ALL...

This syrup mixture can be used in so many ways throughout the festive season, why not try:

Festive Spiced Tea

Simply add this mixture into a cup of hot water for a delicious festive tea. Perfect for cosy nights in front of the fire or if you're feeling a bit under the weather.

Non-alcoholic Mulled Wine

All you need to do is substitute your fizz of choice for some warmed red grape juice, if you're a mulled wine lover and sad to miss out on your annual favourite treat, this is a great alternative. 

Other non-alcoholic drinks recommended by our team

Or if you don't have time to make this recipe, you could try some of our team's favourite non-alcoholic drinks. 

Crodino - Non-Alcoholic Aperitivo from Italy. Like a non-alcoholic Aperol Spritz.

Asahi - Light & refreshing. This is our favourite alcohol free lager.

Being pregnant doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the festive fun. With these non-alcoholic options, you can still enjoy a wide variety of flavourful drinks while celebrating the holiday season with loved ones. Cheers to health, happiness, and exciting times to come in the new year...