3 Holiday Mocktails for the Pregnant (or Trying to Conceive) Crowd

There are three things you're sure to find at just about every holiday celebration: food, booze, and ugly sweaters. Without fail. If you're pregnant, trying to conceive, or just don't drink, one of these three may leave you feeling a little left out. While you can certainly partake of the food and don an ugly sweater, many of the festive drinks are a no-go.

Sure, you can just have some water, juice, or soda. But maybe you want something more in line with the holiday spirit. Homemade eggnog is out if you're pregnant or icked out (like me) by the whole undercooked egg thing. And definitely no glög chugging for you.

Because I wholeheartedly believe everyone deserves to have a fancy glass in hand at parties, I've put together three simple recipes for folks forgoing alcohol this holiday season.

Whether you're a teetotaller, the designated driver, or have a bun in the oven (or heating the oven up in preparation) I'm certain you'll enjoy the following virgin "cocktail" recipes. 

Not So Naughty Virgin Hot Toddy (aka Doctored Up Apple Cider...)

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

• 4 cups of apple cider
• 4 Chai Tea Bags
• Juice from 1/2 lemon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Dash of Cayenne

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, over medium-high heat, bring apple cider to a boil.
2. Once the apple cider reaches a boil, turn off the burner and remove the saucepan from the burner.
3.  Place chai tea bags in the saucepan of apple cider, along with cayenne pepper; allow to steep for 10 minutes.
4. Add lemon juice and vanilla extract.
5. Pour into serving glass or mug and sprinkle with a bit of cinnamon.
6. Enjoy.

Mock Mulled "Wine"

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

• 4 cups grape juice
• Juice of 1 orange
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1/8 tsp powdered ginger
• 1/8 tsp cardamom powder
• 4 whole cloves
• 4 star anise pods

Directions

1. Add spices and grape juice to a small saucepan.
2. Over medium-high heat, bring the spice and grape juice mixture to a boil.
3. Once the grape juice reaches a boil, turn the heat to low and allow to simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Turn off the burner and remove the saucepan from the burner.
5. Stir in the orange juice.
6. Pour into serving glasses and sip merrily.

Coconut No-Egg Nog

Ingredients

• 2-13.6 oz cans of coconut milk (make sure it's real coconut milk, none of that watered down or "lite" stuff. No ma'am. We want this to be creamy.)
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 whole cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• dash of salt

Directions

1. Add the spices, salt, and coconut milk to a small saucepan.
2. Over medium-high heat, bring the spices, salt, and coconut milk mixture to a boil.
3. Immediately after it reaches a boil, turn the burner to low and allow the coconut milk and spice mixture to simmer for 15 minutes. Make sure to stir occasionally.
4. Turn off the burner and remove the saucepan from the burner. 
5. Stir in the maple syrup and vanilla extract.
6. Pour into serving glasses and drink up.

Looking for something slushy?  Pop some frozen berries and sparkling cider into a blender and blend away. If you're not one for complicated drinks, just mix together any sparkling soda, ginger ale, or sparkling cider you happen to have on hand with a splash of juice. And there you have it, instant fancy drink. 

I hope you enjoy food, family, friends, and fun this holiday season. Be well.

Happy Holidays!