Tis the Season to Get Lit: Healthy Holiday Cocktails

‘Tis the season to get lit… healthified! To knock out 2016, we’re putting a healthy twist on some of our festive favorites. Here’s how to sneak in some extra antioxidants while you’re ringing in the New Year and celebrating the finale of the holiday season.

Paleo Egg Nog (serves 2)

• 1 14 ounce can full fat coconut milk
• 2 cups coconut milk from the carton (or any milk/ milk substitute)
• 4 egg yolks
• 4 sprays of propolis
• 1/2 cup of raw unpasteurized honey (we recommend our Sweet Clover honey, or Buckwheat if you're feeling adventurous)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: 2 shots of rum

Topper: Extra nutmeg and cinnamon for serving Instructions:  Combine all ingredients in the basin of a blender. Blend on high until well-combined and frothy. Chill until cold, then serve topped with nutmeg (and a splash of rum for us big kids).

Kombucha Cocktail (serves 4)

• 1 slice of fresh ginger (around 1 inch), thinly sliced
• 1 piece of fresh rosemary
• ½ cup 100% organic cranberry juice
• 2 12-ounce bottles of Kombucha, preferably original or ginger!
• 1 teaspoon of raw honey (we recommend using our delicious Raspberry Blossom honey)
• Optional: 4 shots of vodka

Garnish

• Small piece of ginger
• Frozen cranberries
• Branch of rosemary

This recipe also makes a mean mocktail if you have some friends that aren’t planning on drinking. Instructions: In a pitcher or quart-sized mason jar, muddle sliced ginger and rosemary together using the end of a wooden spoon (if you actually have a muddler use that!). Then, add in both the cranberry juice and kombucha (and vodka if desired), and gently stir. Finally, pour into 4 glasses.

Mulled Wine – Two Ways

Mulled White Wine

• 1 bottle dry white wine, like chardonnay
• 1 1/2 cups apple cider
• 1/3 cup raw unpasteurized honey (we recommend using our Wildflower honey)
• 1/3 cup whole cranberries
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 apple, sliced
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 vanilla bean, split in half
• 1 tablespoon whole cardamom pods
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• 1 teaspoon-size knob of ginger

Keep aside some cinnamon sticks, orange wedges, cranberries, and star anise for serving. Instructions: Combine all ingredients together in a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until slightly simmering and hot. Now comes the fun part… the taste test. Check to see where your mulled wine’s at – could you do with more sweetness or spice? Adjust accordingly. Serve immediately while the wine is hot!

Mulled Red Wine

• 1 bottle semi-dry red wine, like cabernet
• 2 cups apple cider
• 1/3 cup raw unpasteurized honey (we recommend using our rich Buckwheat honey)
• 1/3 cup whole cranberries
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 apple, sliced
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 4 star anise
• 1 vanilla bean, split in half
• 1 tablespoon whole cardamom pods
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves

You know the drill, keep aside some cinnamon sticks, orange wedges, cranberries, and star anise for serving. Instructions:  Follow the same directions as above for the mulled white wine and bam, done! Serve hot. To take your hostess skills to the next level, make your drinks look all kinds of fancy by adding cinnamon sticks for swirling or fruit for decorations. Now time to get your drink on, grab your pots and pans, sparklers, and get ready to ring in 2017!