Mocktails: Festive, Non-Alcoholic Drinks for the Holidays

Wine, beer and cocktails are often parts of holiday celebrations. While consuming alcohol in moderation can be OK, it can also present issues for those with cancer, diabetes or other conditions.Whether you have to avoid alcohol for medical reasons or you’re just looking to keep your calories in check, your holiday beverages don’t have to be boring.Mocktails — mixed drinks that do not include alcohol — can still be festive and delicious.With flavors of cinnamon, cloves and ginger,You can also connect with your inner mixologist and create your own mocktails using this simple formula:Start with a calorie-free baseAdd a small amount of fruit juiceDress up your drink:Make flavored ice cubes using diluted fruit juice or herbal tea, or freeze pieces of fruit in ice.Drop in frozen berries or pomegranate arils.Curl some citrus peels or add slices of lemon or lime.Add some mint leaves, which pair well with pomegranate and cranberry.Use cinnamon sticks, cloves or ginger to add seasonal flavors.Sue Czap, MS, RD, CSO, CDN, is a registered dietitian and a board certified specialist in Oncology Nutrition. She teaches afor cancer survivors and works primarily from Wilmot Cancer Institute’s Pluta Cancer Center.