The holidays are all about festive eats and drinks! Nothing’s better than tasty eggnog by the fireplace or a pumpkin spice latte on Christmas morning. Yes, the traditional recipes are full of sugars but what if you could get the same great taste with half the calories? Would you give it a try?
If you’re in the mood for holiday drinks but want something healthy and easy, check out these 6 festive drink recipes from The First Mess you must try:
Vanilla Bean, Ginger & Pear Cider
Serves: 1-2 cups
- 2 ripe Bartlett or Bosc pears, cored and chopped
- 1-2 inches fresh ginger root, peeled and chopped
- 1-inch piece of fresh vanilla bean
- 1 ¼ cups filtered water
- ½ teaspoon pure maple syrup, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Directions: In a blender, combine the chopped pears, ginger, vanilla bean, and water. Blend on high until you have a smooth, slightly thick puree. Set a fine mesh strainer over a small saucepan and grab a spoon/small spatula. Pour the pear puree through the fine mesh strainer into the saucepan. Stir and push around the solids until all of the available juice/liquid is in the saucepan. Gently heat the pear liquid in the saucepan over medium-low heat. Once it’s warmed to your liking, stir in the maple syrup and lemon juice. Serve immediately.
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Carrot Ginger Root Lemonade
Serves: 4 cups
- 1 large or two small lemons, peeled (make sure you remove the white part)
- 4 carrots, peeled + chopped
- 2 inches fresh ginger, peeled + chopped
- 4 cups filtered water
- 1/4 – 1/3 cup pure maple syrup, agave nectar, or simple syrup
Directions: Set up a large bowl or pitcher with a fine mesh strainer on top. In a blender, combine the peeled lemon, carrots, ginger, and water. Blend on high for a full minute or until the mixture is completely liquefied.
Run the mixture through the fine strainer, pressing the pulp into the strainer to extract as much liquid as possible. Transfer the strained liquid back to the blender. Add your liquid sweetener of choice to the liquid and blend on high for 20 seconds. Check the lemonade for sweetness, and adjust if necessary. Serve over ice or store in the refrigerator to chill.
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Cacao Hazelnut Hug Latte
Serves: 1 cup
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 teaspoon hazelnut butter
- 1 teaspoon coconut butter
- 1 tablespoon raw cacao powder
- 1 tablespoon herbal coffee
- 3 tablespoons non-dairy milk
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 Medjool date or a teaspoon of maple syrup
Directions: In a blender, combine the hazelnut butter, coconut butter, cacao powder, herbal coffee, non-dairy milk, salt, sweetener of choice, and boiling water. Close the lid and slowly bring the speed up to high. Let it go for 30 seconds. Turn the blender off and let the
