I can’t believe it’s already New Year’s Eve! While 2020 has felt like an eternity, the holiday season seems to have flown by. I’ve definitely had some highs and lows over the past few weeks (missing travelling, and my family were a big part of that), but we still managed to have a really lovely little Christmukkah at home–filled with lots of treats, toys, and new books, of course.

To be honest, I have never been a big New Year’s Eve fan. I have many a memory of slipping around on an icy street corner in a too-thin dress, waiting for the cab that never came, in hopes of making it to the party that was usually a little too loud, and a lot too expensive. The one New Year’s Eve I can remember really enjoying was spent at a comedy show with my now husband and a group of college friends in New York City. It was casual, and chock full of laughter, and to this day, serves as a great reminder that it’s the company, not the extravagance of the event, that really makes the evening worthwhile.

So, while we won’t be doing anything “exciting” for New Year’s Eve this year, I’m still grateful that I will get to spend it with my husband, kiddos, and furry family members, in the comfort of our home.

As I currently very preggo, I will not, unfortunately, be popping any champs in the playroom while we tune in to our local aquarium’s Noon Year’s Eve celebration. BUT, I do plan on making one or more of these festive mocktails to help me ring in the new year with a little sugar and spice (insert flamenco emoji here). I have really been enjoying ginger-flavored drinks lately, as well as a good guilt-free hot chocolate (which my daughter says is “not quite as good” as Swiss Miss, but is also about 1000x better for her).

I’ve included a few of my favorite festive mocktail recipes below (which you can always make more “adult” by adding a lil’ sprinkle of the special sauce). I’ll be back tomorrow with another really lovely kids book, and some thoughts on my “wishes” for the new year!

Wishing you all happy and healthy new year!

Cranberry Spritz

Ingredients

• 1 can cranberry seltzer
• a splash of orange juice or 1/2 a freshly squeezed orange
• 1 teaspoon cranberry simple syrup
• mint for garnish
• orange slice for garnish

Cranberry Simple Syrup

• 1 cup sugar
• The zest of one lemon
• 1 cup cranberry juice (I use the Knudsen organic brand)
• 1 small piece of ginger (to be totally honest, I didn’t have this on hand, so I dissolved a ginger candy into the syrup and it still did the trick)
• 2 cups fresh cranberries

To make the syrup: Bring sugar and cranberry juice to a boil until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off heat, add ginger, lemon zest, and cranberries, and let steep for 15-20 minutes.

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a tall glass with ice. Mix and enjoy!

Basil Ginger Mimosa

Ingredients

• 1/4 grapefruit
• 1/2 can ginger beer
• ice
• 1 teaspoon basil simple syrup

Basil Simple Syrup

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup fresh basil

To make the syrup: Dissolve sugar in water over medium heat (2-3 minutes). Turn off heat and add basil. Allow to sit, covered for about 20 minutes. Cool and store in a glass jar in the refrigerator.

Instructions

Mix all ingredients in a tall glass. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit and basil

Mint-berry Moscow Mule

Ingredients

• 4 oz ginger beer
• 1/2 lime
• 3 mint leaves
• 4-5 fresh blackberries

Instructions

Squeeze 1/2 lime into a sturdy glass or cocktail shaker. Muddle the mint and leaves and blackberries gently (this website gives some helpful tips on muddling). Add the 4 oz ginger beer. Garnish with lime wedge and additional mint leaf

Healthier Peppermint Hot Cocoa

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond milk (or other milk)
• 1 tbs cacao powder (I use the Thrive market brand)
• 1 tbs maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 mini candy can

Instructions

Mix the cacao powder, almond milk, maple syrup and vanilla together in a saucepan. Heat on medium heat until steaming. Crush 1/2 the candy cane into small pieces. Place candy cane pieces into the bottom of a mug, and pour simmering hot chocolate mixture on top. Stir to dissolve candy cane and enjoy HOT!

Seedlip Cocktails

I also purchased the Seedlip Spice 94 from our local market last week because I was curious AND it was on super sale. Seedlip is a distilled non-alcoholic spirit made with natural herbs and botanicals. They also have an entire page on their website dedicated to mocktails you can make with their product. So far, I’ve really enjoyed this product, and it looks fancy on my shelf: a win-win.