My Top 4 Healthy Holiday Cocktails

I love me some healthy holiday cocktails. And let’s not forget the three long weekend B’s—BBQs, beers and the beach. All the hallmarks of an amazing time with friends and family.

So, in the holiday spirit (and since I’m not much of a beer connoisseur), I am cracking open the MPW recipe book to share my FOUR favorite healthy cocktails. These are not only delicious but will actually help you avoid a killer holiday hangover, if you have to head into the office tomorrow.

What makes these recipes “healthy” you might ask?

Well, I’ll be the first to acknowledge that alcohol in and of itself is not a health or super food. BUT a delicious, handcrafted cocktail made with real ingredients is one of the more joyful experiences in life. That first sip that makes your taste buds tingle and your mind say “Aaahhhhhh” is cause enough for celebration.

Plus, all of these cocktail recipes have zero added sugar, processed syrups or weird glow-in-the-dark mixers, so your holiday will be more happy dance and less hangover slump.

So, don your best red, white and blue, and prepare for a refreshing and relaxing holiday happy hour!

Peach-Ginger Gin + Tonic

(Makes 1 serving)

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce good quality gin (I prefer Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire)
• 2 parts club soda
• 2 lime wedges
• 2-3 sliced peaches, slightly muddled
• 3-4 slices of fresh muddled ginger per drink
• drizzle of organic maple syrup for added sweetness, if needed

Directions:

1. Add the ginger and peaches to your shaker or large mason jar, then muddle with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. No need to crush them hard, just stir and push the peaches and ginger around until you can easily smell the yummy peachy-gingeryness.
2. Add good gin (and maple syrup if needed) and shake it up.
3. Pour gin + ginger + peaches into serving glass. Pour twice the amount of club soda to your gin in each glass.
4. Finish with 1 lime squeeze of lime per drink. Add lots of ice and an extra lime wedge to serve.

Note: This is also amazing with cucumber + fresh basil!

Cilantro Vodka Lemonade

(Makes 4 servings)

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces/shots of organic high-quality Vodka
• ¾ bunch cilantro leaves
• 6 ripe lemons
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional)

Directions:

1. Juice lemons and remove the seeds. Add lemon juice, cilantro and maple syrup to the blender and puree for about 20 seconds. Add extra maple syrup if you like it a bit sweeter.
2. Strain out pulp and pour into a glass jar.
3. Pour over ice and sparkling water, and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.

Spicy Cucumber + Mint Margarita

(Makes 4 servings)

Ingredients:

• 4 oz/shots good quality tequila
• ½ to 1 small jalapeno, sliced (If you love spice, use the full jalapeno. Less spicy, remove the seeds and use only half.)
• ¼ cucumber peeled and sliced
• 4 mint leaves with stems, plus more for garnish
• 3 oz Cointreau
• 4 limes, juiced, plus 1 sliced for garnish

Directions:

1. In a shaker, add tequila, Cointreau, lime, jalapenos, cucumbers and mint, then muddle with a wood spoon.
2. Next, add some ice and shake that baby up.
3. Fill glasses ¼ way with club soda and more ice and pour margarita mixture over the top.
4. Stir gently and garnish with limes and fresh mint leaves.

Watermelon-Mint Prosecco Cooler

(Makes 1 large pitcher with watermelon to spare!)

Ingredients:

• 1 medium seedless watermelon
• 6-7 ounces of organic high-quality vodka
• 1 bottle of Prosecco
• Handful of fresh mint

Directions:

1. A few hours before drinking begins, chop and peel the watermelon into large chunks and pop into the freezer, along with your bottle of vodka, which will go nice and gloopy if you store it in there.
2. When you’re ready to serve, put about a quarter of the watermelon chunks into a high powered blender along with the vodka and puree until smooth.
3. Top up with prosecco and then blend on a low setting to combine without it frothing up too much.
4. Fill a large mason jar with ice and then pour the lovely pink cocktail over and garnish with plenty of fresh slightly muddled mint leaves.
5. Top with a little more prosecco, if desired!

Which recipe is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below. Happy 4th of July!

LOVE + sparkly fireworks!