Healthy Holiday Drinks

Put the eggnog down and avoid that hot chocolate. Let’s stay healthy with delicious options!

SLEIGH DRIVER

What You Need:

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
• 3 pears, chopped into bite-size pieces, divided
• 2 quarts apple cider
• 1 lemon, halved and sliced
• 1 tablespoon ground allspice
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract

What To Do:

1. Combine water, sugar, ginger and 1 pear in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Strain out the solids and return the mixture to the pan.
2. Add the remaining pears, cider, lemon and allspice and heat over medium-high heat, stirring often, for 15 minutes.
3. Add cranberries and vanilla and reduce the heat to medium-low (the liquid should be simmering, not boiling). Let simmer for 10 minutes more. Serve in heat-safe mugs.

CRANBERRY GINGER FIZZ COCKTAIL

What You Need:

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges
• 1/2 orange, cut into slices
• 1 1/2 cups dry gin – Bombay Sapphire, Beefeater or Tangueray suggested (OPTIONAL)
• 1 cup chilled Ginger Ale
• 4 mint springs

What To do:

1. Bring sugar and water to a boil in a medium saucepan, stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; pour off all but one cup of syrup, reserving any extra for another use including other holiday cocktail recipes.
2. Heat the syrup to a boil and then reduce heat to medium. Add the cranberries and simmer for 2-3 minutes until they just begin to burst. Remove from heat and let cool in syrup.
3. Place 2 Tablespoons drained cranberries and 6 Tablespoons cranberry syrup in a large pitcher; add the lemon wedges and orange slices.
4. Using a muddler or wooden spoon, vigorously mash the fruit.
5. Stir in gin and let steep for at least 5 minutes.
6. Strain into a medium pitcher.
7. Fill 4 glasses with crushed ice and 1/4 cup ginger ale.
8. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and then pour half the cranberry mixture into the shaker and shake vigorously for 10 seconds, strain liquid into two glasses. Repeat.
9. Mound additional ice on top of each glass and garnish with 3 candied cranberries and a mint sprig.