9 Non-alcoholic Christmas Drinks You Can Enjoy with Friends or On Your Own

I posted my first recipe for non-alcoholic Christmas drinks way back in 2013. (Where has the time gone? Seriously…) However, I enjoy versions of “mulled wine recipes” through the fall, winter, and beyond.

As the chill of winter starts to set in, there’s nothing better than wrapping your mitts around a warm mug of something comforting. And I absolutely LOVE Christmas drinks! They provide such an easy way to warm up after a winter hike. You can even enjoy them regularly as part of my winter self-care practices.

Mulled wine, traditionally made with red wine and spices, is a holiday classic. There’s no need to reach for alcohol, especially during a season already fond of sugar and overindulgence.

Sugar itself can be a challenge. In fact, studies have shown that “high levels of glucose may lead to impaired immune system function and pathological conditions“.

With a sense of creativity, you can craft non-alcoholic mulled wine recipes. While many Christmas drinks can be heavy on sugar, these alternatives offer lighter options. In addition, they contain ingredients known to boost immunity, making them both festive and functional.

Health Benefits of Spices in Your Non-alcoholic Christmas Mocktails

If you want an easy health boost, spices are great to add to all your festive meals and drinks. In fact, they are anti-inflammatory and rich in antioxidants, among other health benefits.

Spices are versatile and can easily be added to various teas, meals, and drinks. They are a practical way to boost your intake of anti-inflammatory compounds without any major dietary changes.

You’ll notice that several recipes use allspice. Allspice might be a new spice for you, so let me introduce you to it.

Allspice are firm, dried unripe berries of the allspice tree, native to the Caribbean and Central America. They contain a compound called eugenol, which has potent anti-inflammatory benefits.

Clove is another spice that has high levels of engenol. Eugenol is also known to have pain-relieving properties. This study investigated its efficacy for pain relief in a particular dental condition.

Many spices are also rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals in the body and reduce oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can trigger inflammation, so reducing it helps decrease chronic inflammation. Decreasing inflammation reduces the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. They also support immune health by protecting the body from infections and environmental stressors.

Traditionally, allspice has been used as a digestive aid. It also has carminative properties, which is a fancy way of saying it helps reduce your farts. As a result, it may help relieve stomach discomfort and promote overall gut health.

Why You Should Combine Spices in Your Non-alcoholic Christmas Mocktails

Many spices work synergistically with other spices and foods to enhance their anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, it’s a good idea to combine them like in my non-alcoholic drinks for Christmas below.

One synergistic spice combination you may have heard of is turmeric and black pepper. Black pepper contains a compound called piperine, which enhances the bioavailability of curcumin in turmeric by up to 2,000%.

Combining cinnamon, with its blood-sugar balancing effects, with ginger and its ability to help reduce diabetes-related inflammation, is another wonderful combination that can help support your digestion this holiday season.

9 Non-alcoholic Christmas Drinks

Here are 9 non-alcoholic Christmas drinks to add to your holiday recipe box.

These measurements are enough for a few servings each. You can easily scale them up or down based on how many people you’re serving.

Share these with family and friends at your holiday parties or gatherings, self-care nights, or anytime you need to warm up your body and soul.

1. Apple Cider Mulled “Wine“

Apple cider makes an excellent base for a non-alcoholic mulled wine recipe. It’s naturally sweet so we don’t need to add any extra sweetener.

Ingredients:

• 1 litre of fresh apple cider (from the refrigerated section of your local grocery)
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 orange (thinly sliced)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger (sliced)

Garnish: 1 orange (halve it, then thinly slice it)

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a pot. Simmer gently for 20 minutes.
2. Strain the mixture.
3. Garnish with orange slices.

2. Cranberry-Maple-Orange Mulled Mocktail

Tart cranberry juice pairs beautifully with citrus, maple syrup, and spices.

Ingredients:

• 1 litre of unsweetened cranberry juice
• 1/4 cup maple syrup (preferably dark)
• 1 orange (zest and juice)
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 cardamom pods (crushed)

Garnish: 1 orange and 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a pot. Gently simmer for at least 15-20 minutes.
2. Strain the mixture.
3. Serve with a slice of orange and some fresh cranberries for garnish.

3. Spiced Hibiscus Mulled Mocktail

Hibiscus adds a robust, tart flavour to this mulled “wine” mocktail recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 litre of water
• 1/2 cup dried hibiscus flowers
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 8 allspice berries
• 2 star anise
• 1-inch piece of fresh turmeric (sliced)
• 1-inch piece of fresh ginger (sliced)
• Honey to taste (I usually add 1/4 cup)

Instructions:

1. Heat the water to boiling. Add the hibiscus flowers and spices.
2. Gently simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Strain and sweeten to taste with honey.

4. Spiced Mulled Cherry Mocktail

Cherry juice is naturally sweet and pairs beautifully with warm spices. So, I love using cherry with allspice like I did in my cherry-rhubarb compote with chia pudding.

Ingredients:

• 1 litre of tart cherry juice
• 1 vanilla bean (split lengthwise)
• 5 allspice berries
• 1 star anise
• Honey to taste (optional)

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a pot and gently simmer for 15 minutes.
2. Strain and sweeten to taste if desired.

5. Pomegranate-Apple Punch

This mulled POM-apple punch is packed with antioxidants and vibrant flavour.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pomegranate juice
• 1 cup fresh apple juice
• 1 cup water
• 3 whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick

Garnish: seeds from 1 fresh pomegranate

Instructions:

1. Combine juices, water, and spices in a pot.
2. Simmer gently for 15 minutes.
3. Strain, then serve topped with pomegranate seeds.

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6. Citrus-Spice Mulled Mocktail

I love citrus anytime but especially during the dark days of winter. Try this medley of citrus juices paired with spice for fun non-alcoholic Christmas mocktails.

Ingredients:

• 1 litre of orange juice (without pulp)
• 1 lemon (zest and juice)
• 1 lime (zest and juice)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 allspice berries
• 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger

Garnish: sprigs of fresh rosemary

Instructions:

1. Mix juices, zest, and spices in a pot.
2. Gently simmer for 10-15 minutes.
3. Strain.
4. Garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary.

7. Mulled Berry Medley

This mix of berry juices makes a mocktail that is complex and festive.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 litre of blueberry juice
• 1/2 litre of raspberry juice
• 1/4 cup elderberry syrup (ideally, the only ingredients should be elderberries and honey)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 cloves
• 2 allspice berries
• 1/2 lemon, juiced

Garnish: fresh berries like blueberries or raspberries

Instructions:

1. Combine juices, elderberry syrup, and spices in a pot.
2. Simmer gently for 15-20 minutes.
3. Strain. Stir in lemon juice.
4. Serve with a handful of fresh berries for garnish.

8. Spiced Pear Mulled Drink

Pear and vanilla are a match made in heaven with this non-alcoholic Christmas drink. This is one of my favourites and a unique flavour for the holidays!

Ingredients:

• 1 litre of pear juice
• 1 vanilla bean (split lengthwise)
• 1 star anise
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Garnish: 1 pear (thinly sliced) and extra ground nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Combine pear juice, vanilla bean, and spices in a pot.
2. Gently simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Strain.
4. Garnish with fresh pear slices dusted with a pinch of ground nutmeg.

9. Spiced Orange Rooibos Tea Punch

Herbal teas work beautifully as the base for non-alcoholic Christmas mocktails. Plus, you can get creative!

If you’ve never tried it, rooibos tea has a naturally sweet, earthy, fruity, and slightly nutty flavour. It’s caffeine-free and offers hints of honey and vanilla. In addition, it doesn’t have the astringency or bitterness of some black or green teas.

With its complex flavour, I find it works well in non-alcoholic mulled wine recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1 litre of brewed rooibos tea (make this as strong as you like)
• 1 orange (thinly sliced)
• 1 vanilla bean (split lengthwise)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 cloves
• 2 allspice berries
• Honey to taste
• Optional: I love adding dairy-free milk or cream to rooibos tea. Even coconut milk can be a great addition to this tea punch.

Garnish: 1 orange (thinly sliced)

Instructions:

1. Combine brewed rooibos tea with the orange slices and spices.
2. Gently simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Strain.
4. Sweeten with honey. Add dairy-free milk, cream or coconut milk if using.
5. Garnish with a twist of orange peel.

Tips for Perfect Non-Alcoholic Christmas Drinks

1. Use high-quality juice. Choose unsweetened, organic juices to avoid added sugars. You’ll also give the flavours a chance to shine.
2. Simmer gently. Use low-medium heat so you don’t boil your non-alcoholic Christmas mocktails. This keeps you from losing the delicate herbal and other aromas from your ingredients.
3. Play with spices. Experiment with allspice, cardamom, star anise, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, or even black pepper for more complex flavour.
4. Adjust your sweetness. Use honey, maple syrup, or agave. Or, you can even use granulated sugar like coconut sugar or monkfruit.
5. Add garnish. Use fresh fruit slices, herbs like rosemary or thyme, or a twist of citrus. We eat with our eyes so garnishes help make your non-alcoholic Christmas drinks even more delicious!

These non-alcoholic mulled wine recipes are versatile and delightful. They are perfect if you’re serving one or 20! Ideal for holiday gatherings or even just a quiet night at home.

Will you try one or more of these non-alcoholic Christmas mocktails?

Let me know in the comments!

Life is a plate… Eat up,