Feel like partying hard this New Year’s Eve despite your pregnancy? While a glass of champagne won’t do you or your unborn baby any harm, you can’t indulge in as much alcohol as you may wish, which might put a damper on the festivities if everyone around you is joyfully imbibing. Instead of sulking over your lack of bubbly or fancy cocktails, try mixing up a few of these delicious mocktails, which are perfect for New Year’s parties. By the end of the night, don’t be surprised if you find people asking for a taste!
1. Shirley Temple
What’s more classic than a Shirley Temple? Just mix up ginger ale, grenadine and ice, then serve with maraschino cherries or orange and mint slices. The bonus here is that the ginger might even help you soothe a nauseous stomach if you feel morning sickness coming on.
2. Mock champagne
Think you’ll really miss the champagne? Try this alternative, which uses ginger ale, pineapple juice and white grape juice to mimic the real deal. This version undoubtedly tastes better than anything you’ll get in a corked bottle!
3. Holiday punch
Instead of a cup or three of jungle juice, sip on this festive holiday punch. Mix up sugar, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, almond extract and ginger ale, then garnish with whole cranberries. Mix it up a day before your New Year’s Eve fiesta so the flavors have a chance to blend.
4. Strawberry mojito mocktail
Nothing’s fresher than the taste of a mojito – even if there’s no alcohol involved. To make this mocktail version, mix sparkling mineral water, fresh strawberries, mint sprigs, lime slices and coconut palm sugar. The sugar should be made into a syrup beforehand by boiling it with an equal amount of water. Make sure to bruise the mint leaves so they release plenty of flavor.
5. Pomegranate cider
Even though it’s winter, not fall, cider is still a festive drink to have for New Year’s. Serve this version over ice, stirring together pomegranate juice, apple cider and some sprigs of rosemary for a flavorful garnish.
6. Chocolate mocktini
Can’t get enough chocolate during your pregnancy? Indulge in this fanciful treat (just one will likely do) by drizzling chocolate syrup inside of a glass. Then, blend chocolate milk, mint chocolate chip ice cream and some ice in a blender and pour it into the glass. Add a festive candy cane for a tasty garnish, and prepare to make a few more for jealous partygoers.
7. Sparkling sangria
Love sangria? It’s easy to make a sangria mocktail with fresh fruit and grape juice. Pick up a bottle of sparkling grape juice and mix it with slices of orange, apples, strawberries and grapes before letting it sit for a day in the fridge. When it’s ready, you’ll have a fruity drink that’ll quell your sugar cravings.
8. Ginger fizz
If you need some stomach relief, try sipping on a ginger fizz. Just heat ginger slices, sugar and lemon slices in a pan with water and cook until the sugar is dissolved. Let the mixture cool, then pour it through a sieve to extract the solids. Pour this mix into a pitcher and add sparkling water and lemon slices for garnish and added flavor.
9. Virgin pina colada
Wish you could be celebrating the New Year in a tropical locale? You can get the same island feeling in your own home by making a batch of virgin pina coladas. Just blend together slices of banana and pineapple, ice and low-fat yogurt. A bit of milk or ice cream could enhance the texture, too. Then pour into a glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry or slice of pineapple. Don’t forget to pick up some mini umbrellas if you want to go all-out!
10. Long Island iced tea mocktail
Party people love a good Long Island iced tea, but you don’t have to make them with several types of liquor to have a good time! Mix cola (diet works) with lemonade and unsweetened black tea, then pour over ice. Add a lemon wedge for garnish and sip away!
11. Virgin bloody mary
Vodka is optional when you’re making a virgin bloody mary. Just mix limeade, tomato juice, worcestershire sauce, horseradish, hot sauce and a bit of pepper over ice. Then add a celery stalk for garnish. This might even be good on New Year’s morning to cure a mocktail hangover!
12. Faux cosmo
If you’re feeling classy, try serving faux cosmos in martini glasses. Stir together lemonade, cranberry juice and lime syrup, then pour into glasses and garnish with a lime wedge.
13. Cola spice
A perfect holiday drink, this involves cola, something along the lines of Dr. Pepper or Pibb, pineapple juice and rum-flavored syrup. Serve over ice, then add a pineapple wedge to the side of the glass for some flair.
14. Orange-Earl Grey iced tea
A little caffeine might be in order so you can stay up until midnight. Steep some tea bags and an orange peel in boiling water for five minutes, then remove the bags and peel and pour into a pitcher. Add some orange juice and sugar, plus some cold water and refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving.
You don’t have to miss out on saying “cheers!” with friends and family while you’re sporting your baby bump. For more irresistible mocktail recipes that would make anyone ask, “wait, what are you having?” Just click below!
