Raise your glass to 2017 with a delicious nonalcoholic cocktail in hand. Not only will these recipes jump-start your healthy resolutions for the new year, but they look festive and are packed with fresh flavor. These light drinks can be enjoyed day or night.
Cheers to a happy and healthy new year!
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Virgin Ginger Mimosas
- Ice
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 8 ounces plain sparkling water
- 2-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
- 1 tangerine, peeled and divided into wedges
- 1 6-inch sprig fresh rosemary
Add ice into a highball glass, then add orange juice. Top with sparkling water. Garnish with fresh ginger slice and two tangerine wedges. Use rosemary sprig as stir ring stick. Serves 1.
Approximate nutritional analysis, per serving: 70 calories, 17 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 14 g sugar, 1 g protein, no fat, cholesterol or sodium
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Pomegranate and Fennel Spritzer
- 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
- 1 fresh fennel bulb, thinly sliced
- 32 ounces ginger-berry flavor kombucha
- Ice
- 3 mint sprigs
Combine pomegranate seeds, fennel and kombucha in a pitcher. Serve in glasses over ice, garnished with mint sprig. Serves 3.
Approximate nutritional analysis, per serving: 70 calories, 16 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 9 g sugar, 1 g protein, no fat, cholesterol or sodium
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Pear Punch
- 46 ounces pineapple juice, chilled
- 25.4 ounces sparkling peach juice, chilled
- 40 ounces sparkling white grape juice, chilled
- 2 cups pear juice
- 1 liter ginger ale
- 2 pears, sliced and frozen
Combine pineapple, sparkling peach and sparkling grape juices in a large pitcher or punch bowl. Add pear juice and ginger ale. Pour into short tumbler glasses and garnish each with a frozen pear slice. Serves 15.
Approximate nutritional analysis, per serving: 140 calories, 20 mg sodium, 35 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 30 g sugar, no fat, cholesterol or protein
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New Year Kicker
- 2 cups chopped cantaloupe
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 8 to 12 ounces club soda
- 4 pieces of cantaloupe, cut into thin wedges
Puree cantaloupe, vinegar and honey in a blender. Strain into a measuring cup or bowl and press on any remaining solids; discard solids. Divide among 4 highball glasses filled with ice and add 2 to 3 ounces club soda to each. Garnish with cantaloupe wedges. Makes 4 servings.
Approximate nutritional analysis, per serving: 80 calories, 30 mg sodium, 20 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 19 g sugar, 1 g protein, no fat or cholesterol
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Chai Blossom
- 2 chai tea bags
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
- Ice
- 8 to 12 ounces club soda
- 4 whole star anise pods
- 4 lemon twists
Combine tea bags and 1 cup boiling water in small bowl; cover and let sit 8 to 10 minutes.
Add sugar; stir to dissolve. Discard tea bags and let syrup cool.
Combine chai syrup and lime juice in a pitcher; stir. Divide among 4 rocks glasses filled with ice and top each glass with 2 to 3 ounces club soda. Garnish with anise pods and lemon twists. Serves 4.
Approximate nutritional analysis, per serving: 110 calories, 20 mg sodium, 29 g carbohydrate, 26 g sugar, no fat, cholesterol, fiber or protein
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Ombre Grapefruit Soda
- Pink or red colored sugar
- 2 cups grapefruit juice, chilled
- 1/4 cup simple syrup (see note)
- 1 can clear soda water, chilled
- 4 teaspoons grenadine syrup
Dip rims of 4 Champagne glasses in water, then dip rims in colored sugar. Add 1/2 cup grapefruit juice and 2 tablespoons simple syrup to each glass. Top off each glass with soda water and a teaspoon of grenadine. Do not stir. Serves 4.
Approximate nutritional analysis, per serving: 190 calories, 15 mg sodium, 47 g carbohydrate, 33 g sugar, 1 g protein, no fat, cholesterol or fiber
Note: To make simple syrup, dissolve 1 part sugar in 1 part boiling water. Cool.
More Hawaiian Electric Co. recipes are available at hawaiianelectric.com.