6 super healthy festive drinks to get you through the silly season

More than just cocktails minus the booze, these simple drinks are designed with your health in mind – perfect for the typically alcohol-soaked festive holidays.

It’s hard to navigate the festive season without alcohol entering the equation at some point. But with a few simple tips up your sleeve, you can enjoy a delicious and healthy summer without overdoing it.

Here’s a quick round-up of my favourite, super nutritious drinks and some tips for developing a better (and healthier) relationship with alcohol over the summer season.

One of my favourite combinations is one drop of lemon essential oil and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in ice-cold soda water. In the lemon oil, you've got the fragrance and the flavour without the sugar. Then you've got the probiotic digestion-improving elements of apple cider vinegar. Simple, delicious and super healthy.

If it's a really hot day, a hydrating fruit punch or fruit cocktail can really hit the spot. I’ll chop up some fruit and vegetables that are really good at cooling the body. So things like cucumber, watermelon, honeydew melon, mint, radish, pomegranate, peaches and leafy greens.

Then I would look at including a digestive stimulant – thin slices of ginger, for example. For a pop of colour, throw in some frozen blueberries or another type of berry. A big pinch of mineral-rich Himalayan sea salt can really make a difference, too. This one is fantastic for hydration on a hot summer's day. And so good for you!

Take a pomegranate and whack out the pips with the back of a wooden spoon. Pop it all into a pitcher or a jug, then add some ice water. It looks amazing from the get-go. Then chop up some citrus – you could use some thiny-sliced orange or grapefruit. Have it as a water, or you could have it as a spritzer by using sparkling water. Throw in some mint for a final flourish and you’ve got yourself a really refreshing drink.

A good virgin piña colada is mind-bending. You just take a quarter of a pineapple and add in probably 500ml or more of coconut milk (tinned or tetra-pak), blend it together and add a few sprigs of fresh mint. Pop a slice of pineapple on the side, a little cocktail umbrella and that’s pretty much it. It’s so delicious.

The key for this is having a coconut milk (or other non-dairy) milk base. Say one cup, or 250ml. Add in half a teaspoon of ground turmeric, a quarter teaspoon ground cardamom, a quarter teaspoon ground cinnamon, a quarter teaspoon freshly grated ginger, and one teaspoon of coconut palm sugar. You could also add a little bit of black pepper, which helps increase the anti-inflammatory components of the turmeric. Chia seeds make a great addition too. Blend it all together, and there you have it.

I had one of these this morning. You take coconut milk – which has loads of healthy fats –and add a tablespoon of chia seeds, which are rich in omega three and full of protein. Then just add in some frozen mango or fresh mango with ice and blend it together. The coconut milk and the chia help stabilise blood sugar, and the mango it just enough to sweeten it and make it taste amazing. It’s great if you’re having a barbecue or if the kids have been running around outside and need something cool but satiating.

Disclaimer:
The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional, tax or other advice. It does not take into account any individual’s personal situation or needs. You should consider obtaining professional advice from a financial adviser and/or tax specialist, or medical or health practitioner, in relation to your own circumstances and before acting on this information.