If you've decided to embark on the journey of a dry January, congratulations on taking a step towards a healthier, more mindful lifestyle! Whether you're giving your body a break from alcohol or simply looking for alternatives that go beyond the ordinary, we've got you covered.
We're excited to present a curated selection of refreshing drink options that will not only tantalize your taste buds but also bring a myriad of super wellness benefits to the table.
From revitalizing smoothies to energizing mocktails, these alternatives will make your dry January a delightful and health-conscious experience. So, let's dive in and explore the world of flavors and wellness awaiting you on this alcohol-free journey!
Cranberry Citrus Cooler (Mocktail/Cocktail)
Ingredients:
- ½ Nirvana Super™ Seltzer, Pineapple Orange
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 mandarin orange, peel and juice the rest
- 6 ounces Cranberry Juice
Directions:
Lightly toast the cinnamon stick the oven or toaster oven for 60 seconds. Warm the cranberry juice over low heat with the orange peel and the toasted cinnamon stick, do not boil. Take off heat, let cool to room temperature. Squeeze the rest of the orange through a sieve over a bowl. Grab two glasses with ice, place juice of the orange between the two, top with cranberry mixture (peel and stick removed). Top off with some Pineapple Orange Nirvana Super™ Seltzer. Enjoy!
Melon-Chello Spritz (Mocktail/Cocktail)
Ingredients:
- 4 oz Carrot Juice
- 1-inch Piece of Ginger (finely grated or juiced)
- 4 oz Orange Juice
- 12 oz Nirvana Super™ Seltzer, Melon Cello
- 2 Tablespoons Agave Syrup
- Melon ball or thin orange slice (optional)
- Sprig of mint or basil (optional)
Directions:
Combine carrot juice, orange juice and freshly grated or juiced ginger. Add agave syrup and shake mixture well until ingredients are combined. Divide mixer between two 12 oz glasses. Fill each glass with the Nirvana Super™ Melon Cello Seltzer. Place a melon ball or thin slice of orange halved onto the rim of glass. Rub a sprig of mint of basil between fingers to release aromatics, place inside the drink. Stir gently before sipping.
Let’s Date in the Tropics (Smoothie)
Ingredients:
- 1 Nirvana Super™ Shot, Tropical
- 4 oz. soft dates, pitted and chopped, preferably Medjool or Deglet Noors
- 1 cup rice milk
- 4 ice cubes, crushed
- 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
- 3/4 cup Mango or passion sorbet
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- pinch nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp. orange flower water (optional)
Directions:
Heat the rice milk and add dates, heat to simmer, then fridge overnight (cover to macerate).
Next day, place ice cubes and date mixture, along with rest of ingredients (except nutmeg) into a blender. Process until very smooth. Proceed to fill two glasses with the date shake, and then top with pinches of nutmeg. Serve.
New England Winter in Hawaii (Mocktail/Cocktail)
Ingredients:
- ½ Nirvana Super™ Seltzer, Pineapple Orange
- 1 cinnamon stick, lightly toasted in the oven or toaster oven for 60 seconds
- 1 mandarin orange, peel and juice the rest
- 6 ounces Cranberry Juice
Directions:
Warm the cranberry juice over low heat with the orange peel and the toasted cinnamon stick. Do not boil. Take off heat, let cool to room temperature. Squeeze the rest of the orange through a sieve over a bowl. Grab two glasses with ice, place juice of the orange between the two, top with cranberry mixture (peel and stick removed). Top off with some Pineapple Orange Nirvana Super™ Seltzer. Enjoy!
The Sienna (Mocktail/Cocktail)
Ingredients:
- 4 oz. carrot juice (freshly juiced, if possible)
- 1-inch piece of ginger, finely grated or juiced
- 4 oz. orange juice (preferably freshly squeezed)
- 12 oz. melon cello seltzer
- 4 oz. gin (for cocktail)
- 2 Tablespoons agave syrup (adjust to taste)
Garnish (optional):
- Melon ball or thin orange slice
- Sprig of mint or basil
Assembly:
- Prepare the Citrus Base: In a cocktail shaker or mixing jar, combine the carrot juice, orange juice, and freshly grated (or juiced) ginger.
- Sweeten Up: Add the agave syrup to the mix. Adjust according to your preferred level of sweetness.
- Gin It Up: Pour the gin into the shaker.
- Shake Well: Ensure lid is secure and shake the mixture well until all ingredients are combined.
- Pour: Divide the shaken mixture equally between two 12 oz. glasses.
- Fizzy Top: Slowly fill up each glass with the melon cello seltzer, adding that delightful fizz!
- Garnish: Place a melon ball or a thin slice of orange halved onto the rim of the glass. Rub a sprig of mint or basil between your fingers to release aromatics, place inside drink. Stir gently before sipping.
The SUPER Smasher (Mocktail/Cocktail)
Ingredients:
- 6 oz Nirvana Super™ Seltzer, Strawberry Cream
- 1 oz Half and half or coconut milk**
Honey Syrup:
- 2 oz Water
- 2 oz Honey
Place water in coffee cup, microwave 30 seconds until warm. Stir in the honey, and stir until fully dissolved.
- 4 oz Vodka (for cocktail)
- 1 oz Lemon juice, fresh
- 1 oz Honey syrup
- 2 tsp Strawberry jam
- 4 Strawberries, stems removed
- 1 Sprig fresh rosemary
Final Preparation:
In a shaker, combine strawberries, jam, and rosemary. Muddle with the back of a wooden spoon or a muddler until the fruit is completely smashed into a pulp. Add Vodka, lemon, honey syrup, and a cup of ice. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Pour through strainer into 2 old fashioned glasses. Pour your choice of milk on top, then top off with Nirvana Super™ Seltzer, Strawberry Cream. Give drink a gentle stir before serving. Garnish with strawberry poked with rosemary.
**Milk is optional**
The SUPERstar (Mocktail/Cocktail)
Ingredients:
- 6 oz Vodka (for cocktail)
- 3 Star anise pods
In a mason jar, combine vodka and star anise pods. Shake for 30 seconds. Let mixture infuse for at least an hour.
- 12 oz Cucumber Lime Nirvana Super™ Water, chilled
- 1.5 oz Lime juice, fresh
- 3 oz Orange juice, fresh
- 2 oz Simple syrup or agave syrup
- Ice
Final Preparation:
In a pitcher, mix the infused vodka, lime and orange juices, and syrup. Mix well to combine.
Fill two highball or collins glasses with ice. Pour the vodka mixture over the ice. Top with
Nirvana Cucumber Lime Super™ Water (leave a little space at the top to stir altogether).
Garnish with a cucumber slice and a lime wheel. Add a star anise pod floating atop to add visual appeal and aromatic to the cocktail. Stir gently to combine before serving.
Garnish (optional):
- Melon ball or thin orange slice
- Sprig of mint or basil
Winter is Green (Smoothie)
Ingredients:
- 1 Nirvana Super™ Shot, Citrus
- 4 ounces frozen spinach
- 2 oranges, peeled (Mandarin or Clementine)
- 1 very ripe banana, frozen, but slightly thawed
- 1/4” piece ginger, fresh, and peeled
- 2 T. hemp seeds (hearts)
- 6 leaves of mint
- 1 cup cold orange juice
- 4 or 5 ice cubes
Directions:
Place ingredients in a high-speed blender in the order above, add more juice to thin if desired.
Featured image credit: Photo by Pradeep Javedar on Unsplash
Recommended reading
