Drink: Apple Ginger Honey Spritzer

A simple recipe for a fresh-pressed sparkling juice that has the spirit of a cocktail…

I’ll be blunt, I love the holidays, but they have a tendency to usher in some not so festive habits. Thanksgiving and the celebrations that follow — and the stress that inevitably accompanies them — often brings with it heavy meals, too many sweet treats and too much alcohol. While delightful in moderation, these temptations take on new life when they surround us completely. At work, when we’re out and about, and when spending time with family and friends, it can all feel impossible to avoid. By the time January 1st rolls around, it’s common to be left feeling bloated and tired and in need some heavy duty resolutions — the exact opposite of what we should be feeling at the start of a new year! At the beginning of 2016, I set out to transform my own habits, completely cutting alcohol from my life for 60 days. It was an eye-opening experience, and one that left me feeling empowered and energized to think of new ways to imbibe… without actually imbibing. While I might have a glass of wine (or two) from time to time, I’m making some changes to how I approach this holiday season, refusing to allow stress and the allure of too many pretty cocktails diminish my wellness and leave me feeling drained.

Today I’m sharing a simple recipe for a fresh-pressed sparkling juice that has the spirit of a cocktail but brings with it a host of benefits. Cinnamon and ginger for digestion, the phytonutrients of raw honey, and the seasonal sweetness of apples; paired with sparkling water, it’s hard to believe this drink is 100% virtuous. Make some for yourself, or serve it as an option for dinner or party guests who forgo alcohol. I can guarantee designated drivers will thank you for it, and non-drinkers will appreciate having something other than water and sugary sodas to sip.

Apple Ginger Honey Spritzer

{Makes 4 small servings or 2 larger}

Ingredients:

4 medium apples (I used Macintosh)

2 inch piece of ginger

1 tbsp raw honey

Sprinkle of cinnamon

Sparkling water

*A juicer is recommended for this recipe

Steps:

Rinse apples and ginger under running water. Cut the apples into quarters and remove the seeds. Scrape the skin off the ginger.

Run ginger, then the apples through your juicer (in that order), collecting juice in a bowl or large measuring cup.

Use a small whisk or fork to whisk the honey and a dash of cinnamon into the apple-ginger juice.

To serve: Divide juice between glasses and top off with sparkling water. Garnish with a thin slice of apple.

Tip: To give this mocktail a more complex pop of flavor, try replacing the sparkling water with plain kombucha.

+ More healthy cocktails and healthy mocktails

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