(Note: If you decide you want to add a little alcohol, we’ve made suggestions for ways to include some spirits.)
Elderberry Fizz
Known for its antiviral and immune-boosting properties, elderberry syrup is used as a tonic during cold-and-flu season. Its flavor is reminiscent of a good red wine with dark-fruit undertones, providing a sweet-yet-sophisticated quality to this mocktail.
Makes 2 servings • Prep time 5 minutes
- ¼ cup elderberry syrup (substitute 100 percent elderberry juice for a less-sweet option)
- ½ lime, cut into 4 slices
- 8 oz. chilled sparkling water or sparkling fruit juice
Thyme Clementine
This sweet and herby beverage supports your immune system with the antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of fresh thyme and vitamin C from juiced clementines.
Makes 2 servings • Prep time 20 minutes, plus time to chill
- ¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh thyme leaves, loosely packed
- ½ cup boiling water
- ⅛ tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)
- 3 clementines, juiced, seeds removed
- 2 clementine-peel curls, for garnish
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme, for garnish
Winter “Sangria”
This antioxidant-rich, wine-free take on sangria features flavorful elderberry and pomegranate juices. Prepare this the night before serving so the fruit flavors can meld.
Makes 8 to 10 servings • Prep time 10 minutes, plus at least three hours to chill
- 1 qt. pomegranate-juice blend, such as pomegranate-cranberry or pomegranate-cherry (look for 100 percent juice)
- 2 cups elderberry juice
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 1 lime, thinly sliced
- 1 ripe pear, peeled, seeded, and diced
- 1 Granny Smith apple, seeded and diced
- 1 cup red grapes, cut in half
- 4 cups sparkling water
Fennel-Ginger Digestif
Ginger and fennel are well known for their digestion-supporting powers, making them a great choice for this warming after-dinner drink.
Makes 8 servings • Prep time 10 minutes, plus time to cool • Cook time 15 to 20 minutes
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1 ½-in. piece fresh gingerroot, minced (about 2 tbs.)
- 2 whole star-anise pods
- 2 tbs. whole fennel seeds
- 3-in. piece orange or lemon peel
- 6 to 8 fresh sage leaves
- 1 bag hibiscus tea
- ½ tsp. ground turmeric powder
- ⅛ to ¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
Rosemary-Grapefruit Sparkle
Pink grapefruit’s vibrant color and flavor make this simple drink particularly cheery, while heart-healthy rosemary adds an herbal quality.
Makes 2 to 4 servings • Prep time 10 minutes, plus time for rosemary syrup to cool • Cook time 15 to 20 minutes
- ¼ cup loosely packed rosemary leaves, coarsely chopped (can substitute 1 tbs. dried rosemary leaves)
- ½ cup boiling water
- 1 tbs. honey
- 1 cup fresh-squeezed pink-grapefruit juice
- 8 oz. chilled sparkling water
Cozy Tea Toddy
Traditionally, a hot toddy is a warm drink made with whiskey, lemon, and cinnamon, taken to relieve a cold or flu. This version features tulsi, also known as holy basil, as well as immune-boosting spices.
Makes 8 servings • Prep time 10 minutes
- 8 cups boiling water
- 8 bags tulsi (holy basil) tea, or 1/3 cup loose dried tulsi
- 4 thin (about 1/8 in.) slices fresh ginger
- 12 cardamom pods
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 3 whole star-anise pods
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- Honey, to taste
Mulled Cider With Hibiscus
This warm beverage features health-boosting aromatic ingredients, including allspice, cinnamon, cloves, and orange peel. Hibiscus adds vitamin C.
Makes 8 servings • Prep time 5 minutes • Cook time 20 minutes or more
- 2 qts. apple cider
- 4 to 6 bags hibiscus tea
- 2 tbs. mulling-spice blend (buy or make your own; recipe below)
- 8 orange slices or ¾ cup cranberries for garnish
Mulling-Spice Blend
- 4 tbs. cardamom pods
- 2 cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces
- 2 tbs. whole cloves
- 4 tbs. whole allspice berries
- 2 tbs. dried orange peel, diced
- 2 tbs. candied ginger, diced
Faux Irish Cream
This dairy-free version of a holiday favorite is sweetened with maple syrup instead of sugar. If you are avoiding caffeine, substitute chicory or roasted-dandelion-root brew for the espresso.
Makes 6 servings • Prep time 5 minutes
- 1 13.5-oz. can full-fat coconut milk
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tbs. vanilla extract (use vanilla-bean paste if you are avoiding alcohol)
- 1 shot espresso (about 2 oz.)
Spiced Nog
This nog relies on flavorful dates for its sweetness. For the smoothest version, soak fresh or dried dates in the nondairy milk overnight in the refrigerator.
Makes 6 servings • Prep time10 minutes, plus overnight to soak dates
- 8 fresh dates, pitted
- 4 cups nondairy milk, such as hempseed, almond, or cashew
- ½ tsp. vanilla-bean paste or vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp. ground cloves
- ¼ tsp. freshly ground nutmeg, plus more to top each drink
- Pinch sea salt
Dirty Chai With Maca
A dirty chai is a chai latte with a shot of espresso added. If you love the intense flavor but would rather not feel so caffeinated, try this alternative. Chai spices, including cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, ginger, and cloves, benefit the immune and digestive systems, and can help regulate blood sugar. And maca — a cruciferous root native to Peru — adds sweetness and viscosity. Maca is also known for its mood- and energy-boosting properties, so you’ll feel great without all the caffeine. Look for maca in powdered form at health-food stores or online.
Makes 2 servings • Prep time 5 minutes • Cook time 5 minutes
- 1 cup water
- 2 bags chai tea blend (if you are avoiding caffeine altogether, choose a blend made with rooibos or tulsi, also known as holy basil, or make your own with this DIY chai recipe)
- 2 tbs. maca powder
- 1 tbs. maple syrup
- 1 cup whole milk or nondairy milk
- Orange peel or freshly ground cardamom for garnish
Maca Mint Cocoa
Curling up by the fire with a cozy cup of cocoa is good for the soul. The cacao bean (from which cocoa is made) has earned its heart-healthy reputation thanks to high antioxidant levels, while aromatic mint is known for benefiting digestion, mood, and alertness. Maca helps smooth out cacao’s bitter edge while adding even more antioxidants.
Makes 2 servings • Prep time 5 minutes • Cook time 5 minutes
- 1 cup water
- 3 tbs. cocoa or cacao powder
- 2 tbs. maca powder
- 1 cup whole milk or nondairy milk
- 1 to 2 tbs. organic cane sugar or coconut palm sugar
- Pinch sea salt
- ¼ to ½ tsp. mint extract (look for a glycerine- or oil-based extract if you are avoiding alcohol)