10 perfect mocktails for any festive occasion!

by Melissa Jaramillo

10 perfect mocktails for the holiday season

The holidays usher in lots of choices, including the one to imbibe. The average mixed drink checks in at 300 calories for an 8-ounce glass.

Mocktails, especially those flavored with just a splash of juice and a club soda or fizz water base, cut the calorie count while still providing plenty of flavor.

Serve these non-alcoholic drinks to the entire family and offer as an alternative for party guests who prefer not to drink alcohol like moms-to-be.

1. Virgin mojito

Fill a large glass 1/3 full with crushed ice, then add eight mint leaves. Gently mash the leaves together using wooden pestle. Fill the glass with more ice, then add club soda. Garnish with mint or lime, and enjoy!

2. Piña ginger beer

If you're not sharing your pregnancy news yet but feeling a little nauseated, try this combination of tummy soothing ginger with an exotic dash of the tropics. Poor ginger ale over ice. Add a splash of pineapple juice. Dress up the glass with a slice of fresh fruit.

2. Seabreaze

Mix cranberry and grapefruit juice together. And a lime wedge and sweeten to taste with simple syrup.

3. Mommy mary

Almost fill a glass with ice cubes and tomato juice. Top off with juice from 1/2 lemon, two dashes of Worchestershire sauce and hot sauce, celery salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with pickled green bean, a celery stick or olives.

4. Not so dark 'n stormy

Mix a tease of molasses in ounces ounces coke. Add gingerale or a nonalcholic ginger beer. Garnish with fresh cranberries and a lime wedge.

5. Mimosa

Combine one sparking apple juice, one part club soda and two part orange juice. Stir well and garnish with mint leaves.

6. Shirley temple

Combine two parts ginger ale, one part orange juice, and a splash of grenadine. Garnished with a maraschino cherry. No grenadine? You can substitute marshino cherry juice.

7. White russian

Combine 1/2 ounce coffee flavored syrup in equal parts of club soda and cream or half and half. Pour over ice cubes and savor.

8. Cosmopolitian

Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour in two ounces of cranberry juice and a splash of lime juice. Top with club soda. Or fill a cocktail shaker with ice and shake juices until chilled, then pour into martini glass and top with club soda. Add a lime garnish.

9. Virgin daiquiri

In a blender, combine two cups pineapple chunks, two cups frozen strawberries, two tablespoon sugar, and the juice from two limes. Puree until smooth. Pour into glasses, garnish with fresh strawberries and serve immediately. Makes enough for the whole family!

10. Spicy cinnamon treat

Chill a wine goblet with ice. Add two ounces cranberry or raspberry juice and four ounces chilled apple cider. Stir to mix. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Which one will you try first?

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto.