Holiday Cocktails and "Mocktails"Can They Actually Be Good For You?

Holiday Cocktails and "Mocktails"--Can They Actually Be Good
For You?

Since we're well into the holiday season, cocktails or "mocktails" are
often a fundamental highlight menu item at many parties. Often they
are viewed as calorie deposit machines that just add to the list of
"must avoid" tempting delicacies. Surely, cocktails on their own
depending on what they are made of should be kept within limit due to
alcohol content, calorie content and safety. So the other option can
be "mocktails" or other types of lighter cocktails, and yes, some can
actually be good for you!

One way to make a great "mocktail" that can delight your taste buds
and kick up the health value is to make them with various fresh fruit,
frozen fruit, or 100% fruit juices. Inclusion of a variety of fruits boosts
the amount of antioxidants, (natural disease fighting chemicals in
foods) vitamins, minerals, and some fiber into that nutrient boasting
"mocktail!"

The advantage of this is that there are many antioxidants that have
been and are continuing to be researched, which have shown to be
heart healthy and possibly help lower LDL cholesterol. Several
classes of antioxidants such as polyphenols, and phytochemicals
such as flavonoids are present in several different fruit. They also are
good sources of Vitamin C and fiber.

As far as cocktails go, you can incorporate fruits and 100% fruit juices
as well. Since alcohol is an ingredient in cocktail, then opt for red
wine since it contains polyphenols and other flavenoids with
antioxidant properties. This doesn't mean you have to add red wine
and make it a cocktail just to get the antioxidant value, because many
other fruits and 100% grape juice also have flavenoid or antioxidant
properties as well, if you prefer to stick to a "mocktail."

So if your holiday party or get together has cocktail or "mocktails" on
the menu, then consider some of these ideas to get a finesse of
flavors and a plethora of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals as well!

To make these "mocktails," add the ingredients together into the
blender. Blend into a smooth consistency. Use 1 cup of the juice, ice,
and diet soda. For fresh or frozen fruit, generally 1/4 cup. If you want
to add red wine to make any of these into a cocktail, then add only 1-2
ounces per serving. Remember, if you add wine to a cocktail, it
means adding calories as well, so another good idea to keep
cocktails to a minimum.

Pomegranate/Strawberry "Mocktail"

Pomegranate juice, frozen strawberries, ice, diet gingerale or lemon
lime type soda

Health Value: anthocyanins, lycopene, Vit C and fiber. Vit C is also
helps fight infection and promotes wound healing. Fiber helps
digestive health.

Grape/Blueberry "Mocktail"

100% grape juice, frozen blueberries, ice, diet gingerale/ or lemon
lime type soda

Heart Value--proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, fiber.

Cranberry/Raspberry "Mocktail"

Cranberry Juice Cocktail, frozen raspberries, ice, diet gingerale or
lemon lime type soda

Health Value: anthocyanins, lycopenes, Vit C, fiber.

Orange/Pineapple "Mocktail"

100% orange juice, fresh pineapple (1/4 cup diced) or pineapple
juice, ice, diet lemon lime type soda

Health Value: flavenoids (hesperitin and naringenin), fiber, Vit C.

Orange/Mango "Mocktail"

100% orange juice, 1/4 fresh cubed mango, ice, diet lemon lime type
soda

Health Value: flavenoids (hesperitin and naringenin), fiber, Vit C.

Fruity Twist "Mocktail"

Cranberry Juice cocktail, 100% grape juice, 100% pomegranate
juice, frozen raspberries, frozen blueberries, (1/4 cup each) ice, diet
lemon lime type soda

Health Value: anthocyanins, polyphenols, proanthocyanidins,
lycopenes, Vit C, fiber.

By P. Mehta, RD/www.Healthfulfilling.com

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Updated 12/2009