Festive Drinks Guide

The holiday season often brings with it plenty of festive drinks, from sparkling prosecco to

cosy cocktails. While enjoying a tipple is very much part of the celebrations, it’s helpful to

stay aware of how alcohol can influence your health and overall wellbeing.

Alcohol, especially when enjoyed a little too freely, can have several effects on the body:

• It can unsettle your blood sugar.

Alcohol may cause your blood sugar to drop by interrupting the liver’s ability to release

stored glucose. This can leave you feeling shaky, tired, or unusually hungry later on.

• It can increase your appetite and lower your inhibitions.

This combination often leads to overindulging in high-calorie or sugary festive treats, which

can create further swings in blood sugar and energy levels.

• It can disrupt your sleep.

Even a small amount of alcohol can affect the quality of your rest, leaving you feeling less

refreshed the next day.

• It places extra strain on the liver.

Your liver works hard to process alcohol, slowing down other vital functions such as

hormone balance and digestion.

• It can add to inflammation in the body.

This may leave you feeling bloated, sluggish, or simply not at your best.

Festive Non-Alcoholic Alternatives

If you’d like to cut back without feeling you’re missing out, there are plenty of delicious

alcohol-free options to enjoy:

• Sparkling water with fresh citrus and mint

• Spiced herbal teas (cinnamon, orange, clove)

• Alcohol-free fizz or 0% wines

• Kombucha served in a champagne flute

• Warm apple cider with festive spices

And here are two simple, restorative mocktail recipes perfect for the season:

Cranberry Sparkle Mocktail

A light, refreshing drink that feels wonderfully festive.

Ingredients:

● 60ml cranberry juice (no added sugar if possible)

● ½ lime, freshly squeezed

● Sparkling water

● A few fresh cranberries or a sprig of rosemary to garnish

Method:

Fill a glass with ice, add the cranberry juice and lime, top with sparkling water, and finish with

your garnish. Crisp, colourful and beautifully seasonal.

Spiced Orange & Ginger Cooler

A warming but refreshing option with a gentle zing.

Ingredients:

● 100ml fresh orange juice

● 50ml ginger ale or ginger kombucha

● 1 cinnamon stick

● Orange slice to garnish

Method:

Pour the orange juice over ice, add the ginger ale, and stir gently with the cinnamon stick.

Garnish with an orange slice for a cosy, Christmas glow in a glass.