Gut Health Mocktails & Appetizers for New Year’s

With all the holiday parties in full swing and New Year’s around the corner, we are in appetizer party mode! And, when there’s an appetizer party, I’m thinking cocktails and mocktails! Mocktails are all the craze right now—they are non-alcoholic cocktail-style drinks. They are great for those who don’t drink, pregnant mamas, designated drivers, and even kids to sip and enjoy on a social evening.

If you have followed me long enough, then you know how much I love fermented foods and beverages including kombucha! Kombucha is a powerful probiotic drink that helps to replenish your good gut bacteria, boost your immunity, improve digestion, and detox the body (just to name a few). I’ve been experimenting with kombucha and making all kinds of gut health mocktails and probiotic cocktails. Here are a few of my favorites that showcase each of our kombucha vendors. Enjoy!

 

Kombucha Mule

Let me tell you, when the Moscow mule trend started a few years back we jumped in feet first! We even have two sets of copper mugs because, you know, one isn’t enough! To this day, it is still one of our favorite cocktails, and because of that, I definitely wanted to make a kombucha mocktail version. We have so many great ginger kombuchas and they all work well in this drink, but this one showcases Presto’s Ginger Kombucha.

 

How to Make This Mocktail Ingredients: 4 ounces Presto Ginger Kombucha (IN) ½ ounce lime juice squeezed from fresh limes Lime slices 3 mint leaves Crushed ice 1 copper mug   Preparation: Pour ginger kombucha and lime juice into a copper mug filled with crushed ice. Stir and garnish with mint leaves and a slice of lime. Probiotic Cocktail: Add 1-1 ½ ounces vodka

 

Mojito Mambo Mocktail

I’m a big, big fan of mint, and a mojito is a cocktail that’s for mint lovers! Naturally, when I tried Skinny Piggy’s Mojito Mambo, I was in love. It’s a kombucha that is flavored with spearmint and lemongrass. It’s a little sweet and bubbly which is basically all the ingredients in a mojito—you just need to add lime. Here is a Mojito Kombucha Cocktail that any mint lover will enjoy!

 

How to Make This Mocktail Ingredients: 4 ounces Skinny Piggy Mojito Mambo Kombucha (OH) 3 thick slices of lime 6 mint leaves A splash of Lime LaCroix Crushed ice 10.5-ounce mojito glass   Preparation: In a shaker tin or pint glass, muddle lime slices and mint. Pour kombucha and LaCroix over the top, shake or stir then pour over ice in a mojito glass. Garnish with lime slices and mint sprig. Probiotic Cocktail: Add 1-1 ½ ounces white rum

 

Mimosa Mocktail

Mimosa’s are a special weekend brunch treat that are one part champagne and one part chilled citrus juice. The classic mimosa is usually made with orange juice, but I’ve had mimosas with grapefruit, pineapple, and even pomegranate juice. I made this Mimosa Mocktail with GT’s Trilogy Kombucha which is a mix of tart lemon, tangy raspberry, and spicy ginger. It pairs well with orange juice, or even better, freshly squeezed orange juice. Drop a couple pomegranate seeds in the bottom and you have an elegant mocktail.

 

How to Make This Mocktail Ingredients: 2 ½ ounces GT’s Trilogy Kombucha 2 ½ ounces orange juice Pomegranate seeds Champagne flute   Preparation: Pour the kombucha and orange juice into a champagne flute then drop a few pomegranate seeds in the bottom. Probiotic Cocktail: Add 2 ½ ounces of champagne instead of orange juice

 

Pineapple-Coconut Kombucha Island Mocktail

If you are looking for a mental vacation to the islands, pour yourself one of these mocktails and away you go! The pineapple juice and coconut water bring all the island vibes to this drink. Naturally, it’s a great drink for the summer, but you can mix up a big batch and pour them into martini glasses for a fancy mocktail to enjoy at a New Year’s celebration.

 

How to Make This Mocktail Ingredients: 2 ounces Circle City Ginger Lemon Kombucha (IN) 2 ounces pineapple juice 2 ounces coconut water Crushed ice 8-ounce cocktail glass   Preparation: Pour kombucha, pineapple juice, and coconut water in glass with crushed ice. Stir and garnish with a mini-skewer of pineapple chunks and slices of ginger. Probiotic Cocktail: Add 1-1 ½ ounces white rum

 

Creamy Spinach-Stuffed Mushrooms

You can’t have mocktails or cocktails without appetizers! And, New Year’s Eve is a celebration that embraces the appetizer party. Here are a couple of my favorite appetizers that I like to take to New Year’s celebrations.

I absolutely love stuffed mushrooms, especially at an appetizer party! They are easy to make and easy to eat. I found these on Tasty’s website, made them for a party, and they were a hit! They have a nice creamy filling from the cream cheese and a crunchy topping from a bread crumb and Parmesan cheese mixture that is sprinkled on top. They are great for office parties (you can prep everything the night before) and for New Year’s celebrations!

View Full Recipe

 

 

Sweet & Crunchy Pecans

There is nothing I love more than pecans encrusted with a sweet and crunchy topping! I love to make these sweet and crunchy pecans as an appetizer for a party or as a snack to have sitting in a decorative bowl at home. My kids love them, and they are always a hit when taken to a party. I’m giving you a warning now—it is hard to stop eating these once you start.

View Full Recipe

 

 

---

Beth Blessing (Organic Beth) has a Masters in Nutrition and is the co-founder of Green Bean Delivery. She is a mother of three that loves supporting family farms and searching for unique, artisanal products. Her goal is to help others eat better and live a more natural, holistic life through healthy recipes and practical tips. Follow her on Facebook: @OrganicBeth