Whether you're cozying up by the fire or celebrating with loved ones, these festive sips are sure to bring joy to every occasion. Get ready to savor the flavor of the holidays with three delicious drink recipes from Blue Zones*.
Warm and spicy red wine wassail
This red wine twist on a classic wassail drink, rooted in Medieval tradition, is perfect for the season. Warm and spiced, it will fill your home with the cozy scent of the holidays.
Ingredients
- Five to six whole cloves
- 3 cups fresh apple cider
- 2 cups orange juice
- 6 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Four cinnamon sticks
- 6 cups dry red wine
- Orange, apple and lemon slices (optional garnish)
- Cinnamon sticks (optional garnish)
Preparation
- In a large pot, combine all ingredients except for the wine and orange slices and bring to boil.
- Immediately reduce the heat and simmer gently for 30 minutes.
- Strain in mesh strainer and return to the pot.
- Stir in the wine.
- Keep warm until ready to serve and garnish with cinnamon sticks and orange, apple and lemon slices.
View the original recipe on the Blue Zones site.
Cranberry rosemary pomegranate sparkler
Bright, bubbly and bursting with festive flavors, this drink is perfect for adding cheer and a little holiday sparkle to any celebration.
Ingredients
- 1 cup ice
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup unsweetened cranberry juice
- 2 cups carbonated water
- 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
Make the cranberry rosemary simple syrup:
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ cup fresh cranberries
Preparation
- Add all rosemary cranberry simple syrup ingredients to a small saucepan and simmer over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the simple syrup into a jar and let it cool.
- Add the ice to a glass, followed by the rosemary cranberry simple syrup, lemon juice and unsweetened cranberry juice.
- Top it off with the sparkling water and stir.
- Add the pomegranate seeds and a sprig of rosemary to garnish if you wish.
Yield: Two servings
View the original recipe on the Blue Zones site.
Holiday eggnog
Cozy up with a healthier twist on a holiday classic. This rich, spiced drink is perfect for family gatherings or quiet evenings by the fire.
Ingredients
- ½ cup cashews
- Four dates
- 1 ¼ cups water
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup canned coconut milk
Preparation
- Submerge and soak the raw cashews and dates in hot water for at least one hour or in cool water overnight.
- Drain the cashews and dates and rinse.
- Add all the ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until very smooth and creamy. Add more water if you like your eggnog a little less thick.
- Serve chilled or over ice.
- Top it off with another dash of nutmeg.
Note: If you’re making the eggnog for later, it will thicken up a bit in the fridge, so you may need to add a little more water to reach the desired consistency when you take it out.
Yield: Two servings
View the original recipe on the Blue Zones site.
*HonorHealth is steadfast in its commitment to go beyond the traditional expectations of a healthcare system. We are proud to be the presenting sponsor of Blue Zones Project Scottsdale, along with Cigna Healthcare and Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona.
The Blue Zones Project Scottsdale represents a multi-year collaborative effort with the City of Scottsdale that involves the entire community working together toward one common goal – to support and build a culture of community health and well-being.