4 mocktail recipes to help pregnant women through the party season

No alcohol? No worries. 

Just because alcohol is off limits during pregnancy that doesn't mean you can’t enjoy a refreshing, sweet and sophisticated drink of your own. 

Many mums-to-be find the most challenging social hurdle during pregnancy to be turning down that well earned glass of wine at the end of the day or avoiding meeting up with friends who are likely to have a drink or two. This can particularly be the case during the festive season as glasses of prosecco and mulled wine are passed around dinners and holiday celebrations.

However, fear not. We have shortlisted our 4 favourite mocktail recipes to tantalise your tastebuds and get you in the festive mood this season. Whether hosting a party or planning a romantic evening with your other half, be sure to give these refreshing mocktails a try! 

For further advice and tips on food and drink intake during pregnancy, head over to our dedicated pregnancy diet section.

Mulled mother-to-be
2L non-alcoholic grape juice 
2 cups water
1 cup sugar
2 dozen whole cloves
4 cinnamon sticks
1 orange, zest of
1 lemon, zest of
Crushed nutmeg (seed) 
2 ½ cups of either: hot lemon juice or hot lime juice 
First heat the water and add the cloves, cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg and zests.
Boil for 5 minutes, then turn down and leave to gently simmer for a further 5 minutes.
Strain this syrup into a large pot/pan, add citrus juice. Then heat until gently bubbling.
Add the grape juice and maintain a low heat, stir carefully to ensure well mixed.
Serves 8-12

Sensational Sangria 
2 cups of boiling water
2 cinnamon sticks
½ cup sugar
3 cups pomegranate juice 
2 black tea bags (decaf tea works fine too)
3 cups carbonated water
1 medium apple, de-cored and cut into roughly 1cm chunks 
1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice 
1 medium orange, 1 medium lime, 1 medium lemon - all thinly sliced 
Pour boiling water over the cinnamon sticks and tea bags, steep for 5 minutes.
Discard the tea bags and slowly stir in sugar to dissolve.
In a large pitcher, jug or jar combine the tea, cinnamon sticks pomegranate juice, orange juice, orange, lemon, lime and apple. 
Ideally refrigerate over night, however at least 1.5 hours is fine.
Just before serving, mix in the carbonated water. 
Serve in glasses, over ice. 
Serves 7-9

Virgin Mary
100ml tomato juice 
3 teaspoon lemon juice 
Dash of Worcestershire sauce 
Pinch of celery salt 
Sprinkle of ground pepper 
Splash of tobasco sauce 
Simply mix all ingredients together well, serve on ice with a celery stalk. 
(single serve) 
Mother-Rita 
330ml frozen lemonade (freeze in cube tray or container) 
150ml orange juice 
2 tablespoon sugar
Bunch of frozen strawberries 
Squeeze of fresh lime 
Red mix: Blend half the frozen lemonade, half the orange,  the strawberries and 1 tablespoon of sugar until smooth.
White mix: Blend the remaining lemonade, orange juice, and sugar until smooth. Freeze in a container for one hour.
Pour the red mix into a glass, filling half way. Add a scoop of white mix on top with a squeeze of lime. 
(serves 3) 

Innocent Mojito
Full glass of crushed ice
Half glass of lemonade
Quarter glass of apple juice 
1 teaspoon brown sugar 
8 sprigs of mint
One lime
Mash the brown sugar with 4 sprigs of mint (add a splash of apple juice as you mash)
Add the rest of the apple juice, the lemonade, rest of the mint and the juice of half the lime.
Add 2 lime wedges, stir well and enjoy through a straw .
(single serve)