3 Clean, Dairy-Free Recipes for Your Fave Holiday Drinks

When I first started thinking about crafting these clean holiday drink recipes the phrase “guilt-free” first came to mind. It’s funny, how we vilify certain foods or food groups (sugar, carbs, fat) when the truth is, if we simply take everything in moderation, we’d all be far happier and healthier.

The phrase “guilt-free” just amplifies the idea that some foods are “bad” and others are “good”. Well I don’t believe that to be true. Food is food. Some options are healthier than others, but there’s nothing inherently good or bad about anything. So please, if you’ve been waiting all year for your favorite eggnog - go for it. You have my permission to enjoy a guilt-free, full of fat eggnog. Enjoy the heck out of it! And then, swap to a version that’s a little healthier that you can feel equally as good about drinking.

Healthier Hot Cocoa

Serves 2

Ingredients
1½ cups coconut milk, full fat
1 ounce unsweetened dark chocolate
2 teaspoons coconut oil
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Sprinkle of ground cinnamon
Sweetener to taste (a couple tbsp of honey is great)

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, heat the coconut milk until it starts to bubble over medium heat.

2. Stir all other ingredients and mix to combine. Stir frequently over medium heat for about 5 minutes until thick and smooth.

Vegan Eggnog

Serves 2

Ingredients
2 cups non-dairy milk of choice (I love homemade hazelnut milk)
½ cup coconut milk, full fat
⅓ cup raw cashews, soaked overnight or for at least 30 minutes (optional)
4 pitted dates
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
Pinch of ground cinnamon
Pinch of ground cloves
Pinch of Himalayan sea salt

Instructions

1. Add all of the ingredients to a high speed blender and blend until creamy. Serve immediately.

2. For an adult version, add spiced rum, bourbon, brandy, or whiskey.

Ginger Cider Hot Toddy

Serves 2

Ingredients
4 cups apple cider
2 bags of herbal tea
2 tbsp raw honey
1 inch knob of fresh ginger, minced
2 slices of fresh lemon
2 cinnamon sticks
2 shots of brandy whiskey, rum, or bourbon (optional)

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, warm cider.

2. Steep tea bags in cider for 3-5 minutes.

3. Stir in honey and ginger.

4. Pour into 2 mugs and give it another stir with the cinnamon sticks.

5. Add shot of desired spirits (optional).

6. Top with a slice of lemon in each mug.