Sober Cocktails from the Sanford Kitchen

Sober friends and recovery holidaymakers, we are in the heart of the 2020 festivities. Anybody else getting a little club soda logged? Even in the parred down events of this year, you might want to toast your favorite bubble-mate, the coming of a vaccine or 2021. There is something unnerving about a proffered champagne tray, especially when you are new to recovery and empty-handed. So, this holiday season we say, “Bring Your Own (BYO).” Or if you’re mixing drinks at home, get creative with your sober cocktails. There is more to life than diet soda!

 

Sober Cocktails and Sanford Specialties…

Sanford has cooked up some delicious alcohol-free cocktails for you. We guarantee they will make you feel as special as you are! And we’ve added a cleanse, from The Sober Kitchen author, Liz Scott’s, Zero-Proof Cocktails to try when the holiday madness is over!

 

Cheers to You!

 

Sanford Sober Cocktails

sober cocktails tropical  

The Islander (without the rum to make you numb)

½ cup mango

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Add ½ cup pineapple

And ÂĽ cup ice

ÂĽ cup of coconut juice

2 teaspoons agave nectar

Combine all ingredients in blender and puree until smooth. Garnish with a pineapple slice.

 

sober cocktails lemonaide

 

The Sparkler (all is bright – including your memory of last night)

1 cup of mixed berries

2 – 3 tablespoons agave nectar

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1 cup of sparkling water

Combine all ingredients in blender and add a splash of sparkling water to bubble it up!

 

The Stand-By (you’re not a wallflower – you’re filled with sober power!)

Fill your glass Âľ with Club Soda over crushed ice

Add a splash of Italian Volcano Organic Lemon Juice

Garnish with lemons and limes.

Enjoy!

hot lemonaide

 

Warm Winter Lemonade (cozy by the fire – no wine desired)

Fill mug with hot steeping hot water (or microwave it)

Slice whole fresh lemon, skewering 3 lemon slices with cinnamon stick

Stir agave nectar or honey into hot water

Drop the cinnamon stick and lemon into tea cup and let it steep!

(There is so much flavor, this can be re-enjoyed throughout the day by pouring hot water over the lemon skewer. Or use some orange slices on their own or with the lemon.)

 

Liz Scott’s “herbal cleanse infusion” apres holiday!

From Zero-Proof Cocktails

1 liter bottle purified water

6 thin slices unpeeled cucumber

½ lemon, thinly sliced and seeded (2-inch) sprigs of mint

1 sprig basil

Splash of grenadine

2 lemon slices, for garnish

Pour the water into a large pitcher and add the cucumber, lemon, and herbs. Chill for at least 2 hours. Strain. Pour into glasses, add a splash of grenadine, and serve garnished with the lemon slices.

 

Have a joy filled holiday season!

No matter what you do this holiday season, relish the fact you are clear-headed. And even if you don’t have the fancy ingredients for a full-fledged sober cocktail, treat yourself. Put your soda/gassy water in a special glass or toss in a few maraschino cherries or a sprig of fresh mint. Light a fire or a candle, count your blessings, and sip on something that makes you feel special. You deserve it.

 

 

Sanford Behavioral Health is licensed and accredited as an addiction, eating disorder, and co-occurring mental health treatment facility, serving all of Michigan and beyond. Each of Sanford’s facilities in Greater Grand Rapids is carefully and diligently crafted to create a welcoming and comforting environment. Sanford is led by a psychiatrist-led team of medical, clinical, and support personnel providing medication-assisted, evidenced-based treatment to residential, outpatient, and telehealth patients. For more information, visit www.sanfordbehavioralhealth.com.