3 crowd-pleaser mocktails for winter celebrations
From Monday Night Mocktails, by Jen Newens
I’m popping into your inbox with something a little different this week. It’s been a tumultuous January between below freezing temperatures and an anxiety-inducing news cycle, while I attempt to recover from back-to-back bugs, feeling frustratingly behind on the year. However, I still managed to squeeze in a lovely moms’ weekend in the Berkshires - a timely reminder that winter can still hold celebration. It doesn’t have to be a season of just powering through. It can be about connection, small joys, and finding little rituals that feel like care.
Separately, I know many of you in this community have been doing some version of Dry January. I’ve also heard “Damp January” in some circles, which to me feels like reasonable middle ground. Either way, I wanted to give you more inspiration to keep that streak going post January, or to simply have better options on hand for dinner parties and gatherings where not everyone is drinking.
So as a bonus for Weeknight Simple subscribers, I’m sharing a few mocktails from Monday Night Mocktails: 52 Drinks to Welcome the Week by Jen Newens, a senior literary manager by day with a a side hustle as an author, editor and cooking teacher.
Monday Night Mocktails features 52 seasonal recipes, one for every week of the year - inspired, easy-to-put-together non-alcoholic drinks that are as appealing as cocktails. I think it would make a beautiful gift for the sober-curious people in your life!
The recipes themselves are genuinely delicious, and the kind of crowd-pleasers that make you feel like you’re getting a “real drink” even without the alcohol. Consider this your little nudge to keep things festive, no matter the season.
In this lineup, you’ll find a nostalgic Party Punch that’s perfect for setting out in a big bowl and letting everyone help themselves, a savory-spicy Michelle-Ada (Jen’s twist on a Michelada with tomato juice, warming spices, hot sauce, and NA beer), and a cozy Winter Spiced Mulled Wine that tastes like instant warmth for a last-minute cold-weather hang.
Party Punch
Winter holiday season provides many opportunities to celebrate with friends and family, and one of my favorite retro offerings is to set out a punch bowl on the buffet for self-serve drinks.
Glass: Old fashioned or lowball; Garnish: Pomegranate arils and rosemary sprigs
