Maternity Monday - Enjoy a Mommy Mocktail

There are 2 great reasons to mix up a mommy mocktail, besides that they're yummy non-alcoholic drinks - not to mention great for kids parties too!

During the first few months when you're still trying to "hide" the fact that your pregnant, you're bound to be put into a situation where you would normally have a cocktail...girls' night out, holiday party, working dinner...but now you can't. For many, including myself, this was the big tip-off that hmmm, something is going on here. So, ya gotta fake it! Go for a mocktail! Here are a couple tips.
- my favorite drink was tonic (or sprite) with a splash of cranberry & a lime. looks just like a cranberry & vodka.
- ask the bartender to put ginger ale in the same style glass they would serve beer...without ice.
- have a glass of "white wine" or tonic in a wine glass.

Once everyone knows your pregnant, I got very tired drinking water while my friends were enjoying a cocktail...it seemed very boring to me. This is when trying one of the many mocktail recipes out there are both fun & yummy! Check out this great book, "Preggatinis, Mixology for the Mom-To-Be" by Natalie Bovis-Nelsen. The book goes far beyond a virgin daiquiri, its full of nonalcoholic versions of real drinks, such as the Cosmom (with orange juice and orange syrup instead of vodka and triple sec to mix with the cranberry juice). She also suggests how to "De-Virginize for Dad," adding back the gin, vodka or tequila to certain drinks.

Here's a refreshing summer mommy mocktail to try, the POM Julep (the yummy drink shown above)

Ingredients:

1 ounce POM Pomegranate Juice

1-1/2 ounce grapefruit juice

1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice

1/2 ounce simple syrup (mix equal parts hot water and sugar; stir to dissolve, cool)

2 mint sprigs

How to mix it:

1. Bruise 1 mint sprig in bar mixing glass with honey syrup.

2. Add remaining ingredients and shake over ice.

3. Strain over ice into a chilled rocks glass.

4. Garnish with the remaining mint.