5 quick & delicious zero-waste holiday cocktails (and mocktails!)

Who doesn’t love sipping on a guilt-free cocktail over the holidays? 

You don’t need the bartending expertise to make the 5 tasty drinks listed below. These easy recipes are low-waste, vegan and sustainable alternatives to your traditional holiday cocktails, saving you a few extra coins while reducing your ecological footprint. 

Psst. Here’s the best part: the beverages are just as delicious if you make them alcohol-free! 

1. Holiday zero-waste eggnog 

Ingredients

• 1½ shots of rum (optional)
• 2 shots of eggnog (or vegan eggnog for a more low-waste option) 
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Cinnamon sticks

Instructions

1. Measure 1½ shots of rum and 2 shots of eggnog, pour into a liquor shaker 
2. Add a pinch of the ground cinnamon and nutmeg into the shaker 
3. Shake the drink for a few seconds and add ice cubes, then shake it again for another few seconds 
4. Pour over ice into a cocktail glass 
5. Garnish with a few cinnamon sticks, then sprinkle some warm spices to your liking

Cheers!  

2. Prepare homemade cordial from citrus for various drink combinations

Ingredients

• 2 cups of citrus cut-offs (orange, grapefruit, limes, etc.) 
• 2 cups of water
• 1½ cups of sugar 
• ¾ teaspoon of citric acid (or lemon juice) 

Instructions 

1. Mix the citrus wedges and water in a bowl
2. Slowly add the sugar, tasting as you go to ensure the right level of sweetness 
3. Refrigerate for 24 hours 
4. Strain into a container and add the citric acid

Congratulations! You’ve made your own cordial syrup. 

3. Concoct a fancy beverage with avocado pits to make orgeat syrup 

Ingredients

• 2-3 avocado pits 
• 1⅔ cups of sugar
• 1⅔ cups of water

Instructions 

1. Dry your avocado pits at room temperature overnight or under heat 
2. Place them in a blender or use a microplane grater to crush them into a grated texture
3. Toast the pits dry on a frying pan over medium heat, tossing them occasionally until they turn an orange-brown colour 
4. Add the toasted pits into the water and sugar, then leave to brew overnight 
5. Blend the mixture to form a thick syrup consistency

That’s your avocado-based orgeat syrup! 

4. Combine the orgeat syrup with cordial for a low-waste Mai Tai  

Ingredients

• 1½ shots of fruit-flavoured rum (optional) 
• 1 shot of avocado orgeat 
• 1 shot of chopping board lime cordial 

Instructions

1. Combine 1½ shots of rum with the shots of orgeat syrup and lime cordial in a liquor shaker, shake well for a few seconds 
2. Pour over ice in a martini glass and serve with a fruit wedge such as pineapple, mango, coconut, or any other exotic fruit you’ve got leftover

And enjoy! 

5. Use your leftover cucumber and mint to make a gin sizzle

Ingredients 

• 1½ shots of cucumber mint gin (optional)
• 1 shot of chopping board lime cordial
• Sparkling water 

Instructions 

1. Combine 1½ shots of gin and the shot of cordial syrup in a liquor shaker with ice and shake well for a few seconds 
2. Add a few ice cubes to your cocktail glass, then pour the liquor from the shaker
3. Fill the rest of the glass with soda water
4. Garnish with a wedge of cucumber and sprig of mint 

Salud! 

Top tips

#1: Avoid using plastic straws with your cocktails or mocktails! Invest in reusable ones or get rid of them altogether. 

#2: Keep your beverages looking pretty and presentable by using your leftover fruits and veggies to garnish the edge of the glasses.

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