Don’t let the name fool you; anyone can enjoy beverages from “Baby Proof: Mocktails for the Mom-to-Be,” by Nicole Nared-Washington, the blogger behind Brown Sugar Mama. This book contains 50 mocktails that are great for entertaining guests, relaxing on a Sunday afternoon, or satisfying a pesky craving – all with the idea of pleasing moms-to-be.
It encourages the use of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs while being mindful of the effects they may have on a pregnancy. It even promotes juicing. The planning checklists add a nice touch to each section, which corresponds to a specific trimester. The From the Garden (The First Trimester) presents beverages to support health and wellness as the body starts to change. The Booze-Free Classics (The Second Trimester) segment showcases familiar libations such as the Virgin Amaretto Sour, Orange Mimosa and Lemon Drop Martini with Basil. The Something Sweet (The Third Trimester) portion features a variety of sugary desserts that visually excite the palate. Nicole included them as a nice treat for pregnant women. “I wanted to create a collection of mocktail-type desserts that women can enjoy,” she explains. All the drink recipes consist of a few ingredients and easy-to-read instructions, making the creation process quick and simple.
For those who want to entertain co-ed guests, Washington recommends serving ladies the Cosmopolitan, “Baby Momma on the Beach”, strawberry daiquiri, “Mommy Tai”, and the frozen margarita. For men, she suggests the Virgin Tom Collins and the Red Hot Bomb. Most recipes include garnish ideas, which she explains, “are important for entertaining purposes. If you are serving these drinks to please a crowd, it would be awesome to have a nice garnish around your drinks to make them look festive and pretty!”
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I made the cosmopolitan for a treat to share with my husband. I doubled the recipe to make two servings, and it came out perfectly. We both loved the refreshing mocktail that resembled the real thing and highly recommended it for everyone. I was mad I hadn't tried this without alcohol before. Planning to serve it at an upcoming mocktail party, I asked Washington if I could make the drinks ahead of time. And if so, what was the best way to store the drinks and for how long? Her response, “There are some recipes that you can make ahead of time and will taste great! There are some that may have a shorter shelf life than others, simply because of the freshness of the pressed juice. Drinks that require freshly pressed juice should be stored for a maximum of 2-3 days. Beverages that are made with purees and other juices can be saved for 3-4 days in an airtight container. Be sure to shake them well before sharing.”
“Baby Proof: Mocktails for the Mom-to-Be” is a delightful read for expectant mothers and those looking for non-alcoholic options. It makes a great gift and recipients will appreciate the ease of preparing non-alcoholic cocktails they can enjoy anytime. Sacrificing taste or being excluded from the fun at soirees is no longer on the menu. This is true for other non-drinkers as well. Get your copy on Amazon.
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