Dairy-Free Holiday Drinks

Veggnog (Vegan Eggnog)

Ingredients
for 6 servings

1 cup cashew
1 can lite coconut milk
¼ cup maple syrup
¼ cup water, add more as needed for desired consistency
3 pitted dates
¼ teaspoon allspice
2 vanilla bean pods, seeds scraped
fresh nutmeg, to taste
spiced rum, or bourbon, to taste, optional
cinnamon stick, to serve

Preparation

1. Soak cashews in water for 30 minutes. Rinse, then drain in a colander.
2. Add cashews, coconut milk, maple syrup, water, dates, allspice, vanilla bean seeds, nutmeg, and rum (optional) to a blender. Blend until completely smooth.
3. Refrigerate the mixture until ready to enjoy. Refrigeration will thicken the veggnog. Add more water and blend again for a thinner consistency.
4. Serve chilled with nutmeg, and cinnamon stick. Enjoy!

Homemade Apple Cider 

Ingredients

for 6 servings

4 granny smith apples, sliced
4 red delicious apples, sliced
1 orange, sliced
1 ½ tablespoons whole allspice
1 ½ tablespoons whole clove
3 cinnamon sticks
8 cups water

Preparation

1. Place fruit and spices into a slow cooker.
2. Add 8 cups of water.
3. Cook on high heat for 3-4 hours.
4. Uncover the slow cooker, and mash the softened fruit with a potato masher.
5. Cover again and cook on low for 1-2 hours.
6. Strain out fruit and spices from the slow cooker into a cheesecloth in a bowl.
7. Wait about 20-30 minutes for the cheesecloth to cool. Squeeze out cider from cheesecloth into the bowl.
8. Pour the cider back into the slow cooker.
9. Serve warm.
10. Enjoy!

Creamy Hot Cocoa

Ingredients
for 4 servings

1 cup dark chocolate chip
2 tablespoons maple syrup
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
1 cup sweet potato puree
2 ½ cups almond milk

Preparation

1. Add dark chocolate, maple syrup, vanilla extract, salt, sweet potato puree and almond milk to a medium saucepan over medium low heat. Whisk to combine and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally to incorporate chocolate.
2. Once mixture is smooth and heated through, remove from heat.
3. Serve warm.
4. Enjoy!