Recipe: Apple Cider Sparkler

One of the biggest questions people have is how they can still eat tasty foods and also stay on track with their nutrition goals. To cut back on or eliminate alcohol, you can modify cocktails by swapping out wine or champagne with carbonated water and fresh fruits. If you are going to enjoy a glass of alcohol, it is better to drink it with your meal—instead of before you start eating—to avoid going overboard.

Apple cider sparkler.

Apple Cider Sparkler

Servings: 6-8

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of apple cider
  • 3 cups of carbonated water
  • 1 cup of orange juice
  • 2 cups of apples chopped
  • 1 orange chopped
  • ¼ to 1/2 cups pomegranate seeds
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • Tbsp fresh grated ginger

Instructions:

Chop fruit, extract pomegranate seeds (if using) and place in the bottom of a pitcher. Add the cider, juice, cinnamon sticks, cinnamon, and grated ginger. Stir to combine. Cover, place in the refrigerator, and allow the flavors to meld together for 1 to 2 hours at least. Before serving, add the carbonated water and stir again. To serve, scoop out some of the fruit and place in each glass over ice. Poor the sparkler on top, garnish with a cinnamon stick (optional), and enjoy.

This content was adapted from Zakim’s Kitchen: Healthier Spins on Holiday Favorites, an event by the Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies and Healthy Living at Dana-Farber. The event was also sponsored by the Friends of Dana-Farber.

Get more nutrition tips and information from Nutrition Services at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center.