Spiced Orange Mocktail is the perfect complement to Spooky Season! It's lightly sweet and spiced with complimentary flavors of cinnamon and ginger. It leaves just a little tingle in the back of your throat! Deliciously alluring and with far less sugar than most punch.
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This Halloween themed mocktail is made for parties!
We use a combination of orange juice and carrot juice to achieve that amazing color, and then cut in a little cinnamon and ginger spiced maple sweetness to round out the flavor. And who can resist that bright orange hue?!
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Heart Health Benefits of Spiced Orange Mocktail
Spiced Orange Mocktail is low in calories, fat, and low in added sugar. We use only a bit of maple syrup for sweetness, and rely on the natural sweetness of the juices otherwise. It is also an excellent source of vitamins A and C!
While it is important to limit fruit juice, this is an overall good option for parties!
Macronutrients
As you would expect based on the ingredients, this Halloween mocktail is fat free, saturated fat free, and low in added sugars.
You might also expect it to be low in fiber, which it is, and that's the main reason for limiting the amount of fruit juice we consume. Without that fiber, the sugar (naturally occurring sugar) acts similarly to added refined sugar in the body, which can contribute to heart disease (1).
We do use a bit of maple syrup for some added sweetness. While it's important to consume all sweeteners in moderation, some research indicates that replacing refined sugars with pure maple syrup may help with some key indicators of heart health, including mild weight reduction and slight blood pressure reductions (2). Note: we're talking about 100% pure maple syrup here; not maple flavored syrups like Log Cabin brand, Mrs. Butterworth's, or Pearl Milling brand (formerly Aunt Jemima).
Micronutrients, Phytonutrients, and Antioxidants
Thanks to our use of both carrot and orange juice, our mocktail is an excellent source of vitamin A and vitamin C. A great intro for your body into cold and flu season.
Not only good for your immune system, drinking carrot juice can significantly increase the amount of circulating antioxidants in the body, as well as decreasing lipid peroxidation (degradation of lipids into potentially harmful products) (3).
These are some important phytonutrients and antioxidants in this recipe:
- Hesperidin - (in orange juice) citrus flavonoid that may help reduce blood pressure and improve vascular function (4, 5);
- β- and α-carotene - (in carrot juice) as mentioned above, these carotenoids can help improve cardiovascular risk factors and increase circulating antioxidants (3, 6). Food is far more effective than supplements here;
- Cinnamaldehyde - (in cinnamon) flavonoid that gives cinnamon its color and flavor. Cinnamon can help lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol, and raise HDL cholesterol (7); and
- Gingerols and shogaols - (in ginger) antioxidant and anti inflammatory compounds that may contribute to ginger's ability to improve triglycerides, LDL, blood pressure, and blood sugar (8, 9).
Note that ginger may interact with anticoagulant medications. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor.
Ingredients
We start with a mix of 100% juices, for a unique and delicious flavor. Cinnamon and ginger are perfect additions to a Halloween beverage, and we top it with some sparkling water for a fun and healthy punch for Fall festivities.
- 100% Orange juice (no pulp)
- 100% Carrot juice
- Water
- 100% Pure maple syrup
- Cinnamon stick
- Ginger root
- Lemon
- Seltzer water
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Making the spiced maple syrup can be done up to a few days ahead so this punch can be a throw together right before the party!
- Step 1: Combine water, maple syrup, ginger, and cinnamon stick in a small saucepan.
- Step 2: Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and bring to room temperature.
- Step 3: Remove the cinnamon stick and ginger from the spiced syrup.
- Step 4: In a punch bowl, combine the orange juice and carrot juice.
- Step 5: Add the lemon juice.
- Step 6: Pour in the spiced syrup.
- Step 5: Add the seltzer water.
- Step 6: Stir and serve cold, with ice.
Hint: make sure you get no pulp orange juice for this one!
Substitutions
A few substitutions that may work for you!
- Seltzer water - diet gingerale or ginger beer will work here, just be mindful of the sugar content of non diet options. Omit the ginger if you use one of these options
- Carrot juice - V8 Splash would work; choose an orange colored option, like mango peach
- Spices - omit them, or use one or the other, or double them! This is a forgiving recipe!
Equipment
This simple punch recipe requires basic equipment.
First, make sure you have a punch bowl with a ladle, or a pitcher or another vessel you will serve the Spiced Orange Mocktail from.
Now you'll only need some measuring cups and spoons, a small saucepan, cutting board and a knife. Love that.
Storage
This mocktail is really best consumed within a few hours of making it because the carbonation will dissipate over time. It can, however, be kept in the refrigerator safely for up to 7 days, unless you are using fresh carrot juice. If that's the case, it should be consumed within 3 days.
Healthy heart pro tip
Despite having minimal added sugar, the fruit juice itself contributes a substantial about of sugar. This is naturally occurring sugar, but without the rest of whole fruit or vegetable, this sugar acts just like added sugar in your body. Keep your servings to one or two and look for other whole fruit and veggie options at the party!
FAQ
If you prefer an adult only punch, you can add some vodka, gin, or even peach schnapps to the bowl.
Yes, but the color won't be as vibrant. I'd recommend substituting it with an orange colored V8 Splash variety, or peach or mango nectar.
Related
Looking for more healthy Halloween content? Here you go:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Spiced Orange Mocktail:
📖 Recipe
Spiced Orange Mocktail
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup Water
- 2 tablespoon 100% Pure Maple Syrup
- 1 Cinnamon Stick
- 2 inch piece Fresh Ginger Root chopped
- 1 ½ cups 100% Orange Juice no pulp
- 1 cup 100% Carrot Juice
- ½ Lemon juiced
- 2 cups Seltzer Water
Instructions
- In a small sauce pan, combine the water, maple syrup, ginger root and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Transfer it to a mug and pop it in the refrigerator for faster cooling.
- Combine the orange juice, carrot juice, and lemon juice in a large bowl.
- Remove the cinnamon stick and ginger from the maple sweetener, and pour it into the punch.
- Pour in the seltzer and stir just before serving. The carbonation will dissipate over time, so do this as close to serving time as possible.
- Serve cold over ice.
Notes
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is an estimate, and will change based on the brand and individual ingredients and amounts you use. This is provided for your convenience only.
Food safety
Safety is our top priority in the kitchen! Always keep these tips in mind.
- Wash hands before before beginning, and after touching your hair, face, pets, etc.
- When opening a pot on the stove, open the lid away from you to avoid scalding burns to the face
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
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