5 Healthy Holiday Drink Ideas: Clove Water, Collagen Hot Chocolate, Mocktails & More

The holidays are supposed to be joyful, but they often come with unexpected pressure. Pressure to indulge in rich foods, to say yes to another cocktail, to compromise on the health goals you've worked toward all year. Between office parties, family gatherings, and festive dinners, it can feel like your only options are to either fully participate and feel awful, or abstain completely and feel left out.

The good news? You don't have to choose. These non-alcoholic Christmas drinks and functional mocktails offer a third option: getting into the holiday spirit while actually supporting your wellness goals.

At HUA Wellness, we believe the holidays should energize you, not deplete you. These five healthy holiday wellness drinks combine the festive flavors you love with functional ingredients that help you feel amazing.

This guide shares healthy holiday wellness drinks, including functional mocktails and non-alcoholic Christmas drinks designed to support digestion, sleep, skin health, and energy during the busiest time of year.

1. What to Drink for Holiday Bloating? Try Clove Water

Clove water is exactly as the name sounds: a simple herbal drink made by steeping whole cloves in hot water. If you've heard about clove water's benefits for digestion and bloating, there's good reason for the buzz. 

Cloves are packed with antioxidants that fight free radicals and contain eugenol, a powerful compound that gives them their distinctive warm, spicy aroma. This tiny spice delivers impressive benefits including supporting digestion by easing bloating and gas while stimulating digestive enzymes.

Cloves also offer antibacterial and antiviral properties that help strengthen immunity during cold and flu season, support healthy blood sugar regulation (especially when navigating holiday sweets), and provide respiratory relief if you're dealing with seasonal coughs or congestion. 

When you're feeling the effects of rich foods and disrupted eating schedules, clove water offers gentle support in a warm, soothing drink while delivering all these beneficial compounds to your system.

How to Make Clove Water:

• Bring 2 cups of filtered water to a boil
• Add 5-10 whole cloves (don't use ground clove)
• Reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes
• Remove from heat, cover, and let it steep for another 10-15 minutes
• Strain and let cool slightly
• Enjoy!

For a holiday twist, add a cinnamon stick during simmering and add lemon or honey, if desired. The warm spices create an aromatic experience that feels like the holidays in a cup, making this one of the most comforting anti-inflammatory holiday drinks you can make.

When to Drink Clove Water:

Try clove water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach to boost metabolism, or sip it warm after heavy holiday meals to help with digestion. 

2. The Holiday Nightcap Mule: Magnesium Mocktail for Sleep

Photo by Svitlana on Unsplash

The holiday season is full of late nights, busy days, and a little too much stimulation. When your body is tired but your mind is still buzzing, magnesium can help bridge the gap.

Known for supporting muscle relaxation, stress regulation, and more restful sleep, magnesium is one of our favorite ways to unwind at the end of a long day. Even better, it doesn’t have to feel like a supplement. Here at HUA, we're big on our magnesium mocktails that we make with our best-selling Whole Food Magnesium Powder and boy, do we have a holiday recipe for you! 

Meet Mindful Mule, your non-alcoholic mule alternative made for the moment you finally get home, kick off your shoes, and start powering down after a full day of holiday activities.

Crafted with crisp ginger seltzer, bright pear slices, and warming cinnamon and clove, this mocktail feels festive without being stimulating. We finish it with our Whole Food Magnesium Powder in Lemon to help relax tense muscles, quiet a busy mind, and support more restful sleep.

"Mindful Mule" Magnesium Mocktail Recipe:

Serves 1

Ingredients

• 1 scoop HUA Wellness magnesium powder in lemon
• 2 oz ginger seltzer (or 1/4 glass if using a standard 8oz glass)
• 4-6 oz sparkling water 
  
• Pear slices
• Cinnamon sticks and clove as garnish 
  
• ice 

Instructions:

1. Add 1 scoop Whole Food Magnesium Powder (Lemon) to a glass.
2. Pour in 2 oz ginger seltzer and stir well until the magnesium powder is fully dissolved.
3. Add a few ice cubes.
4. Fill up the rest of the glass with sparkling water or about 4-6 oz
5. Top with thinly slices of pear for some sweetness
6. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and clove for added holiday spirit! 

The ginger and spice deliver that classic mule bite, while magnesium gently signals to your nervous system that it’s safe to slow down. It’s the perfect nightcap when you want to unwind after hosting, traveling, or late holiday dinners, without alcohol getting in the way of a good night’s rest.

3. Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine: A Classic Holiday Drink Without the Hangover

Photo by Hannah Pemberton on Unsplash

Mulled wine is a holiday classic, but the alcohol and sugar can leave you feeling depleted the next day. When you're already navigating rich foods and a packed social calendar, adding alcohol to the mix often means compromising how you feel. This non-alcoholic Christmas drink delivers all the warmth and spice of traditional mulled wine while keeping you energized and clear-headed.

Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine Recipe:

Serves 4 to 6

• 4 cups grape juice (Concord or red grape juice works best)
• 2 cups pomegranate juice
• 1 orange, sliced
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 4 to 5 whole cloves
• 3 to 4 star anise
• 3 to 4 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
• 2 to 3 slices fresh ginger
• Optional: 1 to 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot
2. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat
3. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 20 to 30 minutes
4. Strain into mugs and serve warm
5. Garnish with an orange slice and cinnamon stick

This aromatic beverage fills your home with the scent of the holidays while providing antioxidants from the pomegranate and grape juices. It's perfect for holiday gatherings where you want to participate fully without the pressure to drink alcohol. The warming spices also make this one of the best anti-inflammatory holiday drinks for cold winter evenings.

4. Hot Chocolate with Collagen for Glowing Skin & Cozy Nights

Hot chocolate is a non-negotiable part of the holiday season, but this upgraded version does more than just satisfy your sweet tooth. By adding collagen, you're supporting your skin, hair, nails, and joints while indulging in a cozy treat. This is comfort food that actually supports your wellness goals.

Why Collagen During the Holidays?

Collagen production naturally decreases as we age, and the dry winter air combined with holiday stress can be particularly harsh on skin. Adding collagen peptides to your hot chocolate is an easy, delicious way to support your body's collagen stores. Plus, collagen dissolves easily in hot liquids, making it perfect for this application.

When you're feeling pressured to indulge in less nourishing treats, this healthy hot chocolate with collagen lets you enjoy the cozy ritual without any compromise.

Hot Chocolate with Collagen Recipe:

Serves 1

• 4 oz milk of choice (oat milk creates extra creaminess)
• 1 to 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 to 2 oz high quality dark chocolate (or omit if collagen powder is already chocolate flavored)
  
• 1 scoop collagen peptides
• A few drops of peppermint extract (or any extract of your choice!)
  
• Optional: top with whip cream and cinnamon 

Instructions:

1. Heat milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until just beginning to bubble
2. Pour in heavy cream
3. Add chocolate and stir until fully melted and smooth
   
4. Add collagen peptides powder and stir until fully dissolved
5. Add a few drops of peppermint extract
6. Top with whip cream and cinnamon, if desired, and serve!

To keep this hot chocolate lighter and lower in sugar, make sure to use dark chocolate over milk chocolate, choose an unsweetened milk, and keep added sweeteners minimal. A small splash of heavy cream in the recipe already delivers richness without excess, while collagen peptides add skin and joint support with zero sugar. While we don’t currently stock collagen at HUA, it’s easy to find a high-quality option that blends right in.

Now picture this: you’re curled up in your living room, cozy blanket pulled close, the day finally quiet, maybe a fire flickering in the background. This collagen hot chocolate is made for that moment. Warm, comforting, and gently minty, it’s the kind of nightcap you sip slowly as your shoulders drop and the evening softens around you.

5. Sparkling Pomegranate Mimosa: The Antioxidant-Packed Celebration Drink

Photo by Linus Belanger on Unsplash

This elegant mocktail proves that celebration drinks don't need alcohol to feel special. Pomegranates are one of nature's most powerful superfoods, packed with potent antioxidants called punicalagins and anthocyanins that give the fruit its deep ruby color.

In fact, pomegranate juice has been shown to have higher antioxidant activity than red wine or green tea. Combined with vitamin C-rich orange juice and festive bubbles, this drink actively supports your health while you celebrate.

Why Pomegranate During the Holidays

The holiday season can be hard on your body with rich foods, sugar overload, and disrupted routines. Pomegranate's powerful antioxidants help combat oxidative stress from indulgent meals and late nights. The vitamin C content supports your immune system when you need it most, as cold and flu season overlaps with holiday gatherings.

Some research even suggests pomegranate may help with post-meal blood sugar balance, making it a smart choice after heavy holiday brunches. This sophisticated, visually stunning drink lets you toast to the season while actually nourishing your body with every sip.

Non-Alcoholic Pomegranate Mimosa Recipe:

Serves 1

• 2 oz fresh pomegranate juice
• 2 oz fresh orange juice
• 4 oz sparkling water or non-alcoholic sparkling wine
• Pomegranate arils and fresh mint for garnish

Instructions:

1. Pour pomegranate juice into a champagne flute
2. Add orange juice
3. Top with sparkling water or non-alcoholic sparkling wine
4. Garnish with pomegranate arils and a small mint sprig

The deep ruby color makes this drink visually stunning for holiday brunches and celebrations, while the fresh flavors keep things light and refreshing. For New Year’s, we love swapping pomegranate for pear. The result is lighter in color, softer in flavor, and perfectly champagne-coded. Pear brings natural sweetness and a pale golden hue that feels celebratory without being overstimulating — ideal for a fresh start and a clear head.

Tips for Creating Your Own Healthy Holiday Mocktails

Start with Quality Ingredients

Use fresh, organic ingredients whenever possible. The quality of your base ingredients directly impacts both flavor and nutritional value. When you're creating functional mocktails, ingredient quality matters even more because you're relying on real food compounds for wellness benefits.

Balance Flavors

Holiday drinks should be complex. Combine sweet, tart, spicy, and aromatic elements to create depth. Think beyond sugar. Use ingredients like fresh ginger, citrus, and warming spices to add interest without adding empty calories.

Make It Functional

Consider adding wellness-boosting ingredients like HUA Wellness magnesium powder, collagen peptides, and fresh fruits naturally packed with nutrients. These functional additions don't compromise flavor while supporting your health goals. This is what transforms a regular mocktail into a true functional mocktail.

Presentation Matters

Use festive garnishes like fresh herbs, citrus wheels, pomegranate arils, or cinnamon sticks. Beautiful presentation makes any drink feel special and celebratory. When your drink looks as good as everyone else's cocktail, you won't feel like you're missing out.

Batch Ahead

Many of these recipes can be prepared in advance. Make a large batch of mulled wine base or clove water concentrate to have on hand throughout the season. This makes it easy to stick with your healthy choices even when things get hectic.

Navigating Holiday Pressure Without Compromising Your Goals

The holidays come with a unique kind of pressure. There's the explicit pressure when someone insists you have "just one drink" or questions why you're not indulging. But there's also the subtler pressure of feeling different, of watching everyone else loosen up while you stay disciplined, of wondering if you're being too rigid or missing out on the fun.

These healthy holiday mocktails help ease some of that pressure. They give you something delicious to hold, something festive to sip, something that looks and tastes celebratory. No one needs to know that your drink is actively supporting your sleep quality, digestive comfort, or skin health. You get to participate fully in holiday traditions while honoring your body's needs.

At HUA Wellness, we believe wellness isn't about restriction or sacrifice. It's about finding ways to feel amazing while still enjoying life's celebrations. These functional mocktails prove you can have both the festive experience and the healthy outcome.

What's your favorite healthy holiday mocktail? Share your creations with us on social media by tagging us @huawellness for a chance to be featured on our page.