We are closing out kid’s week here at the Happy Gluten Free Vegan, and we decided to devote today’s post to drinks! Delicious beverages are a great way to give your child a treat outside of water, juice and soy milk. Treating them does not have to mean filling up on sugar and high fructose corn syrup-laden sodas and fruit beverages! Even so-called juices contain surprising ingredients. Next time you are at the supermarket, take a moment to look at the labels on juice bottles; some of the juices that call themselves “natural” are still full of sugar. They often try to make it sound nicer by calling it “pure cane sugar”, but a rose by any other name is still a rose! We took to Whole Eating Cookbook: Delicious Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Low-Glycemic Recipes with Bonus Nutrition Tips by Elizabeth Rider for some delicious and nutritious beverage recipes!

Cranberry Vanilla Italian Soda

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces club soda or sparkling water
• 4 ounces unsweetened cranberry juice
• 2 ounces unsweetened almond milk
• 8-10 drops of vanilla flavored stevia
• Ice

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher over ice, stir and serve immediately

Orange Pomegranate Sparkler

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces club soda or sparkling water
• 6 ounces unsweetened pomegranate juice
• 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
• 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed orange juice
• 8-10 drops of plain liquid stevia
• Ice

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher over ice, stir and serve immediately.

Healthylicious Hot Chocolate

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• 24 ounces of your favorite milk alternative, unsweetened
• 2 1/2 tablespoons organic unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon raw agave nectar syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 12 drops liquid stevia

Warm the milk on the stove over medium heat until hot but not boiling (about 5 minutes). Add the rest of the ingredients and whisk to combine. Heat another 1-2 minutes and serve immediately.

If you are in a pinch, or have little time, remember that you can’t go wrong with “homemade soda” – sparkling water, pure fruit juice and a pinch of stevia. Sure to make your children smile!

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