Bella Breakdown

Now that the holiday season has begun, you’re likely to face more temptations like sugar treats and loads of cocktails. It’s a great time of year for getting together with family and friends, and partying the month away. A few indulgences are perfectly fine, but when it comes to drinking, there are a few hacks to keep the calories down, and the fun turned all the way up.

As one of the hottest health foods to sweep the internet, kombucha is a natural choice for a unique mixer. The tart drink is made from fermented tea, making it low in added sugar and high in healthy probiotic goodness. These days you can find endless numbers of flavors, from apple cider to turmeric to blueberry. Try one of these classic recipes with a kick of kombucha to pleasantly surprise your holiday guests!

Moscow Mule
• 1½ ounces vodka
• ¾ ounce fresh lime juice
• 2 teaspoons simple syrup
• 3 ounces ginger-flavored kombucha
• Lime wedge (for serving)

Combine vodka, lime juice, and simple syrup in a glass filled with ice. Top with ginger kombucha and lime wedge.

Harvest Kombucha Sangria
• 4 cups of apples and pears, cubed
• 750 ml bottle of your favorite fruity red wine, chilled
• 3 cups seltzer water, chilled
• 2 cups kombucha
• 1 cup fresh or frozen berries (a mix of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries would be great)
• 1 lime, thinly sliced
• sweetener to taste (optional)

Reserve some apple and pear cubes for garnishing. Combine all the ingredients in a large pitcher and taste for sweetness. Add one or two drops of liquid sweetener if desired. Top with remaining fruit.

Kombucha Margarita
• Sea salt or flaky kosher salt for the rim
• 3 ounces tequila
• 3 ounces triple sec or Cointreau
• 3 ounces fresh lime juice (about 3 limes)
• Stevia or honey to taste
• 6 ounces plain kombucha

Run a lime wedge along the rim of the glass and dip in the salt. Shake all the ingredients except the kombucha with ice in a cocktail shaker until the exterior frosts. Add the komchua and give a quick stir. Strain into a glass over rocks, or into a cocktail glass without ice. Garnish with a slice of lime, if desired.