Sure, you could reach into the fridge and grab another soda this holiday season.

But why not kick things up a notch and make a healthy holiday mocktail?

Jason Jones, a chef manager at St. Luke’s Boise, likes to serve his guests a Pomegranate Pink Lady throughout the holiday season. He offers the recipe for this, the final installment of our 2020 e-cookbook series.

Apart from really, really wanting to toast the end of this odd and trying year, there’s a lot to like about this cheery, refreshing drink.

“Everyone should enjoy this tasty beverage!” said Dianna Zunino, a registered dietitian with St. Luke’s. “Pomegranates are rich in vitamin C, potassium, fiber and antioxidants.”

Jones said he likes to use raw local honey in his recipes when he can, but he also said honey can be difficult to dissolve in cold liquids so he understands why some people would prefer to use simple syrup (see recipe below).

Jones also suggested a helpful tip when using pomegranates in recipes: Fill a bowl with water and add the pomegranate. While separating, the white pulp will float and the seeds will sink.

There are any number of easy mocktails like this recipe to stir up this holiday season. Want something warm to combat the cold weather? Consider mulled apple juice. 

Just simmer four cups of apple juice with strips of orange peel, a cinnamon stick and three cloves for about 5-10 minutes until the flavors have infused. Add simple sugar or honey to taste, and garnish with a little orange peel and a piece of a cinnamon stick.

And if you’re dead-set on that soda in the fridge, at least make it a little more festive. Try lemon-lime soda mixed with cranberry juice, for example.

Cheers!

• 1 medium-sized pomegranate (makes about 1/2 cup juice)
• Juice of half of a lime
• 2 tablespoons honey or simple syrup
• 1 tray ice cubes, divided equally
• 2 ounces club soda (or to taste)
• Orange wedges to garnish (optional)
• Pomegranate seeds to garnish (optional)

• 1/2 cup honey or sugar
• 1/2 cup water

Combine the honey and water in a saucepan and simmer until honey is dissolved. Simply syrup will hold refrigerated for a week. Try adding citrus zest, herbs and spices to incorporate seasonal flavors.

1. Quarter the pomegranate over a ceramic bowl and remove the white pulp. Pour contents into a blender and pulse for about 30 seconds.
2. Combine pomegranate juice, lime juice, simple syrup and ice cubes in a glass jar with a sealable lid. Seal and shake well. Strain contents into two ice-filled tumblers and top each glass with club soda (or to taste). Add a lime wedge and/or pomegranate seeds to garnish. Makes two drinks.

Nutritional information: 146 calories, 41g carb, 1g fat, 2g protein, 6mg sodium, 32g sugar