I really didn't think I'd be that bothered about cutting out alcohol during pregnancy. Whilst I certainly enjoyed a drink of an evening, for me it's always been much more of a social activity, I'd rarely get home, pop open a bottle and pour a glass or three in front of the telly.

I'm no square when it comes to the fun water but I really, really didn't think I'd be that fussed. Turns out I was wrong, or lying to myself.


So to allow myself a glass of something pretty and more interesting than soda water, I've whipped up a couple of alcohol free libations that'll not only trick your tastebuds into believing it may one day be spring, it'll keep your OBGYN off your case:



zest of a lime
tablespoon of salt
tablespoon sugar
juice of one lime
juice of 1/4 of an orange
limeade (choose a good quality one rather than a sugar fake one- it's still cheaper than wine!)

Mix the lime zest, salt and sugar and a shallow dish, wet the rim of your glass with a wedge of lime then dab into the lime sugar salt until the rim is well coated.

Stir together the lime, and orange juice with the limeade over ice in a stirring glass to cool, then pour into the rimmed glass.


1 teaspoon of maraschino cherry syrup
3 drops of Peychaud's bitters (whilst bitters ARE alcoholic they are so, so diluted in this recipe the alcohol content is practically non existant, although the flavour remains)
1 teaspoon maple syrup
soda water
two maraschino cherries
a generous curl of orange peel

Place three cubes (or one large cube) of ice in a low ball glass, add the syrups, bitters and enough soda to fill the glass. Stir well then garnish with cherries and orange peel.


2 tablespoons of mashed RIPE papaya- papaya is full of beta carotene which is great for growing babies, however studies have show that unripe papaya isn't good for the preggers set, so make sure it's really soft and ripe.
1 tablespoon simple syrup
juice of a lemon
juice of a lime
generous sprig of mint
soda water


Add the papaya puree, lime and lemon juices, simple syrup and mint to a cocktail shaker along with 2-3 cubes of ice and enough soda water to allow everything to be shaken.

Pour into a champagne glass and top with soda water, garnish with fresh mint, a slice of lime and twirl of lemon peel.