There are many things we women need from our men, and sometimes we feel shy to ask. An extra cuddle in bed when the alarm clock goes off early in the morning… a love note on a post-it® stuck to the refrigerator door… a longing gaze over the dinner table. Yes, our womanly longings can be easily satisfied if you’re paying attention. And, if your wife happens to be pregnant, there is one thing she truly desires but might never say out loud… she wants a freakin’ cocktail, already!
Relax -- no one is suggesting you ply the future mother of your baby with alcohol. Everyone knows that would be a bad idea. What we are talking about is a luxurious liquorless libation designed with your preggie party girl in mind. We are referring to something she can hold in her hand, sip at a party, clink into your glass over a Valentine’s toast to your undying love, and feel like she isn’t missing a thing. We are talking about Preggatinis™.
Preggatinis are a far cry from the “mocktails” of yore. They are not the goopey sickly sweet “virgin Coladas” we’ve been offered in lieu of the real thing. They are not the “Shirley Temples” we drank as children. They are far more exciting than the usual “sparkling cider” a pregnant woman is presented -- by the gallon -- at every special occasion during her pregnancy.
Preggatinis are grown up drinks that incorporate the cornerstones of quality mixology found in upscale bars and restaurants around the world: freshly squeezed juices, muddled herbs and seasonal berries or fruits. They are hand-shaken, stirred, strained -- then sipped from elegant stemware. They are colorful, tasty, healthful -- and most of all, they are fun. And, they were created especially for that period of time when women avoid alcohol but still want to feel like they are included in the celebration.
Being pregnant is a magical time, a miraculous occurrence, and every effervescent mother-to-be has that mysterious glow. Whether you are expecting your first child or your fifth, you have already noticed that there is nothing sexier to a man than a woman carrying his child, right? Well, keep in mind, that there is nothing sexier to a woman than a man who tends to her needs… and sometimes that means tending the Preggatini Bar®!
When creating the 75+ nonalcoholic cocktail recipes for my new book Preggatinis: Mixology for the Mom-To-Be, I wanted to present the expectant couple with drinks that could be exciting for both of them. There are step-by-step directions on how to make the drinks, of course, but also a list of bar tools and glassware to organize own home Preggatini Bar and what to buy to keep it well-stocked. There are even instructions on how to make ‘fully leaded’ versions of the virgin cocktails in the “De-Virginize for Dads” instructions, sprinkled throughout the recipes.
So, if your wife is ‘with child’ this Valentine’s Day, show your sensitive side and designate yourself her personal Preggatini-tender® for the evening. Romance her with roses and chocolates, for sure, but don’t forget to raise a glass to the love of your life, and to your expanding family. She will appreciate the effort you’ve made to incorporate her baby bump into the celebration, and to keep her feeling like the life of the party. And, when you make your woman feel like a Goddess, and see that look of appreciation in her eyes for doing so, you’ll be fulfilling your heart’s desire, as well.
You may never have considered celebrating Valentine’s Day as a threesome, until now. “You + me + baby makes three” gives a whole new interpretation to a love triangle.
- 1 1/2 ounces white cranberry juice
- 3/4 ounce strawberry flavored syrup
- 3 ounces Fre® alcohol-removed sparkling wine (or club soda)
Pour white cranberry juice, strawberry syrup and bitters into a champagne flute. Top with Fre®alcohol-removed sparkling wine (or club soda). Garnish with a heart-shaped lollipop.
Baby Bump Breeze (Tall Glass)
Sporting a baby bump is a breeze once you’re sipping a refreshing non-alcoholic cocktail created just for you. This one is also a breeze to make… just gather a few ingredients and pour them in a glass!
- 2 ounces cranberry juice
3 ounces pineapple juice
2 ounces blood orange Italian soda
Pour all ingredients into a tall glass, filled with ice. Garnish with a colorful stirrer.
De-Virginize for Dad: Add 1-ounce vodka and 1/2-ounce Veev açai liqueur, or 2 ounces of tequila.
With over 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry, lifestyle writer and mixologist Natalie Bovis-Nelsen keeps an eye on drink trends around the world. She designs signature cocktails for celebrity-studded events, teaches cocktail classes around the U.S. and has shaken-and-stirred audiences on TV and radio shows. Natalie consults for beverage companies, and is a pioneer in bringing high-end mixology philosophies to nonalcoholic cocktails, too. Her highly acclaimed book Preggatinis: Mixology for the Mom-To-Be features more than 75 of her original recipes designed with the fun-loving preggie party girl in mind, and was named one of the top ten cocktail books of 2008. Learn more about her at TheLiquidMuse.com.
