For a festival centred around the nativity, it's ironic how many classic Christmas foods and drinks are advised against for expectant mothers. As a food writer who discovered she was pregnant in October, the prospect of navigating the festive season without my usual favourites – from champagne flutes to soft cheese – felt like a daunting challenge. While no gift could be greater than the baby on the way, reimagining a Christmas feast within NHS guidelines became a personal mission.
Raising a Glass: Festive Fizz Without the Alcohol
The absence of champagne can feel particularly poignant. While non-alcoholic versions can't fully replicate the real thing, there are palatable options. Wine expert Olly Smith praises Kylie Minogue No Alcohol Sparkling Rosé for its value and decent taste. For a drier option, the world of sparkling tea offers complexity without excessive sweetness, with brands like Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company and Saicho available at retailers such as Selfridges.
For those seeking a more traditional profile, de-alcoholised sparkling wines, where the alcohol is removed after fermentation, avoid being overly sweet. Noughty Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Chardonnay comes highly recommended, while Smith favours Bolle Sparkling Rosé. For regular wine lovers, former Guardian columnist Fiona Beckett suggests a consolation: non-alcoholic red wine makes an excellent base for mulled wine, especially when boosted with elderberry juice.
Navigating the Festive Spread: From Oysters to the Cheeseboard
Traditional starters require careful consideration. While raw oysters are off the menu, cooked versions offer a safe and delicious alternative. Chef Roberta Hall McCarron prefers them gratinated with spinach and cheese, while Frankie Van Loo of Applebee's tops them with chorizo jam. For a vegetarian take, Ben Rand of Bubala suggests using endive leaves filled with citrus and nuts to mimic an oyster's fresh, saline crunch.
Pâté and cured meats are another area for caution. The NHS advises that all pâté should be avoided unless served piping hot, and cured meats must be cooked. Chef Emily Roux suggests accepting this defeat but offers a tasty alternative: rillettes made with hot-smoked fish, crème fraîche, and dill. Similarly, for the classic smoked salmon blini, the key is to opt for hot-smoked salmon or trout, which is fully cooked during the smoking process. Max Bergius of Secret Smokehouse confirms it offers the same richness and gentle smokiness.
The cheeseboard, thankfully, still holds plenty of joy. Contrary to popular belief, not all cheese is banned. Hard cheeses (pasteurised or unpasteurised) and pasteurised soft cheeses without a white mould rind – like mozzarella, feta, and ricotta – are safe. Bronwen Percival of Neal's Yard Dairy recommends Appleby's Cheshire for its crumbly texture and acidity, or an aged Coolea for its toffee sweetness. And for those who can't imagine Christmas without baked camembert, Roux confirms that cooking it thoroughly makes it perfectly safe.
Crafting Convincing Mocktails and Sweet Finales
The world of non-alcoholic cocktails has expanded dramatically. A well-made 'no-groni' using 0% gin, vermouth, and bitter alternatives can deliver on complex flavour. Monica Berg recommends Amàrico Rosso for vermouth, while Aecorn Bitter or Lyre's Italian Orange can stand in for Campari. For something different, the pineapple picante from London's El Bar de Cavita, with jalapeño and Crossip Blazing Pineapple, packs a spicy punch that distracts from the lack of alcohol.
A standout discovery for many expectant mothers is Mother Root, a fiery ginger aperitif created specifically for pregnancy. It adds a wintery kick to mocktails. For a ready-made option, Black Lines non-alcoholic Shirley Temple, with blood orange and ginger, is a fun, fizzy choice. As for creamy liqueurs like Baileys? The consensus is to simply look forward to enjoying them next Christmas.
Ultimately, these NHS guidelines are exactly that – guidance for informed choice. Resources like Emily Oster's book 'Expecting Better' can help delve into the data. But for those seeking straightforward, celebratory alternatives, this festive feast proves you can still eat, drink, and be very merry indeed.
