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A healthy twist on favorite holiday drinks

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As the weather starts to cool, that can only mean one thing: delicious festive drinks! These drink recipes have some of your favorite seasonal flavors with the added bonus of ingredients that are good for your oral health. Go ahead and enjoy a cup of cheer.

Recipe: Peppermint hot chocolate

Spice up your next mug of hot chocolate with a refreshing hint of peppermint.

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    Dark chocolate helps fight bacteria in your mouth.

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    Almond milk contains vitamin E, which can reduce your risk of oral cancer.

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    Heavy cream has riboflavin, which can keep the lining of your mouth healthy.

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Ingredients (Makes one serving. Double the ingredients for wintertime cuddling):

  • 1 cup of almond milk
  • 1/3 cup of heavy cream
  • 1.5 ounces of dark chocolate
  • 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract

Directions:

  1. Combine all of the ingredients into a small saucepan.
  2. Heat on low, stirring the mixture occasionally until it reaches a gentle boil.
  3. Remove hot chocolate from the heat, pour it into a mug and enjoy!

Recipe: Hot buttered rum

Cap off your night with a toasty cup of hot buttered rum.

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    Butter is full of calcium and vitamin D, which promote strong teeth and bones.

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    Cloves are high in manganese, another essential mineral for strong teeth and bones.

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    Allspice has natural antimicrobial properties and can relieve pain (including from toothaches!).

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Ingredients (Makes two servings.):

  • 1 cup of water
  • 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons of sugar or a sugar substitute
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of ground clove
  • Pinch of salt
  • 3 ounces of dark rum (white or spiced rum won’t have the same flavor)
  • 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • Pinch of ground allspice

Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients except for the rum, vanilla extract and allspice into a small saucepan.
  2. Heat the saucepan over medium heat until the ingredients begin to simmer.
  3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the rum and vanilla extract.
  4. Pour the hot buttered rum into mugs, top with the allspice and enjoy!

Recipe: Eggnog

What’s the holiday season without eggnog? Pour yourself a glass of this cozy, creamy concoction.

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    Eggs are rich in phosphorous, which helps protect and rebuild tooth enamel.

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    Honey has antioxidants that can help protect your body from winter diseases.

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    Nutmeg has natural antimicrobial properties that can fight cavities and gum inflammation.

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Ingredients (Makes two servings):

  • 2 cups of almond milk
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon of honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg

Directions:

  1. Mix the ingredients together in a saucepan until they’re smooth and creamy.
  2. Heat the mixture over medium-low heat. Cook for 4-6 minutes, stirring frequently. Turn off the heat before the mixture boils!
  3. Strain the mixture through a fine strainer and pour it into mugs. Enjoy!

Recipe: Mulled wine

Enjoy a holiday classic that’s perfect for gatherings.

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    Red wine may reduce the risk of multiple disease.

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    Oranges are a great source of vitamin C, which helps maintain healthy gums.

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    Cinnamon has compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

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Ingredients (Makes five servings. Perfect for gatherings!):

  • 1 bottle of red wine (we recommend Merlot)
  • 10 cloves
  • 1 orange (you can use more for an optional garnish)
  • 2 sticks of cinnamon
  • 1 star anise pod
  • 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 cup of brandy (grape is traditional, but for different flavors you can experiment with brandy made from other fruits)

Directions:

  1. Add the red wine into a heavy pot or slow cooker.
  2. Push the cloves into the skin of the orange.
  3. Add the orange and the remaining ingredients to your pot or slow cooker.
  4. Heat on low for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
  5. Serve warm!

In all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, take some time to create one of these cozy concoctions and relax (and enjoy some healthy winter snacks!) You’ll love the wintry flavors and appreciate the healthy ingredients for your smile. 

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Grin! magazine | Delta Dental of California & affiliates

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