The holidays are here, but if you’re a performance-obsessed cyclist like me, you might stress about how your nutrition and training will be impacted. The good news is you don't have to miss out on all the festivities.
The experts at Skratch Labs have provided five recipes for drinks that will either get you in the holiday spirit or help you recover afterward. By adding hydration mix to cocktails, or giving your immune system a boost with wellness drinks, you can bounce back from the holiday parties a bit easier. These drinks are good options for riders who want to celebrate this season, then get right back on the bike.
Contents
Mixed drinks
Skratch Homemade Egg Nog
Skratch Spiked Apple Cinnamon Cider
Skratch Pineapple Orange Mimosas
Wellness drinks
Skratch Wellness Hydration Immune Juice
Skratch Citrus Honey Love Muddle
Skratch pro tip: All Skratch Labs Sport Recovery Mixes can be served warm or hot. Horchata and Coffee Sport Recovery Mix work well together to create a delicious vanilla latte. Or mix Coffee and Chocolate Sport Recovery Mix together for a hot mocha drink. Hot Apple Cider Sport Hydration drink mix is a great way to warm up on cold winter rides.
For more healthy recipes or a great gift for nutrition mined athletes, check out Skratch’s collection of cookbooks.
If you want to learn more about hydrating in cold weather when it's time to ride again, read Skratch's in-depth write-up.
If you haven't stocked up on Skratch and you need a drink now, try substituting with other comparable high-quality hydration and recovery mixes.
Skratch mixed drinks
Sometimes you just need a holiday drink with a little something extra. These mixed drinks are delicious and use Skratch Sport Recovery or Hydration Drink Mix to reduce the negative effects of alcohol. This makes them perfect for celebrating responsibly and then getting out for a ride the next morning.
Skratch Homemade Egg Nog
Egg nog is a classic treat that’s ridiculously easy to make it at home. Amp up the creamy yuletide flavor with the addition of Skratch Horchata Sport Recovery Mix.
The traditional method for making egg nog uses uncooked eggs. This may make you nervous as raw eggs can contain salmonella or other food-borne illnesses. If you’re concerned, there is a "cooked" method as well. If you decide to use raw eggs, use only fresh, properly refrigerated, clean grade A or AA eggs with intact shells, and avoid contact between the yolks or whites and the shell. For recipes that call for eggs that are raw or undercooked when the dish is served, use shell eggs that have been treated to destroy salmonella by pasteurization or another approved method.
Ingredients
4 egg yolks
1/3 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
1 pint whole milk
2.5 scoops of Horchata Sport Recovery Mix
1 cup heavy cream
3 oz. bourbon
1 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
4 egg whites*
Instructions
In a medium bowl, whisk the Horchata Sport Recovery Mix into the milk.
In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large bowl with an electric hand mixer), beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Add the milk mixture, cream, bourbon, and nutmeg and stir to combine.
For cooked eggnog, follow the procedure below:
In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan, over high heat, combine the milk, heavy cream and nutmeg. Bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and gradually temper the hot mixture into the egg and sugar mixture. Then return everything to the pot and cook until the mixture reaches 160°F. Remove from the heat, stir in the bourbon, pour into a medium mixing bowl, and set in the refrigerator to chill.
Skratch Spiked Apple Cinnamon Cider
Skratch Hot Apple Cider Sport Hydration Mix can be served hot to warm you up when you’re out cycling in the cold. When you’re back inside, you can make this easy cider cocktail with either whiskey or bourbon. It’s great as a hot fireside drink or cold cocktail before dinner.
The secret is an easy-to-make spiced simple syrup using the Hot Apple Cider mix. The recipe below makes one cocktail, but you can make a pitcher for friends by multiplying the ingredients. The excess will store well so long as you use it within the week.
Ingredients
For the Spiced Syrup (Makes about 1 1/2 cups)
1 cup (about 8 scoops) Skratch Hot Apple Cider Sport Hydration Mix
2 tbsp. whole cloves, crushed
1 (3-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
1 stick cinnamon
For the Cocktail (makes one serving)
3 oz. apple cider
1 1⁄2 oz. bourbon
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
Fresh or dried apple slices, to garnish
Instructions
To make spiced syrup: Boil 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Remove from heat; stir in Hot Apple Cider Sport Hydration Mix, cloves, ginger, and cinnamon. Let sit for 1 hour. Strain and chill.
To make a chilled cocktail: Mix 3⁄4 oz. spiced syrup, cider, bourbon, and lemon juice in a shaker with ice; shake to chill. Rim a martini glass with Skratch Hot Apple Cider Mix, then strain the cocktail into a glass. Garnish with apple and lemon wedges.
To make a hot cider drink: place your bourbon, simple syrup and juice in a mug. Warm cider and add to mug — stir to combine and serve! Optional: rim the mug with Skratch Hot Apple Cider Mix.
Skratch Pineapple Orange Mimosas
Sometimes holiday celebrations kick off early in the day. Mimosas are a brunch classic, and the addition of Skratch Sport Hydration Mix makes it a perfect celebratory drink for those who start their days with an early morning ride. The recipe below serves four.
Ingredients
8 oz. fresh orange juice
8 oz. of pineapple juice
1 single-serving pack OR 1 1/2 scoops of pineapple Skratch Sport Hydration Mix (or sub in your favorite flavor!)
8 oz. champagne (or your favorite sparkling wine)
1 packet Skratch Labs Orange Sport Energy Chews (optional)
Instructions
Mix the orange juice, pineapple juice, and Skratch Sport Hydration Mix together with a whisk to be sure it is well combined.
Split the juice mixture evenly between four champagne flutes. Top with 1 to 1 1/2 oz of champagne in each glass.
Serve each glass topped with two skewered orange Sport Energy Chews and enjoy!
Skratch wellness drinks
When the celebrations are over, sometimes the hangover can keep you sedentary for longer than you’d like. Add cold weather and holiday travel and illness might derail your cycling. Fortunately, Skratch has two drink recipes perfect for giving you a post-celebration pick-me-up or boosting your immune system.
Skratch Wellness Hydration Immune Juice
Illness spikes in the winter months. Skratch Lab's Wellness Hydration Drink Mix meets the World Health Organization's standard for oral re-hydration, so if you're dehydrated from illness (or a self-inflicted hangover) this will get your body back on track.
Adding kale, lemon, bananas, and honey gives you a nutritional boost so your body will be prepared to fight off anything that may come its way.
Ingredients
1 serving Wellness Hydration Drink Mix
1 tablespoon manuka honey
1 banana
1 cup chopped kale
1 squeezed lemon
Water to reach desired consistency (Start with 1/2 cup)
Instructions
Blend all ingredients with water until you reach the desired consistency.
Skratch Citrus Honey Love Muddle
Love can be shown in a multitude of ways. One of our favorites is through food. This recipe is good to keep in your back pocket to make for friends when they are feeling sick, to give as a holiday gift, or for yourself when you need a pick-me-up.
Citrus fruits have a range of benefits, and combining them with the health properties of honey will give you an extra boost. This combo not only tastes great but also looks great when layered in a mason jar, making it a stellar gift option.
Ingredients
Limes
Lemons
Oranges
Mint to taste
Honey to taste (High-quality honey is preferable — if you really want to splurge get manuka honey)
Salt to taste (again High-quality salt is better) or use Skratch Wellness Hydration Drink Mix
Tea (Citrus, ginger, green or black pair well)
Instructions
Cut all the citrus into thin slices. In a large bowl toss citrus with mint and sprinkle with salt.
In mason jar place a layer of citrus muddle. Cover that layer in honey. Repeat that layering until the jar is filled.
When ready to use take a heaping spoonful of the honey and fruit and place it in a mug. Add a tea bag and hot water and let it steep.
Kick your feet up and drink.
All photos courtesy Skratch Labs.
