Holiday Partying….The Vegan Way

The holiday season is upon us once again, and no matter what you’re celebrating, chances are good there will be some adult bevvies involved. Before you grab a can of your favorite brew or start sipping on the bubbly, be sure you know which ones are ok to have for folks following vegan diets.

Vegan Booze 101

While any vegan worth their tempeh knows exactly which foods are free from animal-derived products, when it comes to alcoholic drinks, things can get a little, um, blurry. The use of animal products is rampant throughout the wine and beer industry, with everything from fish bladder membranes (isinglass) to bone marrow winding up in your otherwise vegan-friendly wine and beer. Here’s what you need to know about including alcohol in your vegan diets:

• Wine and beer producers often filter their beverages using “fining agents” made from egg albumen, gelatin and casein to remove discoloration, protein and yeast.
• Spirits like whiskey, vodka, scotch and gin are generally ok for vegans, since these products are not filtered prior to bottling.

• Beers hailing from Germany are less likely to contain animal byproducts, thanks to strict brewing laws there.

Vegan Non-nog

One of the season’s classic drinks, eggnog, is definitely not a fit for vegan diets, however, with a few quick substitutes you can mix up an egg-free, dairy-free version that would impress even Martha. Here’s how:

For this delicious vegan drink..in a heavy-duty blender, mix together:

• 1 cup ice (pre-crush to create a smoother drink)
• 1 cup premium spiced dark rum
• 2 cups plain soymilk, almond milk or rice milk
• 20 ounces (2 10-ounce blocks) of extra-firm tofu, drained
• 2/3 cup turbano sugar (white sugar can be substituted here)
• 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract

Once blended, serve right away or chill for up to 4 hours. For extra style points, top it off with a few sprinkles of freshly-grated nutmeg.

Key Takeaways:

• When attending holiday parties, practice BYOB (Bring Your Own Booze). This way you’ll be certain that the beverage you’re enjoying is vegan (and your vegan beer will make a great conversation-starter!)
• Watch out for sweetened drinks, since these can contain honey (a definite vegan no-no).
• When responding to party invites, let the host know you are vegan - hopefully they’ll take the cue and have some vegan-friendly munchies available.
• If in doubt, hit the hard stuff. Spirits like scotch, vodka and gin are far more likely to be vegan than wines, beers or coolers are.
• To find a vegan-friendly wine or beer to give to your vegan life coach this holiday season (hint hint) check out Barnivore [http://www.barnivore.com/#] or Frommar’s vegan wine guide [http://www.vegans.frommars.org/wine/].