Cheers to the Nominees With Oscar Mocktails

                                                                                                                                  (Diane Henderiks)

By DIANE HENDERIKS, R.D.

Everyone's buzzing over the Oscars and a toast is in order! Elevate your Oscar party gathering by offering festive and fabulous concoctions for those who choose not to imbibe. I've created a delicious "mocktail" for each of the 9 Best Picture nominees. These flavor-filled potions are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and phytonutrients. Pick your favorite or whip them all up.

Cheers to the nominees- and to your health!

For "The Artist," Diane's Brushed Bubbly

Movie stars and sparkling bubbles just go together.

3/4 cup seltzer water

1/4 cup white grape juice

1/4 cup fresh raspberries

1/4 cup orange juice

Fill each section of an ice cube tray with 4 raspberries and top with orange juice.  Freeze.  Fill champagne glass with 3/4 cup seltzer.  Add 1/4 cup white grape juice.  Place 2 cubes of frozen raspberries in glass.

For "The Descendents," Diane's Pina Nolada

Feel the palm trees of Hawaii blow in the wind with this tropical mix .

1/2 cup fresh pineapple chunks

1 cup coconut water

1/4 cup plain, nonfat yogurt

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon fresh lime juice

Place pineapple chunks in zip top bag and freeze.  Place 3/4 cup coconut water in blender. Add yogurt, vanilla extract, lime juice and frozen pineapple chunks.  Blend until smooth adding additional coconut water as needed to reach desired consistency.  Grate fresh nutmeg on top and garnish with orange slice, lime and/or pineapple chunk.

For"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close," Diane's Key Mockarita

The key to this refreshing drink is the combination of flavors.

1/4 cup Key lime juice

1/4 cup water

1/2 cup white grape juice

If desired, rim 1/2 of margarita glass with kosher salt.  Combine all ingredients in shaker and shake well.  Strain over margarita glass filled with ice.  Garnish with Key lime wedge.

                                                                                                                               (Diane Henderiks)

For "The Help," Diane's Grapeoplitan

Powerful with a sweet charm just like the ladies on the screen.

3/4 cup Concord grape Juice

1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lime juice

1 tablespoon fresh squeezed orange juice

Combine all ingredients in shaker glass with ice.  Strain into chilled martini glass and garnish with lime and an orange wedge.

For " Hugo," Diane's Sparkling Mock Kir

The best way to say, "Bonjour Paris!"

3/4 cup sparkling grape juice or apple cider

1 tablespoon of cranberry juice

2 raspberries

Pour sparkling juice into champagne flute.  Add juice and drop in raspberries.

For "Midnight in Paris," Diane's Cafe au Chocolat

Top off the evening by sipping on this (only caffeine buzz) nightcap.

3/4 cup low fat milk

2 teaspoons instant coffee

1 tablespoon pure cocoa

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon semi-sweet chocolate chips

Whipped cream and cinnamon (if desired)

Combine first 5 ingredients in a small saucepan. Whisk constantly over medium-low heat until mixture is just under boiling and all ingredients have combined. Add chocolate chips and whisk constantly until they dissolve.  Pour into fancy coffee glass, top with whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon.

For "Moneyball," Diane's Home Run Punch

Cover all of the bases with this fun and fruity mix.

1/4 cup orange juice

1/4 cup cranberry juice

1/4 cup pineapple juice

1/8 teaspoon fresh lime juice

1/4 cup seltzer

Combine all juices together in shaker with 1 cup of ice.  Pour mix and ice into glass and add seltzer.  Stir gently. Garnish with pineapple, orange and a lime slice.

For "Tree of Life," Diane's Green Tea Treasure

Served hot or cold this drink is a star.

2 green tea bags

1 cup boiling water

2 inch knob of fresh ginger

1/2 cinnamon stick

2 whole cloves

1/4 teaspoon anise seeds

1 teaspoon honey

Make the green tea by placing tea bags in 1 cup of boiling water. Let steep for about 3 minutes. Remove and set tea aside. Peel ginger and cut into 4 chunks.  In small saucepan combine steeped tea with next 4 ingredients (ginger through anise seeds). Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in honey until dissolved. Strain mixture over glass and serve hot and garnish with lemon wedge.

For "War Horse," Diane's Bloody Nary

Cheerio! This refreshing beverage brings the taste of England.

3/4 cup low sodium tomato juice

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/8 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

¼ teaspoon celery seed

pinch onion powder

1 teaspoon horseradish

2, 3, 4 … shakes of hot sauce

Combine all ingredients in a shaker and shake well.  Pour into ice filled glass.  Garnish with celery stalk, lime wedge and green olives.

Henderiks is a registered dietitian, founder of  Dianehenderiks.com and a "Good Morning America" health contributor.