If you aren't a drinker, or have friends or family members who don't drink, it is always a good idea to have some wonderful non-alcoholic drink recipes on hand when throwing a party. Many of these recipes are also suitable for teens and tweens who want something a little more interesting than a soda or water at a birthday or Halloween party.
The best part about non-alcoholic drink recipes is that you can make them as complex or as simple as you need to. The most simple recipe is to add some fruit juice to sparkling water and garnish the glass with a wedge of fruit that corresponds to the juice. For something a little more involved, you will need a few more ingredients ranging from almond extract to a variety of spices.
Non-Alcoholic Drink Recipes
Here are a few new recipes to add to your repertoire. You may recognize some of these from their boozy counterparts, but just because they lack the alcohol doesn't mean that they aren't as tasty as ever.
Amaretto Stone Sweet
A bit like an amaretto sour but with a little fizz, this is the perfect non-alcoholic cocktail for a teenage party or for a hot summer gathering.
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 ounces non-alcoholic amaretto flavoring syrup or almond syrup
- 2 ounces maraschino cherry syrup
- 4 ounces orange juice
- 4 ounces lemon-lime soda (such as 7-UP or Sprite)
- Ice
- Mix all ingredients together in a punch bowl or pitcher.
- Chill and serve in glasses garnished with orange wedges.
Cranberry Punch
This is a hit for the holidays or for any other time when a party calls for a festive drink with a lot of flavorful punch.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups cranberry juice (not unsweetened)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 cups pineapple juice (not from concentrate)
- 1 tablespoon almond extract
- 4 cups ginger ale or non-alcoholic ginger beer for more kick
Directions:
- Combine the cranberry juice, sugar, pineapple juice and almond extract, and mix with a wisk until the sugar has completely dissolved. Chill in the refrigerator for about an hour.
- Add the ginger ale or ginger beer just prior to serving so the bubbles continue to fizz throughout the party
- Add an ice ring, or serve in ice-filled glasses to keep chilled. Adding ice cubes directly to the mixture will water it down
Hawaiian Surfer
This drink will transport you back to the beach. It is a wonderful mixture of orange, pineapple and coconut that will have you thinking of your toes in the sand. Perfect for a beach party, or for a summer BBQ.
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces orange sherbet or orange sorbet
- 4 ounces pineapple juice (not from concentrate)
- 2 ounces coconut cream (or if you can't find coconut cream, simply reduce a can of coconut milk by half over the stove)
Directions:
- In a blender, blend all ingredients together and add about two cups full of cracked ice until the mixture is of a smoothie-like consistency.
- Pour into wine goblets, and garnish with pineapple wedges and a colorful straw for sipping.
St. Clements
If you are looking for a more grown-up non-alcoholic cocktail recipe, the St. Clements is for you. It is a little sour, a little bitter and just perfect for sipping.
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces orange juice
- 4 ounces bitter lemon soda
Directions:
- Place the two ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake the ingredients vigorously until foamy and chilled.
- Serve in a highball glass filled with ice cubes. and add a lemon or orange twist for garnish.
Wassail
This classic Christmas cocktail has roots in the medieval period. Usually made with wine, this version is made with apple juice and is the perfect accompaniment to any holiday party. It fills your kitchen with redolent spices and makes the air a little more festive.
Ingredients:
- 8 cups apple cider
- 2 whole oranges
- 2 whole lemons
- 1 tablespoons ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon ground allspice
- 2 whole cinnamon sticks
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Directions:
- Bring the water to a boil. Slice the lemons and oranges in half, squeeze the juice into a separate bowl and toss the remainders of the citrus fruits into the boiling water.
- Add the cloves, allspice and cinnamon to the water and simmer on low for one hour to extract the flavors
- Remove the citrus rind and pulp, add the apple cider and bring to a slow boil. Remove from heat, and add the orange and lemon juice and sugar. Again, bring to a light simmer for about 10 minutes.
- To keep the wassail warm, keep it on a very low burner. Be sure to stir often so it doesn't burn.
Final Note
There are literally hundreds of different recipes for non-alcoholic drinks. It is fun to experiment, so try something with whatever you have on hand at home. It is amazing what you can put together with just a few simple ingredients.
