Non-Alcoholic Drink RECIPES
Nondrinkers should be given special attention at every party, especially when celebrating a special event. It’s not enough to have sodas, seltzers and juices on hand. You should also offer at least one nonalcoholic concoction that is as fun as your house cocktail and as festive as any glass of sparkling wine. Here are some suggestions:
Italian Sodas
When Italian syrup and plain seltzer are mixed together, the result is a refreshing Italian soda. Bottles of syrup are available in a wide variety of flavors – including almond, raspberry and peppermint – at Italian specialty stores and many supermarkets. Any kind of sparkling water will make a soda, but it’s much more exciting when the seltzer comes from an old-fashioned squirter with a high-charged trigger.
Mickey Mimosa
Like a classic mimosa, this one’s made with orange juice and bubbly. The “bubbly,” however, is sparkling white grape juice. Serve it in a chilled champagne flute.
Baby Bellini
Regular Bellinis are a mix of sparkling wine and peaches; nonalcoholic Bellinis are made with sparkling cider, peach nectar and lemon juice.
Hot Potions
Ciders, mulled wines, or hot toddies – with or without alcohol – can be prepared in large batches and kept simmering in a pot on the stove during the course of your party. These bewitching brews not only warm chilled guests and tickle nondrinkers’ palates, the also make your house smell divine.
Bon Temps Tody
Serves about 20
- 8 tea bags or equivalent in loose tea (try black tea, orange tea or your favorite gourmet tea)
- 2 cups honey (or more to taste)
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup whole cloves
- 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated our ground nutmeg
- 2 lemons, sliced in slim rings
- 20 cinnamon sticks, as garnish
Bring 14 cups water to boil in a large stockpot or cauldron. Add the tea and steep for approximately 8 minutes, then remove. Add the honey, lemon juice, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. Simmer over low heat for approximately 10 minutes, then adjust the seasonings as desired. Float the lemon slices in the mixture. Simmer on lowest stove setting. Serve in mugs or punch cups with cinnamon sticks as garnish.
Mulled Cider
Serves about 18
- 1 gallon fresh apple cider
- ½ cup honey
- 3 tablespoons dried orange peel
- 3 tablespoons whole cloves
- 2 tablespoons cardamon seeds
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 18 cinnamon sticks, as garnish
Combine the cider, honey, orange peel, cloves, cardamon seeds, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and allspice in a stockpot or cauldron and warm over medium-high heat. Stir until the honey is dissolved. Reduce the heat and simmer about 15 minutes; adjust the flavorings as desired. Serve in small cups with cinnamon sticks as garnish.
