There’s plenty of reasons why you might want to serve non alcoholic drinks at a party, but if you’re used to entertaining with adult beverages only it can be tricky to figure out exactly what to put out. After all, you want your guests to enjoy themselves! Here’s the ultimate guide to providing non-alcoholic options at a party or event.
Personally, I always like to have a selection of drinks on hand for impromptu entertaining. Most of these can be kept in your bar or beer fridge alongside adult beverages so you’re prepared to entertain anyone who may drop by.
The quantities you buy of these drinks for an event will vary depending on the type of people you entertain. Keep in mind most popular drink mixes make great non-alcoholic drinks too, so you may be able to get away with just buying some extra to avoid waste or too many options.
Why You Should Serve Alcohol Free Beverages to Guests
Whether you serve booze alongside alcohol free options is up to you, but there’s plenty of reasons people don’t want to drink. It’s good practice to have something available for them that reflects the types of alcoholic drinks served at the party. For example, if you’re making a lot of cocktails, have a mocktail option.
It can be extremely disappointing for someone who isn’t drinking to miss out on the fun of a signature punch because there’s no non-alcoholic version!
Pregnant or Breastfeeding
New parents or soon to be parents shouldn’t be excluded from the fun! But if one of your guests is pregnant or breastfeeding, you’ll definitely want some great non-alcoholic options. This is especially important to keep in mind at wedding showers and baby showers because it’s a group of women gathering, and therefore higher odds of someone being pregnant or nursing attending.
Someone who is newly pregnant but not ready to share the news will also be able to avoid any awkwardness if you have alcohol free options laid out.
Sober or Cutting Back on Alcohol Consumption
Parties and other events are tough places for recovering alcoholics. Whether they’re maintaining sobriety or just cutting back, good quality booze-free options will help make drinking less tempting. IKt also will help social drinkers feel like they’re part of the fun even without alcohol in their cup.
Religious Reasons
There are quite a few religions that don’t allow their members to drink alcohol. Unless you know all your guests personally, it’s possible that some guests could be a member of these groups. This is especially true in regions that have higher populations of Mormons, Islamists, or Buddhists.
Designated Driver
Drinking and driving is a huge issue, and one that most party hosts want to avoid when it comes to their guests. If party attendees have to drive to your home or venue, make sure you have an array of options for your designated drivers to enjoy. That way everyone can get home safely.
Kids and Teens
If children are in attendance make sure you have something available for them to enjoy. Parties are a great opportunity to give youngsters some drinks they wouldn’t normally get like juice boxes or soda.
Just Don’t Want to Drink
It’s important to have options for folks who simply don’t want to drink. Some folks have medical conditions or medications that prevent them from drinking, others simply may not feel like it. Have options for these people, and never pressure them into drinking if they don’t want to.
A Complete Guide to Non Alcoholic Drinks to Serve at a Party
Now that we know why you need alcohol-free beverages, here’s a long list of everything you might want to consider serving. Of course, you don’t need to offer everything on this list; but it’s a great starting point if you need inspiration.
Soda Pop
This is the go to for most folks. A lot of adults (and kids, for that matter) like drinking soda. It’s also convenient like beer and coolers for BBQs and casual events.
Make sure you offer a selection of sugar and diet drinks, as well as options without caffeine. I strongly recommend buying brand names (even multiple brands for a big event); no-name sodas are fine as mix, but not as tasty to drink on their own.
To class this up, buy some speciality pop, glass bottle options, or Italian soda for your guests.
Fruit Juice
If you’re making cocktails then you probably will have fruit juice on hand anyway. It’s a nice extra to offer to your guests, especially for those who don’t like to drink pop.
Not sure what to buy? I tend to stock orange juice, cranberry juice, and some kind of fruit cocktail at minimum.
Juice Boxes, Sunny D, Kool Aid Jammers, etc
Speaking of juice, another great idea is to grab a pack of juice boxes for your party. While these might not be adult friendly, they’ll definitely keep and kids in attendance happy. You can also get some of the juice-like options like Sunny D or KoolAid Jammers. You’d be surprised how many adults will enjoy drinking these too!
Flat and Sparkling Water
Guests, whether they’re drinking or not, will appreciate having chilled bottled water available. You can also pick up some sparkling water, with and without flavor, to serve as well. This also makes great light mix for drinks, too.
Gatorade
When I’m drinking I almost always down a gatorade at the end of the night to fight off dehydration. Your guests will definitely appreciate being sent home with a bottle!
Gatorade is also pretty tasty, so those avoiding alcohol and teens will also like having it as an option.
Coffee and Tea
Have coffee made and serve a variety of tea options with a kettle, especially if it’s an evening party. This a great pick-me-up for adult guests, especially if they party is past bedtime. It also feels more grown up than some of the other options; perfect for those who aren’t drinking.
Make sure you offer some different creamers or flavors, milk or cream and sugar, and some caffeine-free herbal tea options.
Energy Drinks
Speaking of pick-me-ups, your guests might prefer this slightly more irresponsible option. There’s a reason why you can get Red Bull at most clubs: it keeps the night going. Just don’t mix it with alcohol.
Mocktails
Last, but definitely not least, is mocktails. If you plan to make cocktails for you guests, make sure you have a few similar recipes for alcohol free options to serve to guests who don’t drink. Usually you can remove the alcohol in most cocktail recipes, but some (especially ones that rely on alcohols like blue curacao) may need special ingredients to make a mocktail version.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas! Time to bring out those decorations and start planning those festive meals. Personally, I feel no meal is really complete without some tasty Christmas themed drinks and cocktails (or mocktails).
Let’s be real Christmas can be such a stressful time! With those endless to do lists before the big day and the many shopping trips for gifts. One thing is for sure everyone could use one (or five) of these cocktails to sip on while enjoying their big feast or watching the kids tear apart the house playing with their new toys.
Never fear trying to figure out what drinks to serve, I’ve gathered a list of fantastic drink options that are sure to impress everyone who attends your Christmas this year, or for you to just enjoy after everyone has gone home.
Selecting Your Drinks
Whether you enjoy a warm, cold, or boozy drink this list has something for everyone to enjoy this Christmas season! If you are hosting a dinner, it’s always important to make sure you have a few options for your guests. I like to include a few options when having guests over, ensuring I have a mocktail on hand for those not drinking or are underaged.
Including a hot beverage to have with dessert is always nice as well, I’m personally a sucker for anything with eggnog in it and can’t wait to try a few of the boozy eggnog recipes off this list this Christmas. Check out these delicious Christmas drinks below to find some inspiration for this holiday season. Happy Sippin!
This gingerbread martini recipe is a delicious Christmas drink with Baileys, the absolute best Christmas Cocktail to enjoy with friends and family or at your next holiday party.
You could easily turn this into a funny "Santa's balls" or "jingle my balls" themed cocktail for your holiday party or girl's night. Plus I love the idea of a little tropical pick-me-up just when the weather turns cold this winter.
Get festive this holiday season with this super easy Holiday Peppermint White Russian. Made with Kahlúa, Peppermint Schnapps and, of course, Vodka, this delicious cocktail will have everyone singing.
This homemade alcohol free eggnog is perfect for the holiday season. It's easy to make, divine to drink, and because its non-alcoholic the kids can enjoy this mocktail too.
Mulled Wine is a traditional holiday drink made with red wine, brandy, and mulling spices like cloves, star anise, and cinnamon. It’s delicious, cozy, and guaranteed to warm you from the inside out.
This recipe is quick and easy to make with just 3 ingredients! You and your guests will be more than impressed. Creamy and delicious, but super easy to make, these martinis could also be your dessert because they are lightly sweet.
These Christmas cranberry champagne cocktails are sparkly to the max and the perfect cocktail to sip on while you wrap presents or do what I’m currently doing: watching the snow fall gently outside my window while a fire crackles in the fire place.
This Christmas drink with coconut rum and mint brings a taste of the tropics to any holiday celebration. Perfect for Christmas or Christmas in July, this festive drink will have you dreaming of a white Christmas on the beach.
Add a little sparkle to your holidays with this festive Sugar Plum Fairy Martini! Tart cranberry juice, rich Amaretto and a touch of spice come together to make your new favorite Christmas cocktail. This Nutcracker-themed martini is a sure hit for your next holiday party, or it's the perfect relaxing sipper for an evening in front of the fireplace.
A white chocolate candy cane martini is the perfect festive Christmas cocktail. Mix one up for your Christmas celebration or any other festive occasion. Guaranteed to make you feel like Buddy the Elf- in a good way!
Made with sweet and savory rosemary simple syrup and bright white coconut milk, this Winter Wonderland Margarita is your perfect sipper for the occasion. Serve with a candied rosemary sprig for a sparkly, wintry touch.
This Peppermint White Chocolate Martini makes the perfect holiday cocktail! Made with Torani Sugar Free Peppermint Syrup, you can enjoy all the extra flavor without worrying about the extra calories!
Looking for an amazing holiday punch that tastes as good as it looks? This Vanilla Pomegranate Holiday Punch not only looks amazing but you can create this delicious punch in a matter of minutes.
The kid’s Grinch Ice Cream Float recipe is a delicious lemon-lime ice cream float recipe with a little tang that you can enjoy while watching The Grinch on DVD. This recipe was inspired by The Grinch movie.
The recipe is super simple and needs only a few ingredients so it’s great for home bartenders. This Moscow mule is the perfect cocktail to enjoy while watching your favorite hallmark Christmas movie.
With just a few ingredients, this flavorful drink is perfect to serve at all your holiday parties. The magic is in the Spiced cranberry juice. Bottled juice is infused with seasonal spices to create the perfect base for a delicious bourbon cocktail.
If you’ve ever made regular jello shots for a gathering, you are going to enjoy these Santa Hat Jello Shots. These jello shots are made with strawberry jello, marshmallow vodka, real strawberries, and whipped topping. The way the jello shots are put together will make the craziness of this holiday season worth it.
This Christmas Cranberry Cocktail is made with your favorite whiskey and a rosemary simple syrup, then garnished with sugared cranberries for a quick but festive holiday cocktail!
in this recipe the simple syrup is the star. The drink is vodka and sparkling water (tonic water if you like a sweet drink), and garnishes are orange slices, more cinnamon sticks, and fresh cranberries.
Looking for a fun non-alcoholic party drink for a special occasion? This festive sparkling cranberry mocktail is fresh and fruity, and full of flavor. Everyone will love it during the holiday season!
These virgin mimosas make the perfect Christmas mocktails. With just a few simple ingredients you will have the perfect drink to serve that will please every guest of all ages.
If you're hunting for an easy, delicious non alcoholic Christmas punch, you've found it. This bubbly drink recipe is an easy way to make your holiday drinks exciting. It has a mixture of high quality juices, sparkling apple juice or cider, ginger ale and fresh fruits of your choice.
The acidity of the fresh cranberries and limes mixed with the sweetness of the candied sage and cranberry juice makes the palate pop. You can’t even tell that there in Gin in your drink!
With coconut, tequila, fresh lime juice, triple sec and pomegranate seeds, this White Christmas Margarita looks like winter but tastes like summer. It will be the hit of any party.
A classic holiday beverage made vegan, gluten-free, paleo, top-8 allergy-free, and sugar-free! This Homemade Vegan Eggnog, aka "Hempnog", will be a standout drink recipe to include this season! Even the non-eggnog drinkers will fall in love!
Try this easy mulled wine recipe to add some warm cheer to a chilly day! Cozy spices simmer with a red wine mixture to create the most delicious, fragrant mulled wine. Perfect for fall, winter, and beyond!
This spiked bananas foster ice cream rum nog is just perfect. Whatever festivities you are arranging, adding in a mouth-watering banana cocktail made with black spiced rum is going to make them even more fun! This eggnog made with ice cream is a fun take on the traditional Thanksgiving or Christmas nog cocktail.
This gingerbread latte dessert rum cocktail is going to be one of the stars of your holidays! It’s a delectable mixture of spiced rum and coffee liqueur. This gingerbread rum cocktail makes a great alcoholic Christmas drink and holiday after dinner drink.
This healthy cocoa recipe is gluten-free, vegan, paleo, keto, and top 8 allergen free. This winter beverage with healing spices like turmeric will warm the body, mind, and soul!
The easiest Vegan White Hot Chocolate recipe is just 3 ingredients, sweet, creamy, and so cozy! This dairy-free white chocolate hot cocoa is gluten-free, allergy-free, and made in less than 10 minutes!
Enjoy a sweet and bubbly beverage this holiday season with this Cranberry Fizz Cocktail. It does more than taste delicious. It'll match your festive decorations, too!
Pink peppermint jello shots are such a fun idea for the holidays. These creamy candy cane shots are prepared with peppermint schnapps and whipping cream vodka. The peppermint is perfect for the holidays while the vodka will give you a festive buzz!
Watermelon rum, melon liqueur, and blue Curaçao combine to create a festive melon Grinch green cocktail. This tropical melon cocktail is a wonderful green holiday drink. The glass has a pretty lemon sugar rim and the cocktail itself boasts the distinctive flavour of melon along with tangy citrus and fruity rum. This Grinch green Christmas cocktail is also a great one to try on St. Patrick’s Day, too!
A Christmas chocolate cake cocktail is like a holiday dessert and festive beverage rolled into one. This chocolate cocktail is a rich and decadent Christmas party mixed drink with only three main ingredients as well with a couple of garnish ideas. If you are a fan of milk, Nutella and cake flavored vodka, you will love this boozy holiday drink.
Move over Starbucks! This Cookies & Cream Frappuccino is gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan! This homemade recipe has all the sweet deliciousness without the cost and is made right in your blender with minimal fuss!
A super simple 3-Ingredient DIY Vegan Instant Hot Chocolate Mix you can whip up in a flash! Sugar-free, gluten-free, paleo, keto, and allergy-free, this healthy hot cocoa mix recipe is perfect for holiday gifts or stocking the pantry with a quick a cozy drink to warm the soul!
I hope you were able to find a few drinks that suite you. Let us know what drinks you made and how they turned out by dropping a comment below! Happy Holidays everyone!
