A Healthy Holiday Party Includes Non-alcoholic Drinks

The holiday season provides a number of opportunities to celebrate with family and friends.  For individuals in recovery, it can also mean situations that challenge their recovery. That’s why, if you are hosting a gathering, be sure to provide non-alcoholic options for your guests.Thanks to our partner Epicurious.com,  here are some suggestions for your holiday get together:

For many, a party isn't really a party without a good drink to enjoy. An alcoholic beverage often seems the obvious choice, but anyone looking for a non-alcoholic option is usually at a loss—and we're not just talking about pregnant women, kids and teens, or teetotalers. And by not providing non-alcoholic party drinks, a host may inadvertently create an unnecessary divide between guests who are partaking of beverages and those who are not. To foster a more inclusive atmosphere, below is some advice that allows everyone to share in celebratory beverages, with or without alcohol.

Holiday Party Tips:

• Prep Just in Time: For drinks that showcase fruit, such as the Strawberry-Kiwi Sangria, prep the day of the event so the fruit's vibrant colors and flavors will be at their best.
• Substitute Freely: When you want a virgin version of an alcoholic cocktail, try the substitutions below. You can start with a 1:1 substitution ratio, but you should experiment and adjust to your personal taste.
  • Beer: white grape juice, ginger ale
  • Cognac: Peach, pear, or apricot nectar or juice
  • Sake: Rice vinegar
  • Tequila: Cactus juice or agave nectar
  • Vodka: White grape juice mixed with lime
• Make Other Offers: Provide at least one special non-alcoholic drink that everyone can enjoy, or serve one fun beverage that can be "spiked," if desired. Another strategy is to set up the bar so that one drink can be made with or without alcohol—for example, the Mojito and Nojito. Another option to consider is serving non-alcoholic beer but keep in mind that by law, "non-alcoholic" beers can contain up to .5 percent alcohol by volume.
• Dress It Up: Non-Alcoholic drinks need just as many accessories as alcoholic ones. Garnish drinks with sprigs of mint, slivers of zest, or any ingredient that ties into the drink itself—for example, fruit skewers-turned-stirrers that guests can assemble themselves.

Non-Alcoholic Drink Recipes:

• Tree Trimming Cider Punch
• Mulled Apple Cider with Orange and Ginger
• Creamy Hot Chocolate

Visit Epicurious.com to get more information on their favorite non-alcoholic drinks.