Serve These Festive Non-Alcoholic Drinks at Your Next Holiday Party
As a host, you may be used to asking all of your invited guests about their dietary restrictions or preferences—but asking about beverage preferences is a bit trickier than that. While you certainly might curate a menu specifically for your attending guests, making a wider selection of festive drinks is the best way to make all of your guests feel welcome and at ease this holiday season. Keep the bar well-stocked with mixed drinks and cocktails, as well as the ingredients necessary to make a few of these specially crafted non-alcoholic drinks that all guests of all ages can enjoy.
Some of these mocktail ideas are direct translations of their alcoholic counterpoints, including the collection of sparklers and ciders on this list. One way to ensure there's a myriad of options for everyone in your party is to create a big batch of one of these non-alcoholic drinks and then divide it in two; one will remain free of alcohol, while you can add your choice of spirits into the other. All of these drink ideas are deliciously rich and refreshing both with and without hard liquor.
Other recipes in this collection have been specially designed to please some of your pickiest guests, including small children. They feel just as refined and fun as classic holiday cocktails, and they're tasty enough that everyone will want a glass. From pomegranate to cranberry, there are plenty of seasonal flavors harnessed in these drinks—plus, we've added a few classics (cider included!) for those who love tradition. Regardless of which sips you choose to serve, they all pair well with one of our curated holiday menus perfect for entertaining a large crowd throughout the festive season.
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Pink Grapefruit "Margaritas"
This nonalcoholic pink drink is a great treat for children during festive occasions. We garnished the glass with sanding sugar—a large-grain decorative sugar—but granulated sugar may be substituted if necessary.
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Pomegranate Soda
This blushed drink is refreshment with a cherry on top! It combines fresh pomegranate juice with sparkling club soda and sugar for a sweet, fizzy treat.
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Black-Currant Cider Sparklers
Lemon juice and black-currant juice come together in a tart sip. This bright, nonalcoholic drink can also be made with pomegranate, cranberry, or grape juice if you don't have access to fresh currant juice.
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Mulled Cranberry Cocktail
Our editors will serve this soul-warming drink as a dessert after a plate of holiday grub. You can also drink it instead of tea on a frigid afternoon.
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Apple-Pie Cider
Season your cider with the same spices you would use in a pie—cinnamon, allspice, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg—and then heat it up. If you'd like, pour in brandy for those who'd like some, and add a cinnamon stick to each mug for stirring.
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Rosy Cranberry Cider
Greet guests arriving for a chilly-weather gathering with a warm cocktail, like this spiced cranberry drink. A cinnamon stick can be used as a flavorful stirrer.
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Mulled Cider
Heat up your holiday meal—or any occasion—with our spiced apple drink. The flavors develop even more if you steep a batch at least four hours before your guests arrive.
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Peppermint Hot Chocolate
A classic take on a holiday must-have, this flavored hot chocolate is rich as it is sweet; garnish your little one's cup with a peppermint stick for extra fun.
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Steamy Hot Chocolate
Sometimes, kids just want the simplest option out there—and this hot chocolate is a tried-and-true favorite. We melt cocoa powder and chocolate chips from the cupboard together before adding vanilla and a pinch of salt.
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Cherry Bombs
Offer guests a choice of alcohol-free drinks, including the Cranberry Sparkler, Apple-Pie Cider, and Peppermint Hot Chocolate.