New Year's Eve Party: Non-alcoholic Drinks

Nothing says good times better than "party", and what would a party be without a good strong drink? There are many good reasons not to drink though - maybe you're the designated driver, pregnant or nursing, or just want a non-alcoholic drink. Does that mean you have to miss the fun, sitting there empty-handed or just stay home on New Year's Eve?

The "Lite" of the Party

Of course not! And think of how popular you'll be with everyone else who can't have the alcohol. I used to get invited to parties all the time by the girlfriends of the party crowd, just so they had a

choice. Here are a few tricks to skip the alcohol and still have a great party drink.

Playing Mind Games

Half of drinking is social and psychological. If you're holding a drink and ready to let loose, it doesn't really matter what you're drinking. It has to meet your expectations, and blend in with what the other people are doing and you'll be as high as anyone else. So think about what is popular with your crowd. Do they drink beer? Tropical drinks? Is there a theme to the party? Do you have a particular alcohol you like?

Now you want to get as close as you can with the taste and the appearance. One of the best tricks is to use the same type of container and go for the same color of drinks. If the theme is tropical and there are drinks in hollowed-out pineapples, get one too. Big plastic cups in bright colors - grab one! Short glasses or shots? Yeah, baby!

The taste can be a little harder, but not too difficult. If you've had the drink you're copying before, you know what it tastes like, and what your specific alcohol tastes like too. If not, smell the drink - most of your 'flavor' really comes from the smell. So get a bit of a feel for the flavor, and then find something that comes close.

Some examples:

Rum is fermented sugar cane, so mix a little lemon and brown sugar.

Vodka doesn't have much flavor, so forget it, or use a little soda water.

Wine - grape juice and soda water.

Virgin Long Island Ice Tea

Coca-Cola® or Iced Tea

Sweet & Sour Mix or a dash of lemon

Beer

Non-alcoholic beers (put them in a sleeve so you don't keep seeing 'Near Beer'!)

-or-

Coca-Cola® and lemonade (in equal parts)

Tequila Sunrise

Orange Juice

Dash of lemon

Grenadine

Mai Tai

Orange Juice

Pineapple Juice

Sprinkle of Brown Sugar

Dash of Grenadine or Cranberry Juice

You're all set for a great party, without the alcohol. Just remember the looks too! Pick a similar glass, and look at garnishing that will add to the effect - a slice of lemon, a cherry, ice cubes.

Then relax and have a good time. Hide your stash if you need to so your friends don't razz you about your choice, or let everyone know and be the drink-maker for anyone who doesn't want alcohol. But mostly, have a great party!

List of sources:

Buddy T., "The Dangers of Non-Alcoholic Beer", About.com