Non-Alcoholic Drinks for Your Labor Day Celebration

Ah, Labor Day. When we'd all like to do anything but labor. Laze around all day, play with the kids, barbecue, take a dip in the pool .... but nooooo laboring. Well, for a lot of us, a nice cocktail is a welcome addition to whatever form of non-labor with which we fill out our Labor Day. But what if you don't drink alcohol? Or what if you are entertaining guests who do not partake in such libations?

Good news, teetotalers. The party does not have to stop! Here are some simple yet delicious recipes for your safe and non-alcoholic Labor Day enjoyment.

1. Banana Berry Smoothie

Here's a real beauty of a non-alcoholic drink for nice cool refreshment with fruity pizzazz.

Blend:

1 cup of milk
3 strawberries
1 tsp of honey
1 banana
1 tbsp of vanilla yogurt

You're going to blend all of these ingredients in a blender and puree them until smooth. Use fresh ingredients and the colder the milk and yogurt, the better. Serve chilled.

2. Strawberry Labor Day Lassi

You'll use similar ingredients for the Lassi as with the above Smoothie recipe, but the superstars of this Labor Day recipe are strawberries! Yum

You'll need:

9 strawberries
1/4 cup of milk
2 tbsp sugar
1 cup low-fat yogurt

Cut 3 of your strawberries into small pieces. Set them aside, and put your remaining strawberries in a blender with the sugar. Blend on HIGH for 30 seconds. Add the milk and blend for an additional 30 seconds. Now, add your yogurt and blend yet again on HIGH for another 60 seconds.

Pour the Labor Day Lassi into 3 glasses and garnish with the strawberry pieces you cut earlier. Serve this wonderful drink to your guests' delight.

3. Pineapple Jupiter

This unique-tasting cocktail will undoubtedly impress and please your Labor Day guests.

You'll need:

2/3 cup cold milk
6 oz frozen pineapple juice concentrate
1 tbsp sugar
About 6-7 ice cubes
1/3 cup cold water
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 chopped banana
ground cinnamon

Gathering the ingredients is the most involved part of preparing this non-alcoholic Labor Day recipe. Simply blend all of these ingredients except for the cinnamon in a blender until smooth. Pour, sprinkle the top of the drink with cinnamon. Be sure to serve immediately.

and finally...

4. Shirley's Sister

Party-goers who don't drink alcohol are no doubt familiar with the Shirley Temple. Well, here's a delectable twist on the classic non-alcoholic cocktail that tastes like dessert! Happy Labor Day!

You'll need:

3 oz of lemonade
2 tbsp strawberry ice cream
3/4 oz of grenadine
1 tsp chocolate syrup
1 strawberry
Ice

Fill a highball glass halfway with broken ice. Pour the grenadine and lemonade into the glass. Now finish filling the glass with ice cream. Top with chocolate syrup, garnish it with the strawberry, and make someone very VERY happy on Labor Day!