We love crafting festive holiday cocktails, but when hosting a big Christmas party, it's a good idea to make sure you've got some non-alcoholic options as well. You'll probably have some sodas or hot cocoa for the kids, but there are so many great non-alcoholic spirits and mocktails out there these days. Why not add a fun mocktail to the drink menu?
Adding a non-alcoholic drink to your holiday festivities is a simple way to make sure everyone's included at your Christmas party. Some people can't drink alcohol, some choose not to, and it's a great idea to have something guests can to switch to after having had a cocktail. It also adds another kid-friendly option to the mix.
To help you have the merriest Christmas party for all of your guests, here are our best adult-ish drinks—not just sodas—that look good in a fancy glass, taste good, and won't leave you feeling bad the next morning. How's that for a reason to party?
Coquitos are a creamy and rich rum-based cocktail with warm and cozy spices similar to eggnog but without the eggs. To make a non-alcoholic version, use your favorite nonalcoholic rum, or replace the rum in this recipe with coconut milk.
Sometimes when you are at a party you just want a fizzy drink with a citrus wheel in your hand! But we also get not wanting the side-effects of a boozy drink. So reach for a light and fizzy drink made with cranberry juice, ginger beer, and sparkling cider. You'll thank us!
Guests won't miss the rum in this twist on the holiday classic. Made from flattened cream soda, spices, and of course butter it's still just as luxurious.
Skip the vodka or put the bottle on the side and those that partake can simple add their town. We all know that fresh apple cider is good enough on it's own and with a hint of ginger it's even better! Get the recipe for Fresh Cider Mule.
Mulled wine, warming and not-too-sweet, is a classic and homey drink to sip on a cold December day. If you're skipping the alcohol you can simply use a non-alcoholic red wine — or you can use a combination of dark red juices, such as cherry, pomegranate, and craberry. 4 cups of juice will replace the wine — and you can skip the sugar.
Punch is a great party drink! Guests can serve themselves, freeing you up to mingle.
To make a non-alcoholic version of this, swap the rum for 2 more cups of cranberry juice, then use a sparkling cider, such as Martinelli's, in place of the wine.
Here's a traditional method for making hot chocolate — no powders or boiling water — that is luscious and thick, and made even more decadent with fresh coffee. It's the perfect after dinner pick-me-up.
A hot mulled drink is a holiday treasure. Though this calls for dry white, there are three options, all equally good. First, you can use a nonalcoholic white. If that's not available, white grape juice will work—though, because it's sweet already, you can skip the honey (or taste it, while cooking, and add just a little back in for flavor). Finally, you can use a chai tea, which will pair well with the flavors here.
Skip the booze that the recipe calls for. What's left is a hot, delicious spiced apple cider that you can make in minutes in an Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker.
Here's a party drink that's adult enough to please the grownups, but without the headache-causing alcohol. It's ideal mixed with just a little club soda.
A non-alcoholic sparkling cider, such as Martinelli's will sub in all the fizz and flavor you need when making this recipe alcohol-free. But it's the iconic fruit-filled bundt-pan ice ring that really makes it festive.
This combo of tea steeped in hot cider is both comforting and reviving. To keep it family-friendly, simply skip the suggested bourbon. If you like, add a teaspoon of alcohol-free vanilla extract to the pot, to replace.
The secret to making this surprisingly complex spritzer from Nashville's Pinewood Social lies in the two-ingredient Saigon Cinnamon Syrup you make ahead of time. It takes a little prep, but the results are very worthwhile.
This easy-but-elegant drink can be tossed together out of ingredients you might have on-hand. But it's also just a little classier than a can of soda water. Don't forget the garnish!