Thanksgiving is a day intended to be spent with family while eating food and drinking delicious drinks. One’s sobriety may pump the brakes when it comes to most of those drinks we think of during the holidays, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t delicious alternatives. Getting creative doesn’t just fill a void, but can become a social and fun way to entertain guests. Family and friends will become curious about what types of beverages you’ll be slinging every year for all to enjoy.
Here are six favorite non-alcoholic drinks recipes to enjoy this Thanksgiving and share with others.
1.’Blood Orange ‘Mojito’
With fall in full bloom, citrus is aplenty. This refreshing “mocktail” is perfect for midday Thanksgivings or to sip on while you stuff yourself with hors d’oeuvres.
Ingredients:
- Ice
- Mint
- Blood Orange juice
- Sugar
- Soda water
- Sprite
- Blood orange wheel
To make:
Take a pint glass (or any tall glass you may have), and pour in the fresh blood orange juice. Next, add two springs of mint and the sugar. With a spoon, stir and mash the mint. Next, fill the glass with ice. Now add your soda water until it is filled most of the way to the top, leaving enough space for a splash of spring. Give it a gentle stir, add your blood orange wheel for garnish and enjoy!
If you do not have blood oranges, use regular oranges with a squeeze of lime.
2. Hot Spiced Cider
Nothing says the holidays like hot apple cider and this one is a favorite (plus, it’s so simple!) Not only will it warm your stomach, but the fragrance will make your house smell delicious, luring your friends and family over for a sip.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 a gallon apple cider (and store bought cider will work)
- 1 Orange
- 5 cinnamon sticks (plus 1 per glass for garnish)
- 3 anise pods
- 2 whole cloves
To make:
Simmer the apple cider, cinnamon sticks, anise and clove until hot (or warm if you prefer it that way). Squeeze in the juice of one orange, and pour into a handled mug or glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and you are ready to sip the holidays. This is probably one of the simpler non-alcoholic drinks recipes your guests are sure to love.
3. Apple Pie Sangria
Refreshing. Festive. Delicious. What more could you want? This drink has the taste of fresh apple pie, but can be enjoyed if you do not want something served warm.
Ingredients:
- 5 cups apple cider
- 2 cups pear nectar
- 1 cup ginger ale
- 1 apple diced
- 1 pear diced
To Make:
Fill a bowl with ice, add all the above ingredients and mix. Make sure when guests serve themselves they get pieces of the fruit. It adds to the apple pie taste. As for non-alcoholic drinks recipes nothing says Thanksgiving like this one!
4. Pomegranate-Raspberry Smash
If you like tart but refreshing, this drink is for you. It tastes good and looks great. A perfect way to kick off your Thanksgiving evening.
Ingredients:
- pint of raspberries
- fruit of one pomegranate
- lemonade
- 1 lemon
- soda water
To Make:
In a bowl, muddle the raspberries and pomegranates. Once completely mashed, pour it through a strainer to remove all the seeds. Now fill a tumbler with crushed ice, pouring 1/2 a cup of the pomegranate-raspberry juice over the top. Add a squeeze of a lemon wedge, top with lemonade and a splash of soda water. Garnish with a lemon twist and good luck only having one.
5. Cranberry Sparkle
This festive drink is fantastic for all the holidays and I love it when proposing a toast. It has the tickle from the bubbles and the tartness of cranberry with a touch of sweet. A definite crowd pleaser.
Ingredients:
- 6 cups of cranberry juice
- 1 cup of orange juice
- 3 cups sparkling apple juice
- orange twist
To Make:
In a pitcher filled with ice, mix the cranberry juice and the orange juice until cold. Pour into a champagne flute, filling it half way. Top the second half with the sparkling apple juice, garnish with an orange twist, then raise that glass and thank your friends for coming to your party.
6- Lemon Fall
For those cold winter nights, sometimes you need something other than cider that will warm you up. This is my go-to and after you try it, it will be your go to as well. And when you guests ask you can let them know this is one of your favorite non-alcoholic drinks recipes.
Ingredients:
- 1 quart of water
- 1 cup of sugar
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/8 cup pineapple juice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/4 teaspoon whole clove
- Lemon wheel (for garnish)
To Make:
In a pot over medium-low heat, combine the water, sugar, spices and juices. Heat for 1-2 hours, or until heated through and the spices have released their oils and are fragrant. Serve in a handled mug or glass and garnish with a fresh lemon wheel. Feel the warmth.
