Planning

Food & Drinks

Non-alcoholic Drinks

Alternatives to alcohol can still offer guests a good glass to party with.

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Whether it's for the sake of health, religion or lifestyle, anywhere between about a quarter and a third of Canadians say they don't drink alcohol, according to the range cited in most recent health surveys.

Responsible hosts should always offer alternatives for those who don't drink, but there there's no reason not to offer a little extra excitement to help raise the glass, from mocktails to no-buzz suds.

Here are a few of our suggestions for the reception and other wedding-related events:

• De-alcoholized wines and bubbly: With a growing selection available in Canada, these wines are processed after a traditional fermentation but may still legally contain up to 0.5% of alcohol. Leading labels include the Frewines line from California's Sutter Home winery, which includes blended reds and whites, chardonnay, white zinfandel, merlot, as well as a fizzy sparkling brut and Spumante.

• Near-beers: You won't have any trouble finding no-buzz suds for those who wish to raise a glass in your honour without worrying about side effects. There is a wide selection of nonalcoholic beers available in liquor stores and in supermarkets, but they still may contain up to 0.5% alcohol.
  
  
• Mocktails: Consider offering a selection of non-alcoholic mixed drinks that look and taste like cocktails, but without the alcohol. These are always fun to serve and can be enjoyed by guests of all ages. For a sampling of recipes that may inspire you, check out the BC Liquor Stores' online suggestions, including a drink appropriately called the the Love Potion, blending frozen raspberries, strawberries and grape juice.

• Water, water, everywhere: Flavoured and sparkling waters have been a trendy favorite for years. Clearly Canadian has reinvented its sparkling-water lineup with mildly flavored effervescent clear beverages like Strawberry-Melon, Blackberry, Cherry and Grape. Have the bartender offer a splash of club soda, ginger ale or citrus soda along with a nice garnish for variety.

• Punch this!: A great big bowl of nonalcoholic punch is a gracious old-fashioned favorite that's enjoying a retro revival. Allowing guests to serve themselves is a great icebreaker, too. A beautiful punch bowl (whether it's a heirloom or rented) decorated with ribbons and floral garlands can be an eye-catching addition to the decor, and lends a touch of elegance to a shower or reception. Float fruit slices and edible flowers in the punch for color. You can find recipes in most well-rounded cook books.

• Energy Drinks: If you're thinking your reception might turn into an all-night dance party, take a cue from the kids in the techno scene by serving so-called energy drinks. Loaded with vitamins, herbs and caffeine and other ingredients, these drinks—with names like Go-Go and WhoopAss—make claims to fend off physical and mental fatigue. While they are not for everyone (some brands have actually been banned from Canada due to medicinal claims), they certainly can add a drop of "cool" to a non-conservative party scene.

Whatever the theme of your party, serving a few imaginative nonalcoholic drinks simply makes sense, and the nondrinkers will appreciate the alternative to the usual ho-hum selection of bottled water, soda and juice. With festive and enticing libations in hand, all your guests will enjoy lifting a glass to their hosts.

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