If you’re the type of couple that wants to keep it light and alcohol-free, then these non-alcoholic drinks should be on your lists of
must haves at your wedding reception.
So, you’re planning out what beverage to serve during your wedding reception. Well, most couples usually opt for the traditional booze party – but this isn’t necessary, especially in today’s wellness-obsessed society. Whether you’re leaning towards supplementing alcoholic offerings or completely replacing it, non-alcoholic drinks should be included in your plan.
Also, if you’re on a tight budget, this would be your best option – since serving alcohol can be a bit pricey. In addition, if you think about it, most of the guests will be driving and others just might not want to drink alcohol for medical or personal reasons. So be considerate, and offer alcohol-free drinks so that everyone can toast and be happy – without getting wasted.
Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Here are some of our recommendations of drinks to include in your sober reception:
- Flavored Seltzers: Seltzers are also called soda water or carbonated water. There is a variety of store-bought soda water that is flavored but you can also make your own flavored seltzer. The flavor can be anything from berries, citrus, etc. You can just buy plain seltzer and make it to any flavor you want.
- Fruit Juices & Smoothies: What could be more healthy than making fresh fruit juice and smoothies for everyone. A very refreshing drink for any age.
- Limeade: A very easy and hydrating drink. Just mix water, limes, and sugar. Don’t forget lots of ice to make it more tasty and refreshing.
- Floats & Milkshakes: For the guests that want to satisfy their sweet tooths. A bit of ice cream won’t do any harm and perfect for young guests.
- Sodas: It is better to include the usual favorites or a variety for the guests to choose from.
- Iced Tea & Hot Tea: You can either buy ready to drink iced tea or make your own. On the other hand, some guests like some tea after a hearty meal. Make a corner that is available for them to make some hot tea.
- Coffee & Hot Chocolate: Best served during cold weathers especially if you’re planning on holding your wedding during winter.
- Ginger Ale or Ginger Beer: Sounds alcoholic but it’s actually not.
- Water: This is probably the safest, cheapest and healthiest drink that you can serve at your wedding. Although there are more choices that are fancier, water should always be available during the reception.
- Mocktails: You can just pick out your favorites and serve it or have it available at the bar. Below are some famous mocktail drinks that you can try out.
Mocktails
By the name of it, mocktails mock the cocktails. They look like cocktails but they are not. These are fun to have especially when you still want people to enjoy drinks but keeping it sober. They are also called virgin drinks. Here is a list of some simple cocktails that you can make for your wedding reception.
1. Shirley Temple
A safe drink for kids and also named after a child star during the 1930s.
Ingredients
- 7.5 ml of Grenadine (for that famous red look)
- Some Ginger ale, Sprite or 7UP
- Mix them together, add some ice, and garnish it with a cherry or lemon wedge.
2. Independence Punch
This red, blue, and white drink
Ingredients
- Cranberry juice
- Blue Gatorade frost
- Diet 7UP
- Ice
- Pour the contents slowly and carefully in this order to make the stack possible: Fill glass with ice, cranberry juice, blue Gatorade, and 7UP.
3. Mock Mojito
A clear cool looking drink with green contrast from the mint sprigs.
Ingredients
- 4-5 sprigs of mints
- 1 lime
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 6-8 oz soda water
- Mix the mint and simple syrup at the bottom of the glass. Squeeze half a lime into the glass and then pour the soda water. Mix it up and drop some lime wedges and ice in the drink.
4. Cuddles on the Beach
A mock of the Sex on the Beach cocktail.
Ingredients
- 3 oz cranberry juice
- 3 oz white grapefruit juice
- 2 oz peach nectar
- Mix them together and add some ice. You can add soda water if you want a bubbly version of the drink.
5. Cranberry Coke
If you like the taste of Cherry Coke, then you would probably like this.
Ingredients
- Just a mixture of 3/4 Coke
- 1/4 cranberry juice
- A drop of vanilla extract
6. Arizona Sunset
A beautiful sunset drink for all ages.
Ingredients
- Grenadine
- orange juice
- Sprite
- Mix the juice and sprite in a separate container. Add ice and a bit of Grenadine in a glass then carefully pour the juice sprite mixture in the glass.
Tips and Tricks
Here are some hacks on how to still have an awesome looking party with non-alcoholic drinks.
- Use proper glassware: Serve mocktails in the same glasses in which you would present their alcoholic counterparts. It would be more pleasing to the eyes of the partygoers, rather than holding a drink that just looks strange.
- Have a beverage station: It is better to have a station with just one server looking out rather than hiring a lot of waiters walking around. Above all, it saves up money and guests have the chance to mingle around.
- Garnished drinks: What is more attractive that garnishing your drinks with fresh fruits and herbs. It is pleasing to the eye and also adds more flavor to the drink as well.
- Have an open bar: Arrange a bar that only serves non-alcoholic drinks. This gives everyone especially the guests a chance to pick their own drink and not having to worry about someone not being served a glass.
- Keep drinks cold: No matter what drink you serve, as long as it is cold, it can satisfy a person’s thirst. Make sure someone is checking on the drinks if they are served cold. No one wants to drink lukewarm water on a hot sunny day.
Conclusion
To conclude, it is possible to still enjoy your wedding reception without any alcohol involved. There are a lot of varieties of non-alcoholic drinks that will make your guests satisfied and leave your party with a smile on their faces. What makes your wedding fun are the people present and how they enjoy celebrating your special day with you.
His Expertise Includes:
- 8 years working in the wedding industry
- Owner of USA DJ a wedding service provider URL: https://usadj.org
- Former groom with first-hand experience planning his own wedding
For the better part of the last decade, Jason has personally helped countless couples create successful wedding.
Since 2018 he has devoted much of his time to creating Smartest Brides with his wife Rachel. His mission is to help remove the stress and anxiety that normally comes with wedding planning by making the process simple.
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