Hosting an alcohol-free party during the holidays
Holiday parties often involve alcohol – whether it’s sipping wine by the Christmas firelight or toasting in the New Year with a glass of champagne. However, many individuals struggling with sobriety would greatly benefit from a party with alcohol limitations or an alcohol-free party. Thus, if you or someone you love is working through recovery or making every attempt to abstain, www.parstopeka .com (Prevention and Recovery Services) offers a few helpful tips to help guests feel comfortable and ensure that alcohol consumption at any type of party does not become a problem:
- Never pressure anyone to have a drink.
- Offer a selection of non-alcoholic beverages along with plenty of food.
- If you are going to serve alcohol, stop serving alcohol at least one hour prior to the end of the party.
- Do not serve alcohol to an already intoxicated guest.
- Don’t let anyone who is in a drunken condition drive home.
Further, prevention and recovery services posted the following two recipes for “Mock”tails (tantalizing alternatives to alcoholic beverages) to have at an alcohol-free party:
Tropical Heat (serves 10)
4 c. each, cranberry and pineapple juice
1 c. water
Pinch of salt
1/3 c. cinnamon
¾ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp allspice
Cinnamon sticks (10)
Combine spices and water in a saucepan. Stir & bring to a boil. Add fruit juices and heat to boiling. Remove from heat and serve hot at your alcohol-free party with cinnamon stick stirrer in each cup.
Mock Champagne
46 oz. pineapple juice
46 oz. apple juice
12 oz. can lemonade concentrate
½ c. sugar
4 bottles chilled ginger ale
Combine juices, lemonade and sugar; stir well until sugar dissolves. Store in freezer overnight. Remove from freezer 3-4 hours prior to serving at your alcohol-free party. Place in punch bowl and add ginger ale. Do not add ice.
Hosting an alcohol-free party or having a party where there are limits and rules with alcohol assumption will be greatly appreciated by those abstaining from alcohol.