While many people enjoy a night out to drink, there are countless others who have their own personal reasons to avoid alcohol. However, that often leaves them with fewer drink choices—save a glass of water, iced tea, fruit juice, or soda. Fortunately, if you have patrons ordering drinks sans alcohol, there are some ways to impress them that will keep them coming back. Read this guide to non-alcoholic drink ideas everyone will love to learn more.
Frozen Lemonades
As part of this guide to non-alcoholic drinks, you have a wide range of flavors, tastes, and preferences to choose from. The ingredient list is expansive. There are really no wrongs with non-alcoholic drinks.
The only consideration to remember is to refrain from adding spirits or liquors. Not everyone likes alcohol, so it does a disservice to those who want a cleaner, albeit still refreshing drink.
One idea that will draw in crowds, especially on warmer or sunnier days, is a frozen lemonade. Nothing celebrates warm climates more than a refreshing lemonade for parched lips. You can further develop the sour notes with other flavor profiles, such as strawberry or raspberry. Frozen lemonades are fantastic for adults and children alike.
Fruity Punches
If lemonades aren’t your style, consider a fruity punch to add life to the party. A nice glass of frozen TKO-Tropical Punch is the perfect remedy for any sweltering outdoor gathering. Even in bars and restaurants, punch remains a top seller.
Try a traditional fruit punch or switch up the flavor profile for something tropical. Pineapple, blackberries, strawberries, and other fruit juices make great punch ingredients. Another way to add variety to your punch is through a drink mix. Different drink mixes offer a wide variety of flavors to infuse your punch with. Remember: these mixes do not contain alcohol. Other top-selling virgin drink flavors include our Cherry Bomb, Blue Hawaiian, Watermelon, and Cola.
Tea-Infused Concoctions
One flavor you may not have thought about is tea. Various herbal or breakfast teas can make an excellent pairing for punch, lemonade, or as stand-alone drink options. There’s a reason sweet tea remains a popular staple in the American South. The sweetness of added sugar or simple syrup masks the bitterness of black tea.
If you’re looking to cut back on the sugar, you can also create a traditional Arnold Palmer. Named after the famous golfer, these drinks contain half black tea and half lemonade. It’s an excellent flavor pairing that’s both refreshing and excitingly sour for your taste buds. That said, even traditional iced tea is a delightful alcohol-free drink choice everyone will love.
Add Soda for Carbonation
Soda is another crucial consideration in this guide to non-alcoholic drink ideas everyone will love. There are many soda-based creations for both children and adults. Famously, the Shirley Temple, or Kiddy Cocktail, consists of lemon-lime soda and grenadine—often garnished with a maraschino cherry. It has a level of sweetness and carbonation to satisfy anyone who drinks it.
Lemon-lime soda is a fantastic addition to many drinks. It’s a clear soda, meaning it won’t affect the color of your lemonade, punch, or other non-alcoholic drink of choice. The carbonation and notes of citrus add gustatory sensations to liven up a flat beverage.
Colas, root beer, cream soda, and other flavored soda can serve as a perfect drink option at any gathering as a stand-alone beverage or mixer.
Don’t Forget Herbs and Spices
Just because you forgo the alcohol doesn’t mean you can’t spruce up some beverages with herbs and spices. Some green garnish or a few sprinkles of select spices can make a drink stand above the rest.
For instance, mint is a classic herb that pairs well with tea or fruit juice. That’s why mint tea is so prevalent in other parts of the world. Even in the United States, mint juleps are a common drink choice in the Southern US. Of course, you’ll want to avoid the bourbon in this recipe.
You can also add cinnamon to colas or other dark drinks for added taste. Many spices, while available year-round, can further enhance the seasonality of a drink. Cinnamon and allspice go great with warm apple cider, and pumpkin spice is a nifty option for fall coffee or tea. Just keep in mind that herbs and spices can also add texture, so achieving the right balance is essential.
Garnishes Are Always Tasteful
Similarly, you shouldn’t be afraid to spruce up your drinks with some garnishes. Fruit slices, herbs, salt rims, and other extras can make a drink stronger and livelier than it already is. Whether you’re pleasing guests or trying to impress customers, a garnish adds a beautiful aesthetic to the drink.
Conventionally, garnishes will contrast flavors. While not everyone uses garnishes to enhance the taste of the drink, some garnishes, like mint or parsley, can add different notes to a beverage.
Some common garnishes include the following:
- Cinnamon sticks
- Cocoa powder
- Carrot sticks
- Salt or pepper
- Nutmeg
- Citrus or fruit slices
- Olives
Traditional cocktail garnishes can still appease traditionalists, even if you’re avoiding booze in your drinks.
Mocktails for Class and Sweet Tastes
Finally, consider adding a variant to your favorite cocktails simply by excluding the alcohol. These are known as mocktails, a portmanteau on “mock” and “cocktail.”
Mocktails commonly look similar to traditional cocktails. You can craft drinks such as mules, spritzers, mulled drinks, mojitos, sours, and daiquiris without alcohol. Mocktails are a terrific crowd-pleaser for those looking to find some class and sophistication in their beverage without the risk of facing a hangover.
If you want to create non-alcoholic drinks at your bar or restaurant, call Margarita Man for wholesale frozen drink mixes. We have a wide selection of flavors to choose from that feature natural ingredients. We believe your customers should enjoy what they’re drinking, which is why we never use high-fructose corn syrup or other additives. We have our own FDA-registered manufacturer to create flavors and enhance your beverage lineup. Call now with any questions; we’re happy to answer them! With over thirty wonderful flavors to choose from, you are sure to find something perfect for the season. Order now!
