Thanksgiving is one of those feel-good holidays when we gather with loved ones to celebrate and give thanks for our many blessings. Thanksgiving has even more significance for someone in early recovery — newfound sobriety is a special gift.
While you’re deep into Thanksgiving party planning, pay special attention to the beverages on the menu. Whether it is you or a loved one who’s in recovery, it is important to exercise care when selecting the drinks. Need some recipe inspiration for your menu? Give these festive nonalcoholic drinks a try for your Thanksgiving soirée.
Tasty nonalcoholic drinks to serve during Thanksgiving
The good news is that there is an abundance of delicious nonalcoholic beverages to choose from for your Thanksgiving gathering. Consider these three:
Thanksgiving Punch
Ingredients
- Two quarts apple cider
- One cup spiced syrup
- Two cups frozen cranberries, divided
- One medium apple, sliced
- One medium orange, sliced
- Two (11 ounce) cans of chilled sparkling blood orange juice
- Two (25 ounce) bottle of sparkling grape juice
- Cinnamon sticks for garnish
Steps:
- Combine the apple cider and spiced syrup in a large pitcher and stir well.
- Add half of the frozen cranberries and all of the apple and orange slices. Cover and refrigerate overnight (minimum 3–4 hours). Save the remaining frozen cranberries for a later step.
- When it is time to serve, pour the mocktail into a large punch bowl.
- Add the sparkling blood orange and grape juices. Stir to combine.
- Ladle the punch into individual glasses, adding some of the frozen cranberries to help keep the beverage cold. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Rosemary and Ginger Mule
Ingredients
- One cup water
- One cup granulated sugar
- One cup rosemary sprigs, loosely packed
- One (Seven and a half ounce) can of nonalcoholic ginger beer
- One tablespoon fresh lime juice (from one lime)
- Ice
- Rosemary sprig and a fresh lime wheel for garnish
Steps:
- Prepare the rosemary syrup by bringing water, sugar and the rosemary sprigs to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Boil until sugar is dissolved — about one minute. Remove from heat, cover and steep for about 30 minutes. Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a glass or jar, discarding the rosemary.
- Stir together ginger beer, two tablespoons of rosemary syrup, and lime juice in a copper mug filled with ice until the mug is frosty — about 30 seconds. Lightly smack the rosemary sprig against the palm to release natural oils. Garnish with rosemary and lime wheel.
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Ingredients
- Two cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- Two tablespoons of pumpkin puree, or more to taste. You can use store-bought pumpkin puree, or make your own from scratch
- One to three tablespoons sugar to taste
- One tablespoon vanilla extract
- Half a teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- Half a cup of strong hot coffee
- Whipped cream for garnish
Steps:
- Add milk, pumpkin puree, and sugar to a saucepan over medium heat. Heat until hot, but do not boil. Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the vanilla, pumpkin pie spice and coffee. These measurements make two drinks, but you can adjust the ingredients to accommodate the number of guests.
- Pour into festive mugs and top with whipped cream and sprinkle pumpkin pie spice.
Whether you are in recovery — or have a family member in recovery — planning an alcohol-free Thanksgiving is both thoughtful and supportive. With delicious Thanksgiving beverages like these on hand, no one will miss the alcohol!
Ashley Addiction Treatment, formerly Father Martin’s Ashley, is a nationally recognized nonprofit leader in integrated, evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders. Our programs are accredited by The Joint Commission, and result in frequent publications of ongoing research into effective treatment methodologies. We offer holistic care that encompasses the mind, body and spirit through inpatient and outpatient treatment, provide drug detox, relapse prevention plans, family wellness programs and a variety of other services tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Our driving principle — “everything for recovery” — reinforces our mission to transform and save lives through the science of medicine, the art of therapy and the compassion of spirituality, and is complemented by our philosophy of healing with respect and dignity. For information about our comprehensive programs, please call 866-313-6307.