Angela says, "This is a super-antioxidant tea and the lavender and chamomile make it especially soothing to the central nervous system. Honey has lots of great enzymes that our bodies love and it just tastes really good."

• 3 bags green tea (I use Good Earth green tea w/lemongrass)
• 3 bags chamomile tea
• honey to taste
• 2 tbsp dried lavender blossoms (organic)

Boil 2-3 cups of water and steep the tea bags for 15-20 minutes.

Add honey to sweeten. Put lavender blossoms in for no more than 5 minutes - they will scald and lose their yummy smell and taste after that. Drain through a strainer, add water to 1/2 gallon, refrigerate, and enjoy!

Recipe list
 

Owen B's "All Time Smoothie"

Owen says, "Here is my favourite smoothie of all time:

• 400ml Soya milk (Alceon's note: that's 1 & 2/3 to 1 & 3/4 cups depending on which Internet cooking source you look at)
• 2 bananas
• Big dollop of peanut butter (a heaped dessert spoon at least)
• A dessert spoon of agave syrup (or honey if you're not vegan)

"Blend and Drink!

"It's got to be at least 700 calories, so it's not for anyone who is overweight. This vegan smoothie is a bit of a hit because people who I've made it for don't hesitate to ask for it again."

Recipe list
 

Sober Sailor's DOUCH (pronounced Doog)

Sober Sailor says, " This yoghurt based beverage is a staple in many parts of the Middle East during the hot summer months.

"It's an acquired taste so don't give up after the first sip - it took me 2 servings before I was hooked on it.

"In a mixer or tall glass or jug combine 1/3 natural yoghurt and 2/3 water. (You can also experiment with non-sweetened sparkling water.) Add salt to taste - 1/4 teaspoon per serving to begin with and a dash of crushed mint per serving.

"Stir well and chill.

"A bottled, carbonated version of this beverage is available in most Persian delis and restaurants. Unlike sweetened beverages like soda pop, this one keeps your thirst quenched."

Recipe list
 

Four simple steps and you've made your lemonade from scratch! No preservatives -- just the real thing!

1. Squeeze juice from about 6 medium lemons (no seeds) into a bowl.
2. Add lemon juice to 1 cup sugar and 7 cups cold water in a large pitcher. Stir together until dissolved.
3. Boil one cup water and then add in the lemon rinds. Let cool.
4. Remove the lemon rinds and then dump the cooled water into the pitcher. Stir and refrigerate.

Drink with fresh lemon slices.

Recipe list
 

FreshAir sent this idea and says “I LOVE THIS DRINK!” 

“First” she says, “I brew a condensed concoction of herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage, bay leaves, peppercorns, and some sugar. Strain and store in an old balsamic vinegar bottle in the fridge so it can be sprinkled.”

“Fill a glass with ice. Put in 1/2 - 1 1/2 teaspoons of GOOD dark balsamic vinegar. Put in a few sprinkles of "herbal" essence. Pour club soda or seltzer water over. I think I like Canada Dry club soda the best.” 

“This is one of the few drinks that actually satisfies my cravings for wine. It goes great with gourmet meals. The clinking of the ice in the crystal is pleasing. It is a drink that you don't gulp but you can have seconds or thirds and won't have a black out!!! I use a Waterford crystal highball glass because it reminds me I am crystal clear and special! (I also use sherry vinegar - it's non-alcoholic or fig-infused white balsamic. You can experiment with different vinegars, the herb mixture or leave it out.)”
 

FreshAir's TRIPLE-LIME

FreshAir says this is her “Favorite warm weather drink.”

Pour Lime Perrier over ice with a wedge of lime and a nice big splash of Rose's Lime Juice (non-alcoholic).

If you can't find Lime Perrier, you can also use plain seltzer or sparkling water -- just add more Rose's Lime Juice.

Recipe list

Drink More Water!

Another hint from FreshAir:

“About those individual Canada Dry Club Soda bottles (8 oz. glass) - I peel the label off and fill with water. Keep a bunch in my fridge. I grab one whenever I think about it knowing I can handle 8 oz. of water anytime (sometimes those big bottles are tedious!) and I like the idea it's glass, not plastic (no plastic chemicals leaching). My husband has even taken to grabbing one instead of a diet coke.” 

And Alceon adds: I do the same thing with empty "Snapple" bottles. They're a little larger (16 oz) and also made of glass, so no worry about chemicals from plastic containers. 

Water seems more appealing when it's cold and pre-bottled, even if you do it yourself!

Recipe list
 

“Here's a beware: many bartenders think making a bitters cocktail is a non-alcoholic substitute for clientele who request a drink that appears to be alcoholic (bitters, club soda, lemon twist)." 

" 'BITTERS' CONTAINS ALCOHOL. We non-drinkers need to educate ourselves to know what is and what is not alcoholic.”

Recipe list

Dodo's Festive Sober Punch with Ice Ring 

This fruity, fizzy and festive concoction is a great party idea. Build it to suit your taste with your favorite fruit beverages and sodas!

All amounts can be varied to taste, or to fit in your punchbowl.  As the level went down over the course of the evening, I added more ginger ale and cranberry juice cocktail.

• 1 liter ginger ale
• 1 liter lemon-lime seltzer
• 1 liter orange juice
• 1liter cranberry juice
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1 batch (1 liter/quart) of limeade (You can also use simple syrup,   1 cup lime juice and water, or you can use any recipe for canned frozen limeade.)
  

As desired:  smaller amounts of grapefruit juice, pink lemonade, 7-Up, etc.  I think it tastes good with a variety of fruit juices plus the fizzy water.

Festive ice ring:  Make room in the freezer, and early in the day, start layering fruit and plain water (or juice) in a bundt pan (ring-shaped metal cake pan).  I arranged whole raspberries in the bottom of the pan, gently covered them in water, and froze it.  Then a layer of pineapple rings and orange slices, then more water.  When the ice ring is hard, you can get it out by turning it upside-down and running warm water over the pan.  This is very pretty floating in the punch bowl!                                

Recipe list

Three Summer Spritzers 
(from Recipes with a Healthy Perspective, Edited by Lifescan, Inc.)

For all three spritzers, mix well and serve over ice.

• Cranberry:   2 C. low-cal cranberry juice cocktail and 2 C. diet lemon-lime soda.

• Lemon:   3/4 C. fresh lemon juice, 4 c. sparkling water, 1/3 C sugar or equivalent sweeter (8 packets Equal, for example).

• Citrus:   1/2 C EACH unsweetened grapefruit juice and orange juice, 2 C diet lemon-lime soda, 2 TBSP or equivalent sweetener (3 packets Splenda, for example).

Recipe list
 

• 1 + 1/2 cups skim milk
• 1 medium sized cold or frozen banana
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 10 medium - large frozen strawberries OR you can substitute any frozen fruit you desire. 

MaryAnn says:  "Raspberries (1/2 cup or so) TASTE GREAT!, but you won't get nearly the vitamin C as from strawberries."  She adds:  "This drink with toast (Brownberry's whole grain whole wheat is the best!), bagel, or English muffin (I also take a multi-vitamin) makes a great breakfast.  It's healthy, light and easily digestible even for those who don't 'do' breakfast.   Remember, breakfast is your most important meal!"

Recipe list

Bonnie's Mocktails

• Silver Fizz
• Tom Collins
• Cranberry Fizz
• Cranberry Punch
• Mulled Apple Juice
• Virgin Caesar
• Virgin Mary
• Virgin Chi Chi
  
  Silver Fizz:

Juice of 1/2 lemon, 1 tsp sugar, soda, egg white (fresh or powdered). Blend all except soda and pour over ice.  Top with soda.   Garnish with lemon slice.

Mocktail list

Tom Collins:

3/4 oz lemon juice, 1tsp. powdered sugar, soda
Shake and pour over ice.

Mocktail list

Cranberry Fizz:

Cranberry juice, soda.  Build in a tall glass over ice.

Mocktail list

Cranberry Punch:

2 bottles cranberry juice, 1 liter soda or 7-Up, 1 liter OJ.    Build in a punch bowl with lots of ice or a small block of ice. Garnish with fruit slices.

Mocktail list

Mulled Apple Juice:

2 liters apple juice, 5 cinnamon sticks, 1 tsp. nutmeg, 5 whole cloves.  Simmer slowly over low heat for 30 minutes (don't boil) Serve in decorative mugs with cinnamon stick and apple wedge.  Can add a bit of butter and honey.

Mocktail list

Virgin Caesar:

Clamato juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tobasco, salt and pepper.  Build in a tall glass over ice.  Can salt rim with salt or celery salt and garnish with lime, lemon, celery - whatever.

Mocktail list

Virgin Mary:

All links will open in a new window, so just click the "X" in the upper right corner to close that window and return here.
	The Bottled Water Industry Web Portal is an interesting group of pages that tells about the difference between European bottled waters and American, about sparkling (carbonated or natural) and still (springs, wells, waterworks) and more.  You can find out more about your favorite brand (if it's nationally distributed) by clicking on links.
	Gourmet Drinks  Check out this link for elegant non-alcoholic beverages.  Answers the burning question, "What do I serve with filet mignon and foie gras to a guest who cannot drink wine?"
	Go to Flora's Hideout to find Flora's Collection.  "This one has ALL KINDS of drinks, none of which contain alcohol."  ~Carol2
	Cooking.com has a page of books you can buy containing recipes for non-alcoholic beverages.
	Epicurious' Non-alcoholic Drinks Collection  Bob R. says, "This enormous recipe site no longer permits browsing of all its nonalcoholic beverage recipes, but try a simple search like 'water'."

Top of Page

Sober Sailor says, " This yoghurt based beverage is a staple in many parts of the Middle East during the hot summer months.

"It's an acquired taste so don't give up after the first sip - it took me 2 servings before I was hooked on it.

"In a mixer or tall glass or jug combine 1/3 natural yoghurt and 2/3 water. (You can also experiment with non-sweetened sparkling water.) Add salt to taste - 1/4 teaspoon per serving to begin with and a dash of crushed mint per serving.

"Stir well and chill.

"A bottled, carbonated version of this beverage is available in most Persian delis and restaurants. Unlike sweetened beverages like soda pop, this one keeps your thirst quenched."

Recipe list

Four simple steps and you've made your lemonade from scratch! No preservatives -- just the real thing!

1. Squeeze juice from about 6 medium lemons (no seeds) into a bowl.
2. Add lemon juice to 1 cup sugar and 7 cups cold water in a large pitcher. Stir together until dissolved.
3. Boil one cup water and then add in the lemon rinds. Let cool.
4. Remove the lemon rinds and then dump the cooled water into the pitcher. Stir and refrigerate.

Drink with fresh lemon slices.

Recipe list
 

FreshAir sent this idea and says “I LOVE THIS DRINK!” 

“First” she says, “I brew a condensed concoction of herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage, bay leaves, peppercorns, and some sugar. Strain and store in an old balsamic vinegar bottle in the fridge so it can be sprinkled.”

“Fill a glass with ice. Put in 1/2 - 1 1/2 teaspoons of GOOD dark balsamic vinegar. Put in a few sprinkles of "herbal" essence. Pour club soda or seltzer water over. I think I like Canada Dry club soda the best.” 

“This is one of the few drinks that actually satisfies my cravings for wine. It goes great with gourmet meals. The clinking of the ice in the crystal is pleasing. It is a drink that you don't gulp but you can have seconds or thirds and won't have a black out!!! I use a Waterford crystal highball glass because it reminds me I am crystal clear and special! (I also use sherry vinegar - it's non-alcoholic or fig-infused white balsamic. You can experiment with different vinegars, the herb mixture or leave it out.)”

FreshAir's TRIPLE-LIME

FreshAir says this is her “Favorite warm weather drink.”

Pour Lime Perrier over ice with a wedge of lime and a nice big splash of Rose's Lime Juice (non-alcoholic).

If you can't find Lime Perrier, you can also use plain seltzer or sparkling water -- just add more Rose's Lime Juice.

Recipe list

Drink More Water!

Another hint from FreshAir:

“About those individual Canada Dry Club Soda bottles (8 oz. glass) - I peel the label off and fill with water. Keep a bunch in my fridge. I grab one whenever I think about it knowing I can handle 8 oz. of water anytime (sometimes those big bottles are tedious!) and I like the idea it's glass, not plastic (no plastic chemicals leaching). My husband has even taken to grabbing one instead of a diet coke.” 

And Alceon adds: I do the same thing with empty "Snapple" bottles. They're a little larger (16 oz) and also made of glass, so no worry about chemicals from plastic containers. 

Water seems more appealing when it's cold and pre-bottled, even if you do it yourself!

Recipe list

“Here's a beware: many bartenders think making a bitters cocktail is a non-alcoholic substitute for clientele who request a drink that appears to be alcoholic (bitters, club soda, lemon twist)." 

" 'BITTERS' CONTAINS ALCOHOL. We non-drinkers need to educate ourselves to know what is and what is not alcoholic.”

Recipe list

Dodo's Festive Sober Punch with Ice Ring 

This fruity, fizzy and festive concoction is a great party idea. Build it to suit your taste with your favorite fruit beverages and sodas!

All amounts can be varied to taste, or to fit in your punchbowl.  As the level went down over the course of the evening, I added more ginger ale and cranberry juice cocktail.

• 1 liter ginger ale
• 1 liter lemon-lime seltzer
• 1 liter orange juice
• 1liter cranberry juice
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1 batch (1 liter/quart) of limeade (You can also use simple syrup,   1 cup lime juice and water, or you can use any recipe for canned frozen limeade.)
  

As desired:  smaller amounts of grapefruit juice, pink lemonade, 7-Up, etc.  I think it tastes good with a variety of fruit juices plus the fizzy water.

Festive ice ring:  Make room in the freezer, and early in the day, start layering fruit and plain water (or juice) in a bundt pan (ring-shaped metal cake pan).  I arranged whole raspberries in the bottom of the pan, gently covered them in water, and froze it.  Then a layer of pineapple rings and orange slices, then more water.  When the ice ring is hard, you can get it out by turning it upside-down and running warm water over the pan.  This is very pretty floating in the punch bowl!                                

Recipe list

Three Summer Spritzers 
(from Recipes with a Healthy Perspective, Edited by Lifescan, Inc.)

For all three spritzers, mix well and serve over ice.

• Cranberry:   2 C. low-cal cranberry juice cocktail and 2 C. diet lemon-lime soda.

• Lemon:   3/4 C. fresh lemon juice, 4 c. sparkling water, 1/3 C sugar or equivalent sweeter (8 packets Equal, for example).

• Citrus:   1/2 C EACH unsweetened grapefruit juice and orange juice, 2 C diet lemon-lime soda, 2 TBSP or equivalent sweetener (3 packets Splenda, for example).

Recipe list

• 1 + 1/2 cups skim milk
• 1 medium sized cold or frozen banana
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 10 medium - large frozen strawberries OR you can substitute any frozen fruit you desire. 

MaryAnn says:  "Raspberries (1/2 cup or so) TASTE GREAT!, but you won't get nearly the vitamin C as from strawberries."  She adds:  "This drink with toast (Brownberry's whole grain whole wheat is the best!), bagel, or English muffin (I also take a multi-vitamin) makes a great breakfast.  It's healthy, light and easily digestible even for those who don't 'do' breakfast.   Remember, breakfast is your most important meal!"

Recipe list

Bonnie's Mocktails

• Silver Fizz
• Tom Collins
• Cranberry Fizz
• Cranberry Punch
• Mulled Apple Juice
• Virgin Caesar
• Virgin Mary
• Virgin Chi Chi
  
  Silver Fizz:

Juice of 1/2 lemon, 1 tsp sugar, soda, egg white (fresh or powdered). Blend all except soda and pour over ice.  Top with soda.   Garnish with lemon slice.

Mocktail list

Tom Collins:

3/4 oz lemon juice, 1tsp. powdered sugar, soda
Shake and pour over ice.

Mocktail list

Cranberry Fizz:

Cranberry juice, soda.  Build in a tall glass over ice.

Mocktail list

Cranberry Punch:

2 bottles cranberry juice, 1 liter soda or 7-Up, 1 liter OJ.    Build in a punch bowl with lots of ice or a small block of ice. Garnish with fruit slices.

Mocktail list

Mulled Apple Juice:

2 liters apple juice, 5 cinnamon sticks, 1 tsp. nutmeg, 5 whole cloves.  Simmer slowly over low heat for 30 minutes (don't boil) Serve in decorative mugs with cinnamon stick and apple wedge.  Can add a bit of butter and honey.

Mocktail list

Virgin Caesar:

Clamato juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tobasco, salt and pepper.  Build in a tall glass over ice.  Can salt rim with salt or celery salt and garnish with lime, lemon, celery - whatever.

Mocktail list

Virgin Mary:

All links will open in a new window, so just click the "X" in the upper right corner to close that window and return here.
	The Bottled Water Industry Web Portal, found at bottledwaterweb.com, is an interesting group of pages that tells about the difference between European bottled waters and American, about sparkling (carbonated or natural?) and still (springs, wells, waterworks?) and more.  You can find out more about your favorite brand (if it's nationally distributed) by clicking on links.
	Look at the link below for elegant non-alcoholic beverages.  Answers the burning question, "What do I serve with filet mignon and foie gras to a guest who cannot drink wine?" http://members.tripod.com/~BayGourmet/drinks.html
	Flora's Collection  "This one has ALL KINDS of drinks, none of which contain alcohol."  ~Carol2 Flora's Hideout
	Cooking.com has a page of books you can buy containing recipes for non-alcoholic beverages.
	Epicurious' Non-alcoholic Drinks Collection  Bob R. says, "This enormous recipe site no longer permits browsing of all its nonalcoholic beverage recipes, but try a simple search like 'water'."

Top of Page