Just a thought,(although you have probably all sorted it)

I like a glass or three but also like elderflower or citron presse, less sweet. Cranberry juice with soda is a nice long drink, and for Christmas try pomegranate juice with soda( or champagne) .

We drink very little when on our own- but we will have plenty to share over Christmas and enjoy it thoroughly. Do love Belvoir elderflower cordial- but as we can't get it here, I made my own this year and it was wonderful. Will make a lot more next year. We brought over a young red elderflower tree from our uk garden- and it has thrived up here in the mountains. The leaves a a gorgeous red, and the flowers a beautiful shade of pink- so the cordial was 'rosé'. All gone I'm afraid.

Never made any slow gin this year, first year in a long time- used to make lots and it was quite a hit with DD1's friends in London.

Didn't get what your 'cock up' was phoenix

We buy the Elderflower Presse made by Belvoir and any other of their flavours that attract us. As they are made locally (in the Vale of Belvoir) we quite often see items about them on the local news. The chap they speak to most is called Pev Manners (that's Peveril, after his castle, doncha know)

I have never drunk alcohol. When asked what I'd like to drink I simply ask what soft drinks are available. The times that someone has tried to get me to have something stronger I have just said that I don't like alcoholic drinks. Plenty of delicious soft drinks around .

I found 3 nice grown up soft drinks in M & S this year with those lovely old fashioned rubber stoppers. Hibiscus, Ginger and Lemon and Elderflower Sodas. DH likes plenty of soft drinks as he gets nasty migraines if he has more than 2 glasses of anything alcoholic in a day.

We have lots of redcurrants in the freezer, I may try that, thanks janer

I have never found an alcoholic drink that I really enjoy, so avoid these and always ask for a lemonade, or water. I once went to a rather 'posh'do with Italian waiters, and had a really hard job explaining that I wanted lemonade. In the end the young man brought me a whole bottle, poured a sample in the glass for me, I nodded enthusiastically, and he left the bottle - I was anybody's after that. That does not mean I don't take seriously the problems for alcoholics, I do, and have enormous respect for those who can quit.

I shall drink wine on Christmas Day, while Mr absent, absent ex-husband and absent son-in-law will drink beer. Absentdaughter is heavily pregnant and her tipple will be non-alcoholic. I shall see of I can find something interesting for her to drink.

For those of you with redcurrants, can I suggest this?

www.swedishfood.com/swedish-drink-recipes/180-redcurrant-cordial

It's delicious and certainly not too sweet. If you add sparkling water to it it's wonderful. It keeps for around six months or so, but you can add 8ozs of sugar per lb if you want to make it last longer. I have to hold back bottles of it to save for Xmas in our house, because I do have quite a few friends who don't drink, nor does SiL.

As for me - I like mine made into redcurrant gin or vodka! It makes a change from sloes.

I`m another who finds Schloer too sweet, but I love the Asda own brand Spritzers, several flavours, and they`re delicious served ice cold.

We have some schloer (both colours) on the wine rack amd I will chill it just in case anyone would like it as an alternative.

Elderflower cordial diluted with fizzy water is lovely, as is ginger cordial.

Phoenix . Your "cock up" is not serious enough for the naughty step, come back!

Mum used to love a G&T and a glass or three of wine. She perfected her drinking techniques as an RAF officer's wife in the glamorous days of overseas postings and I never ever saw her the worse for wear.

When she had a stroke, aged 89, it was obvious she was never going to be able to drink again due to the medication and the risk of further strokes. Schloer was a Godsend at family get-togethers because not only could she wave her glass in the air, Queen Mum style, as she held court but it was a handy alternative for the drivers - even though I would often add a slice of lemon as I find it too sweet.

I think if you are entertaining non drinkers (for whatever reason) it's sensible to have a good choice of non alcoholic drinks and a wine substitute is a good idea.

I realise that may be me phoenix and I apologise. I had noticed there are two threads on drinking and probably posted on the wrong one

Nothing against alcohol but my favourite drink is a tonic water with ice and lemon.

PS, further to OP, I meant say that a glass of the grape stuff (Schloer or otherwise) could easily be seen to be a glass of wine, therefore perhaps not leading to the embarrassing conversations that I had many years ago.

Sorry, obviously cocked up big time on this thread

Off to the naughty step!

It would seem that some of you didn't quite see what I was getting at in the OP, I apologise if I have not been clear.

I have not drunk alcohol for many many years - I have lost count. One of the things that I have noticed over the years is that people no longer bat an eyelid when you say you don't drink and there are always lovely alternatives on offer.

You are coming out!

Delicious Grannyknot, there also a number of alcohol- free punch recipes on the Internet.

I am coming out. I love a G & T and a glass or 3 of wine. We are on our own for the whole of Christmas and the New Year and I will take advantage of the drinks cabinet. DH is not allowed it and will not.

Neither in my social circle Gknot.

I do know my friend does not appreciate or need a non alcoholic drink presented to her in a wine glass!

Definitely not strange bags she is not in the slightest bothered what people may wonder what she is drinking.

Elderflower Presse is divine too.

I have some elderflower cordial in the freezer that I made in the summer. The only problem is that I froze it in washed out milk cartons and there is also milk in there. (I don't do labeling very well, so I won't be sure what it is until I defrost it.)