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

People who don't drink alcohol for whatever reason, also like the "grown up" artisan drinks like Fentimann' s (the Rose Lemonade is divine); Crabbies make a ginger beer that is alcohol free as well as an alcoholic one.

I'm also catering for a non-drinker and I'm making Clementine juice to serve with soda (I'm such a show off!)

You have to be careful with Fentimans - their cola contains 0.5% alcohol.

I find Schloer too sweet. I'm not sure if I've ever drunk Appletizer, maybe once. If so, it clearly didn't make much impression. I'm not keen on fruit juices (too sweet, too acidic). I'm perfectly happy drinking tap water. Just saying. It's something to bear in mind perhaps that not drinking alcohol is not necessarily something that has to be hidden.

Yeah, I know I'm strange

TBH, if I was a recovering alocoholic, I'd want people to know so that they wouldn't feel they had to offer me pretend alcoholic drinks that look as if they might be alcoholic.

No bags you're not. Nor does it attract awkward questions, really. Not in my social circle anyway

It gets a bit silly doesn't it, all this watching out. I think RA' s should check ingredients themselves!

(I wasn't suggesting make-believe booze by the way, just some nice drinks that don't contain alcohol).

Thanks, gknot. I didn't mean to scoff at your drinks recipes either!

The best way round this Phoenix is to ask your guests what they would like to drink, they will ask what you have and then make their choice.

One of my friends who is a recovering alcoholic just asks, what do you have that's non alcoholic?

My mama only rarely drank alcoholic drinks from choice – she made one glass of gin and tonic last an entire Christmas Day on one occasion – but she wasn't keen on sweet fizzy soft drinks. I "discovered" elderflower cordial on her behalf which she really loved.

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.)

Elderflower Presse is divine too.

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.

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.

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

You are coming out!

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.