Labor Day is here! It’s the last hurrah before the unofficial end of summer. As a recovering alcoholic, it’s normal to have some reservations about attending a Labor Day party. Because everyone is different, always discuss your options with a counselor, addiction specialist, or AA sponsor.
Depending on where you are in your recovery, it might be best to throw your own sober party. If you do think you’re ready to be with friends, bring along a mocktail. Having something fun to drink will take attention off you. If you have a drink in hand, you don’t need to be asked if you want one!
Here are five of our favorite mocktail recipes that will make your sober Labor Day celebrations a blast!
- Pretty Pink Punch (Taste of Home)
We love this recipe because it’s super simple to make – and it looks lovely for a summer party. Once you gather the ingredients, dissolve the sugar in water. Add the juices and lemonade and mix well. The last part is to stir in the ginger ale, which you can do right before serving. If you would like, add fresh lemon slices. Delicious! Get the full recipe here.
- Non-Alcoholic Sangria (Tablespoon)
Sangria is a popular beverage for summer parties because it’s refreshing and elegant! This recipe for non-alcoholic sangria is beautiful thanks to the large pieces of fruit. To start, simply fill a pitcher with juice, sparkling water, and ginger ale. Next, add in the fruit slices which include kiwi, oranges, star fruit, limes, and cranberries. Serve the drink immediately or let it chill. See how it’s done here.
- White After Labor Day (Kristi Dukoff of Gracie’s)
This is another easy, tasty recipe that even the kids can have! Simply mix and strain the ingredients – bottled water, tea syrup, lemon juice, white peach puree, and lavender. This recipe isn’t difficult to make, but the ingredients involve a deeper search. Have fun with it, and if you can’t find lavender, garnish the drink with lemon instead. Get the recipe at Parenting.com.
- Caramel Apple Pie Mocktail (Mary About Town)
With fall just around the corner, a caramel apple pie mocktail is fitting! This recipe is a bit more involved than our other recipes but so worth it! Start by mixing the apple cider with caramel syrup and cinnamon. Cut the apples into slices and add them to the pitcher, along with rosemary sprigs. After 20 minutes, pour in the sparkling water and rim the glass edges with golden brown sugar. Pour in the drink and voila! Get the recipe here.
- Lemon Ice Tea Mix (Taste of Home)
Lemon ice tea mix is great for large crowds because it’s inexpensive and simple to make. All you need is sugar, unsweetened instant tea, and unsweetened lemonade soft drink mix. In fact, you can store the drink mix in an airtight container for up to 6 months! Add fresh lemon wedges if you desire. For the full recipe, click here.
The River Source team wishes you a safe, sober, and healthy Labor Day!
