non alcoholic

Since Thanksgiving is a celebration that brings together all ages, consider serving a nonalcoholic signature cocktail like these apple-ginger sparklers. Kids and adults who don't drink will enjoy the festive flavors of this fizzy concoction. It's a mixture of ginger syrup and sparkling apple cider with a cinnamon stick for garnish! To make it spiked, simply stir in a shot of whiskey or Absolut's new apple-ginger vodka. Interested in the recipe? Keep reading.

It's been a while since I've posted a happy hour drink that doesn't contain alcohol, but guess what? I've been struggling to get back up after a bout with the stomach flu, and those two things mix together about as well as oil and water.

Since liquids are about the only thing I've been ingesting anyway, I gave my not-so-mini bar a quick glance to see what alcohol-free beverages I might be able to enjoy. Staring back at me was Cascal, a new drink that's being billed as the sophisticated soda for adults.

Cascal comes in three bottles that all sound reminiscent of fine wine: Crisp White, Light Red, and Fine Dry.
I tried the Crisp White, and it fell somewhere in between a white wine spritzer and a light beer. The flavor had a distinctly floral nose and a rather interesting finish that was sweet but not syrupy in the least and a bit sour from the drink's double fermentation process. As with kombucha, an affinity for this fermented beverage takes a few sips of getting used to. But the idea of a more complex soda for adults is something I'll toast to, both in sickness and in health. Have you tried Cascal?

Normally, for a special occasion party like a bridal shower, I like to serve a specialty cocktail. But for my friend Melissa's upcoming shower, I'm making a specialty mocktail instead. Several of the guests are pregnant, and to include them in the fun I'll offer these berry-lemon sparklers. They consist of muddled berries with fresh lemon juice and a splash of seltzer for effervescence. For those who prefer to sip something potent, I'll pour sparkling wine. I plan on picking up a case of my favorite girlie bottle, Sofia Blanc de Blancs by Francis Ford Coppola.

I'll also have white wine on ice in case anyone wants to imbibe that. To look at the mocktail recipe I'm going to use, keep reading.

When it comes to Summer drinks, I love to use watermelon. The juicy fruit is 92 percent water — meaning it's pretty easy to puree, strain, and drink. It tastes wonderful on its own, fresh from the blender, or works well in a cocktail.

This recipe combines watermelon puree with white grape juice, lime juice, and club soda. It's refreshing, fruity, delicious, and can be served to kids. For an adult version, add a splash of vodka or gin. To offer this concoction at your Fourth of July barbecue, get the recipe now.

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We aren't the only ones who've succumbed to buying loads of seasonal berries. Here, OnSugar blog Faith, Hope & Chocolate demonstrates that when life gives her lemons, she'll make fizzy strawberry lemonade.

So here I go with more strawberries! I normally don't like lemonade very much, it's either too tart or too sweet for my taste but I found a great recipe where you can adjust the sweetness. And I just love the freckled strawberry lemonade at Red Robin (if you haven't tried it, you should!) so I thought I'd try my hand at it. Plus, Benjamen was doing his physical and written test for becoming a police officer that morning so I thought it would be a refreshing treat when he came home. Awww, I am such a good girlfriend!! It it so easy to make too, I've already made another batch and each time it's been gone in a matter of hours...it's THAT good! The hardest part is squeezing the lemons so if you have a juicer or something to help on that aspect it would be very helpful, or I'm sure you could substitute store bought lemon juice also. Here is the recipe, I told you it was easy!

See just how easily it all comes together when you keep reading.