What to Drink (When You’re Not Drinking)

by , December 27, 2011 — 2 Comments
What to Drink (When You're Not Drinking)

Let’s face it: Sometimes boozing it up on a weeknight can get exhausting—and impractical.

Maybe your New Year’s resolutions include spending less money or dropping a few pounds. Perhaps you’ve decided to dedicate your evenings to your creative hobbies instead of SVU marathons and Chardonnay. Or maybe you’re a soon-to-be parent or otherwise under doctor’s orders. Sometimes, it’s just a good idea to lay off the sauce.

But just because you won’t be paying $25 for a couple of weak cocktails doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a delicious beverage.

You may not be drinking, but if you still want to sip something that’s fun, tasty, and a bit more imaginative than a Diet Coke, give these concoctions a try.

 

Childhood Throwbacks

Examples: Lime Rickey, Shirley Temple

What it says about you: I am so confident in my maturity that I am comfortable ordering a drink that I may have consumed before my feet could touch the floor from this barstool. I am a paradox.

 

Sports-Themed Drinks

Example: Arnold Palmer (iced tea and lemonade)

What it says about you: I know about sports legends and their beverages of choice. I could be an athlete myself, heading to my 24-hour gym after happy hour.

 

Morning-After Drinks

Examples: Virgin Mary, Homemade Ginger Ale (bitters, sprite, splash of coke)

What it says about you: I am either hung over or pregnant. I am a woman of mystery.

 

Spritzers

Example: Cranberry and Club Soda

What it says about you: To me, being refreshed is just as satisfying as being intoxicated. I might withdraw to the veranda at any moment.

 

Drinks to Avoid

Childhood throwbacks that go too far back: Milk. Apple juice.

Energy drinks: There’s nothing worse than being sober and jumpy at a happy hour.

Non-alcoholic beer: Because beer isn’t that tasty to begin with.

 

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Wesolowski.

About the Author

Rikki Rogers is a writer and marketer working outside of our nation’s capitol. When she’s not stuck in traffic, she enjoys writing poetry and grappling with important philosophical issues like whether to retweet, reply, or just mention. You can read more about her obsession with language and culture at rikkirogers.wordpress.com and follow her @rikki_rogers.

2 comments
sarah
sarah

this is hilarious! love the 'what it says about you' features. my husband and i are cracking up.

Brika
Brika

I've found that part of the problem of choosing not to drink any alcohol are those people who can't stand to drink alone... "Why aren't you drinking? You have to drink if I'm drinking... Let me buy you a drink..."

My husband has created a drink he jokingly calls a Phil Mickelson... 50/50 Sprite/Cranberry Juice. (He's hoping the name will catch on.) Order that in a cocktail glass with a lime wedge, and no one will be able to tell you're not drinking alcohol.