We always enjoy spending time with family and friends while bringing in the new year.  They say the new year is to provide a fresh start for whatever resolutions you choose.  Here are a few non-alcoholic drink recipes to keep you safe while celebrating new beginnings of 2009.

Non alcoholic Beverages or NAB Drinks

1-2-3 Punch                                                       Sparkling Short Cut

1 can Hawaiian Punch (46oz)                                   Sparkling apple cider
1 Pineapple/Grapefruit, frozen                                  Pink or white grape juice
  (needs to be thawed)    
2  16oz Lemon-Lime                                               Serve on the rocks. Add apple
Carbonated Beverage                                             cider or grape juice for
Add ice and serve                                                  variations.
20 servings

Kansas NAB                                                          Cranberry Coctail

2  28oz cans pineapple juice                                      Cranberry Cocktail(tall bottle)
2  12oz cans apricot nectar                                        1 two ltr. Lemon lime (bottle)
2   6oz cans frozen orange juice                                 Chill and serve over ice
2  quarts of ice water

Combine the ingredients and stir.
32  servings.

Kocktail for Two                                                   Pioneers Punch
 

¾ C (6oz) white grape juice                                       2oz grape juice
1 T. Rose’s lime juice                                                 2 oz cranberry juice cocktail
2 fresh mint leaves                                                    4 oz cold mineral water

Mix the ingredients. Serve over ice                            Combine. Serve with a lemon twist
Fills two wine glasses                                               over ice cubes.

No-Champagne Cocktail

1 scoop of crushed ice
3oz sparkling mineral water
1oz simple syrup
½ oz lemon juice
Dash of bitters
Lemon slice or twist as garnish

Place the simple syrup, lemon juice
And bitters in a blender.  Mix well and pour over
Crushed ice.  Add sparkling mineral water and garnish.

Party Pointers if you are going to serve adults alcohol:

Offer a choice of non alcoholic drinks also: 
One third of the adult population chooses not to drink at all.  Many others who drink socially sometimes prefer not to.  Some of your guests may be pregnant or taking medication and shouldn’t drink.  When someone says, “no thanks” don’t push it.
If an alcoholic punch is served make it with noncarbonated liquid.  Alcohol is absorbed faster when mixed with a carbonated liquid.  Fruit juices and tea are good mixers for a punch.

Don’t Rush Refills:
Don’t be in a hurry to offer another drink.  Especially if the glass is empty too fast

Don’t double up:
A lot of people count their drinks.  If you serve doubles they’ll be drinking twice as much as they can handle.  Doubling up is rude not generous. Many guests will be less likely to drink to excess if the alcohol is measured accurately.

Serve dinner or snacks:
While your guests are drinking serve snacks/food. Food slows down the rate at which alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream.  It also has a tendency to slow down the amount a person drinks.  Make the food high protein, cheese, nuts.  Protein stays in the stomach longer.  If someone drinks too much at your home, you are responsible.  That’s what it means to be a host. See that they get home safely.  Another way to avoid the “too much” problem is to stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party ends.  Serve NAB’s and snacks.
It takes about one hour for every drink the person has had.  Sometimes it may be safest to let them sleep over or drive them home.