How to Host a Holiday Party, Soberish Style. A Non-Alcoholic Drink Menu Everyone Will Love.

The secret to a great non-alcoholic holiday drinks menu? Make sure every guest is taken care of.

The best hosts have a certain magic about them. They remember the little things, anticipate what people need, and make everyone feel like they belong.

And while a beautiful table and a perfectly curated playlist certainly don't hurt, the real art of hosting is making everyone feel welcome.

This holiday season, some of your guests will be drinking, some won't, and some might simply be spending the holidays a little more Soberish.

Whatever their reason, everyone deserves something wonderful in their glass.

A customer came into Soberish recently looking for non-alcoholic drinks for an event she was hosting. Her bar was already planning to serve whiskey and gin cocktails, and she wanted something easy for guests who weren't drinking.

I suggested something a little different. Why not serve the exact same cocktails, just without the alcohol?

If you're batching Old Fashioneds, batch a non-alcoholic version alongside them. Serving G&Ts? Have a botanical, alcohol-free gin ready to go. Opening wine with dinner? Put a beautiful non-alcoholic bottle on the table, too.

Same menu. Same glasses. Same beautiful garnishes. Nobody is left out. And perhaps more importantly, nobody has to explain what's in their glass, or why.

That's the kind of detail that makes someone an exceptional host.

So whether you're planning an intimate Friendsgiving or a holiday party for everyone you know, here's how I'd build a holiday drinks menu that's as thoughtful as the rest of the evening.

Every celebration deserves a little ceremony. And few things say occasion quite like opening a bottle of something sparkling.

I love a beautiful non-alcoholic sparkling wine for a holiday toast. You get the elegance, the beautiful glassware and the moment itself, without assuming everyone wants alcohol. My advice? Look for something with character. Crisp, dry styles with balanced acidity are a great place to start.

A few bottles I'd put on the holiday table:

Plus & Minus Sparkling Blanc de Blancs

— A celebration-style sparkling wine, nicely weighted sweet fruit up front, balanced by a cleansing acid finish that keeps it from tasting flat or one-note.

Oddbird Rose

— The 12-month maturation gives it a depth that most sparkling roses, alcoholic or not, never achieve.

Noughty Sparkling Chardonnay

— Clean and refreshing with just enough Chardonnay character to feel like wine, not just sparkling juice. The calorie count is impressively low for something that tastes this good.

Sovi Sparkling Orange Wine

— Grapes from Heringer Estates, Clarksburg, California. Sustainably grown.

Thanksgiving is practically a love letter to food and wine. From the turkey to the sides (arguably the real stars of the evening), the right pairing makes everything a little more special. And I think your non-alcoholic wine selection deserves just as much consideration as the traditional bottles.

For turkey, roasted vegetables and lighter dishes: I'd look for a crisp, refreshing white, like a Sauvignon Blanc. Something with enough acidity to balance the richness of the meal.

For mushroom dishes, roasted meats and heartier sides: I'd lean toward a fuller-bodied non-alcoholic red with enough structure to hold its own alongside the food.

What I'd put on the table:

A beautiful white:

—[ Mehrnush's recommended Thanksgiving white and personal pairing notes.]

A proper red:

—[Mehrnush's recommended Thanksgiving red and personal pairing notes.]

Not all non-alcoholic wines are created equal. There are so many styles, makers and production methods, and finding a great bottle can take some trial and error.

At Soberish, we're particular about what earns a place on our shelves. I've spent years tasting and exploring these products so my customers don't have to take a gamble on every bottle

I love a signature cocktail at a party. But I love it even more when everyone can enjoy one.

Remember my golden rule: if you're serving a cocktail with alcohol, make a version without it. Here are two I'd consider for a holiday menu.

The Non-Alcoholic Old Fashioned

For the guest who appreciates a proper cocktail.

Ingredients (one serving):

-2 oz NA whiskey alternative

-Old Fashioned mixer, measured according to the maker's directions

-Fresh orange peel

-A large ice cube

How to make it:

Combine the non-alcoholic whiskey alternative and mixer, adjusting to taste. Stir with ice, then strain over a large cube in a rocks glass. Finish with a fresh orange twist.

Rich, warming and wonderfully uncomplicated. Hosting a crowd? Batch it ahead of time.

The Sober Cranberry Sparkler

A little festive. A little fabulous.

Ingredients (one serving)

-2 oz NA gin

-¾ oz spiced cranberry syrup

-¾ Lime squeeze

-Tonic water

-Garnish with one dehydrated grapefruit wheel

How to make it:

Add the non-alcoholic gin, lime, and cranberry syrup to a chilled coupe. Gently top with tonic and garnish with grapefruit. Beautiful, seasonal and ready in seconds.

Let me be clear: being a wonderful host does not require you to become a professional bartender. Sometimes the smartest thing you can do is stock a few exceptional ready-to-drink non-alcoholic cocktails. I'm talking sophisticated spritzes, bittersweet aperitifs and beautifully balanced botanical drinks.

Keep them chilled, pour them into proper glassware, add a garnish if you're feeling fancy, and get back to the people you invited.

A few of my ready-to-serve favorites:

[Product 1]

— [Mehrnush's flavor notes and why she recommends it.]

[Product 2]

— [Her favorite occasion or food pairing.]

[Product 3]

— [Her serving suggestion.]

The goal is to make the drinks feel just as special as the occasion, without giving yourself another job to do.

For an adults-only gathering, some hosts take Soberish to the next level and have hemp-derived THC beverage options available.

Just remember that a THC drink is not the same thing as a non-alcoholic cocktail. One may be free of alcohol while still being intoxicating.

If you offer hemp products, keep them clearly labeled and separate, available only to adults 21 and over, and never mix them into someone's drink without their knowledge. Guests should understand the potency and effects before making their own choice.

And because the rules surrounding hemp THC are changing, we've put together a guide to what's happening in Georgia.

Read: The Hemp THC Ban, Explained — What Changes December 11.