Post Mortem on our 2 Free Spirits Cocktail Parties

last month

last modified: last month

You may remember I was planning two consecutive cocktail parties two weeks apart featuring all alcohol-free and dealcoholized beers, wine, and spirits. Everything except the Athletic brand beers, which we bought at Wal Mart, was ordered online. The spirits were from two companies: Ritual and Zero Proof. The wines were from Noughty and Ish (both fun little plays on words). I had to order Heineken alcohol free beer online also as it was unavailable locally and that made it unnecessarily expensive IMO.

Both parties were a great success; the first was a group of our ” regular” friends from church, town, tennis, golf, local theater, etc. I set up four different stations for beer, wine, margaritas, and other mixed drinks. My nephew was visiting us for the first party and has had experience bartending, so he made many different drinks for people reluctant to try mixing their own. Apparently very few people can mix anything other than ”their” drink and people were slow to try different things. Nephew, DS2 (also visiting for the weekend), our wonderful party helper from the club restaurant and I mixed up different drinks and poured a little into tiny plastic shot glasses and took them around on trays for people to try. We served different kinds of margaritas,including ones made with the regular bottled mix and with differently flavored Bartesian margarita mixes also. We made old fashioneds, Negronis, and ”regular” gin and tonics, rum and coke, etc. Our second party was a smaller group of people just from our neighborhood (my street is it’s own ”pod,” or phase of development). We have a few people who do not drink for health reasons and a Mormon neighbor who doesn’t drink for religious reasons, and they were delighted to come to such an event.

To date there is no alcohol free Scotch or Vodka; so we served (alcohol-free versions of) gin, rum, bourbon , tequila, vermouth and campari. In addition we served several shrubs, which are fruit-infused simple syrups (made with sugar, honey, agave, etc) mixed with vinegar (fruit vinegars, balsamics, champagne orother wine vinegars, etc). I purchased from 1821 in Atlanta a blood orange and ginger shrub and an apple cardamom variety, and on my own made batches of pineapple/ginger/cardamom and peach/vanilla/nutmeg shrubs. We also had on hand wonderful mixers from Withco, one called Ellis Old Fashioned (simple syrup infused with citrus and spice) and another called Bouquet (lavender, rose and other botanicals) that were quite popular. We also had the range of club soda, tonic waters (regular and diet for the diabetics), ginger ales and other sodas.

Overall the Lavender Margaritas my nephew made were in high demand at the first party and we almost ran out of tequila. I’m not exactly sure how he made them but he was doing a brisk business shaking and pouring at the margarita station. The next most popular drink was a sparkling white wine from Ish mixed with Ellis Old Fahioned Mixer and tonic water. This drew high praise from everyone and I am planning to use it as a signature drink at our next party. Of the wines, the reds were abysmal but the Ish Chardonnay was drinkable, especially with a meal. The sparkling whites and rosés were not really good enough as a standalone but surprisingly good as a base for a cocktail. The surprise hit was a Negroni-ish cocktail I devised with gin, vermouth, campari and a decent splash of tonic with a squeeze of orange. One bourbon drinker mixed his bouron with the blood orange and ginger shrub and was very pleased with it. We also had a very good reception of the rum and apple cardamom shrub with a splash of soda. The beer drinkers were not vocal about the beers they drank so I assume they were not much enjoyed, although I have it on very good authority that the no alcohol Heineken tastes exactly like the regular type. I wondered if our particular beer drinkers were missing the reason they drink it. Several people commented that it was odd to drink without ”feeling” it and that it was a new experience they welcomed. No one disavowed alcohol as a result of the parties and of course that was not the reason for having them, but everyone had a great time and there was no concern about anyone getting home safely.

On the food front, the standout item was the zuccini blossoms stuffed with marscapone and herbs, battered and fried, from the club’s appetizer menu. Our party helper (one of the club waitresses) came directly from her shift and brought the food with her piping hot and crispy. We kept them in a warm oven and Lisa put them on a platter as everyone arrived. They were a huge hit! I did an antipasto tray, baked brie with blackberry jam and toasted walnuts with crostini, a few other cheeses and crackers, a veggie tray (blanched green beans, cherry tomatoes and celery) with homemade ranch dip, and fruit skewers. I also had coffee service set up in the dining room with small finger desserts (pecan bars, brownies, salted caramel brownies, lemon bars and raspberry bars) from my favorite caterer in town; she’s been making those for decades and everybody loves them. The weather was lovely for both parties, the 2/28 one a bit cooler and the one last night warmer but windier. We were able to use the screened porch for both events and at the first were able to enjoy a spectacular sunset from the porch and windows all across the back of the house.

I love to entertain and even though it seems people are having fewer parties they still like being invited to them!

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Ally De

last month

Exactly Arapaho! Anyone who would decline a KSWL party needs their head checked. 😄

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Comments (29)

Fun2BHere
last month
What a great recap! Thank you for sharing the results of popular opinion. It's always nice to have some real life experience from friends here in the forum. You are definitely the hostess with the most-ess as they say.
Kswl thanked Fun2BHere
lisaam
last month
Both sound like terrific evenings. Thanks for sharing the fun details and letting us enjoy vicariously.
Kswl thanked lisaam
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dedtired
last month
I wish i lived near you. The drinks sound tasty and the food divine.
Kswl thanked dedtired
OutsidePlaying
last month
It all sounds delicious, Kswl!

Our favorite appetizer in Italy was fried zucchini blossoms. DD’s Italian Nanny made those for the children she kept years ago so it was a fond memory for her and a real delight. Ours were stuffed differently but so tasty.
Kswl thanked OutsidePlaying
Ally De
last month
You know how to do it well. It sounds wonderful. I can picture it all and now I am hungry.
Kswl thanked Ally De
bbstx
last month
I’m so pleased for you that your party ideas were so well received! I want to go back through and make a list of your pairings.

Please get DN to give you his recipe for the Lavender Margarita. DD had to give up alcohol for 6 months because of medications. She realized she didn’t miss it and felt better without it. However, she might enjoy a good mocktail.

One of these days, I’m going to have to try a shrub. For some reason, all I can think of is ”vinegar!” It doesn’t sound very appealing but lots of people seem to enjoy shrubs. I need to see what I’m missing.
Kswl thanked bbstx
Kswl
Original Author
last month
Thank you all for these gracious responses to what is an unconscionably long post. Everyone who came had a good time or certainly seemed to, but not everyone invited came. One person in particular was obviously irritated at being asked to an alcohol free party, even angry about it. He and his wife did not come. A few others completely avoided the rsvp even though I saw and spoke to them in the interim between the invitation delivery and the party. Another woman accepted the invitation and rescinded when her husband refused to go. All very interesting responses and in all cases not especially surprising, iykwim.

I’ll ask my nephew about the lavender margarita; one of my good friends told me later that it was a very good substitute.
roarah
last month
last modified: last month
Sounds lovely. I do not drink but have both options available when hosting but I think I might try a dry event in the future. I think being up front in the invite is the right way to go and filters out those who for what ever reason do not like to socialize without spirits. My FIL would not tolerate sober functions before he died of liver disease.

I would love the margarita recipe.
Kswl thanked roarah
jill302
last month
Sounds like a great time. You provided so many options, a perfect opportunity for your guests to be creative and try some fun combinations. The food sounds wonderful too.

Love your idea, not sure that I can talk my husband into a completely alcohol free party but I may set up a mocktail bar at my next party.
Kswl thanked jill302
fnmroberts
last month
Sounds terrific, have never considered an alcohol-free party but DH has been dieting all year (-30 pounds) and dearly misses friends gatherings.

Fie on the non-responders. They likely would have declined a child-free party too.
Kswl thanked fnmroberts
Arapaho-Rd
last month
What is being served or not being served wouldn't deter me. People are interesting! You put on quite a remarkable gathering and one I would have enjoyed very much : )
Kswl thanked Arapaho-Rd
deegw
last month
Sounds lovely, I'm glad it was a success.

I'll confess I feel like @bbstx - I'm on board with all of it except the shrubs. They sound like fancy salad dressing!
Kswl thanked deegw
Jilly
last month
I’m so envious of the people who get to attend your parties! Sounds like everything went great, and was so much fun. I like my wine, but it sure wouldn’t deter me from trying mocktails at your party. They (and nibbles) all sound delicious!
Kswl thanked Jilly
Sheeshie
last month
How wonderful these parties must have been! But now, i have a couple questions. How many people attended each party? And what did you wear? Thank you.
Kswl thanked Sheeshie
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
last month
Sounds like a fun time was had by all.

One important note though: if someone is an alcoholic, they cannot drink alcohol-free spirits, wine, or beer (except Heineken Non-Alcoholic 0.0) because there are trace amounts of alcohol in those.
Kswl thanked cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
Kswl
Original Author
last month
last modified: last month
That’s true, Cyn, they cannot drink de-alcoholized anything, but there are some ersatz brands made with no alcohol whatsoever. We have a couple of friends in recovery and they are pretty savvy— and vigilant— about what they can drink. It’s a good point though, and we did emphasize that some of the products had trace amounts of alcohol in case that was a concern.

Sheeshie, lol— I wore green for both parties! On February 28th: side zip slacks, satin shirt and cropped cardigan in tone on tone greens, and plaid wool Mary Janes with a green strap. The brooch is vintage Bakelite in the shape of a child in a Tyrolean hat (there’s no accounting for taste, is there??).

On March 14 with a more relaxed neighborhood crowd I wore a khaki skirt, the same green cardigan as a shirt, with fun Tieks in a gold color with pink, blue and green polkadots. The necklace is a string of fabric beads from the High Museum in Atlanta, they sell some wonderful crafty jewelry and these were actually bought to go with the shoes!

There were 26 people at the first party and 16 at the second. The smaller group was our neighborhood and we all know each other pretty well and socialize often.
Sheeshie
last month
Both outfits are beautiful, Ks Kswl. Thank you. i love the fabric beads and your descriptions of things.
Kswl thanked Sheeshie
Feathers11
last month
I missed this post--what a great spread, Kswl! A friend is alcohol free at the moment, and makes the same claim about af Heineken.

...mixed up different drinks and poured a little into tiny plastic shot glasses and took them around on trays for people to try. --I would love this! I don't like committing to a single drink from a menu. I would appreciate the opportunity to try multiples.

Why would someone take offense to an alcohol-free party? Did they provide you with reasons?
Kswl thanked Feathers11
nicole
last month
You had a sizeable turnout for both your parties! I also would have enjoyed a mocktail party. The food sounds like it was very on point for the crowd you were trying to please, well thought out...enjoyed by all. The next party I throw, I hope your open to giving advice. 🎻
Kswl thanked nicole
Kswl
Original Author
last month
No reasons, Feathers, just umbrage upon receipt of the invitation and radio silence after….no rsvp either way. ☹️

Nicole this forum is a gold mine of information, recipes, tips and tricks and other insights into entertaining.. When you are ready to party, post your questions and stand back to wait for all the great info that will come your way!
arkansas girl
last month
That is a great idea for a party! I think this needs to catch on! Maybe it has, I'm not in touch with what's popular these days but this needs to be POPULAR! Actually it needs to be the norm! :)

I don't know why some people feel like they just have to drink to have a good time. I was married to a man for 24 years that could not go anywhere without an ice chest full of beer or a bottle of booze in tow! I'm so over that way of life! UGH! My husband now, we have been married for 18 years, does not drink at all. He has been alcohol free since 1992, this would a great party for us!

The other day I made a delicious mixed drink of OJ and cranberry juice. Of course, no alcohol! It tasted like drinking a cocktail! :)
Kswl thanked arkansas girl
Kitchenwitch111
last month
Thanks for the report -- sounds like the parties were really successful. I think it's weird that some people would not go because it was a "dry" party - wouldn't they at least be curious? Oh, well, who needs 'em, right?

What a great idea and you put so much time, thought and consideration into it. Very impressive!
Kswl thanked Kitchenwitch111
DLM2000-GW
last month
Well it seems I'm late to this party ;-) The gatherings sound wonderful, VERY well thought out and detailed for guests enjoyment - you are the hostess with the mostest!
Kswl thanked DLM2000-GW
Ally De
last month
I can't fathom alcohol having any bearing on whether I would attend a party. Maybe I am weird. I mean, I enjoy a drink or two. I really enjoy good food. And yet again, exactly what food offerings there are is also not a huge concern for me. Social gatherings are....social. It's fun to see people, chat, laugh, enjoy company.

If you want to order off a menu and get exactly what you want, that's what restaurants are for. Of course they charge you too. 😄
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Kswl thanked Ally De
jsk
last month
How wonderful! I was hoping you'd post about the parties.

I too would love the margarita recipe. DH and I both love margaritas but we are also such light weights! And I do not enjoy the feeling of being drunk. A non alcoholic version would be perfect for us.

It sounds like it was a huge hit with everyone that came. I will never understand how anyone can be offended by being invited to such a fun event! I mean, can you really not enjoy the company of your friends without an alcoholic drink?!?!? I find that so odd.
Kswl thanked jsk
legomom23
last month
This does sound like so much fun! I’m glad it was a hit.

I recommended the Naughty as a possibility, and i can see what you mean about mixing.

I have since discovered another one I like a lot better- more like a champagne. Very bubbly though. It’s become my new favorite, just in case you try this kind of entertaining again.

I’d also love the margarita recipe!
Kswl thanked legomom23
Annie Deighnaugh
last month
So glad the parties worked out well, especially after all your diligent prep! I can't imagine people not showing up due to lack of alcohol. For goodness sake, drink before or after the party if you must! Glad you had help with the bartending and serving. It helps free you up for more socializing. But I agree with the others about 'shrub'...somehow it lacks an appeal for me. I agree about the red wines, but never tried Ish...I'll have to take a look!
Kswl thanked Annie Deighnaugh
Kswl
Original Author
last month
I would encoursge everyone to try a shrub if you’re ever offered one— they don’t taste anything like vinegar!
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Post Mortem on our 2 Free Spirits Cocktail Parties

Ally De

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Fun2BHere

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