Non-alcoholic drinks

[A3M0N]

I'm taking my wife out to our first nice dinner soon and nither of us drink alcohol. I was wondering what kind of drinks we could order that aren't sodas or sweet tea but are fitting for a nice dinner.

Thank you ladies and gents!

 

[Ethan.Bassist.]

If I'm not drinking alcohol, I'm usually drinking water with lemon. I've made water with orange peel with some success also. Maybe they could do like Cranberry and tonic? Lemon/tonic, lemonade/tonic. These seem like good ideas, though I've never actually had any of them. I just gather that you want something classy and somewhat dry. My solution is add tonic. haha

 

[A3M0N]

I just gather that you want something classy...

Pretty much this.

 

[Rosscof]

Virgin mojito, refreshing, tasty and classy

 

[Go West Young Man]

Cuba Libre, hold the rum.

 

[mdove47]

Cuba Libre, hold the rum.

I just watched a Big Bang Theory rerun last night. Sheldon was drinking them, unitl Penny gave him a real one. Several later.....well Sheldore was the life of the party at the Cheesecake Factory.

As far as non-alcoholic a nice sparkling grape juice. We used to have them on special occasions and there are a wide variety.

 

[Agravic]

Sparkling water of the imported variety - with lime

 

[ricardo9505]

I second sparkling grape juice - another great non alcoholic drink

 

[DeusVult]

Before dinner, real ginger beer (it's got more kick than Canada Dry ginger ale), bitters, and lemon or lime juice. Not too sweet. Bitters do contain alcohol though, but one only uses a little, like using vanilla extract. Another possibility, tonic water with a lime. Like a gin and tonic with no gin.

With your meal, sparkling mineral water with lemon, cool, but no ice.

After dinner, get some high end coffee, or a variety flavored with some syrup if you like.

 

[mmack66]

Shirley Temple
Roy Rogers

 

[DeusVult]

Non-alcoholic wines are produced, but I've never tasted them, so I hestiate to recommend. Might be good ok...if you don't drink, you might not know the difference.

 

[DeusVult]

Cuba Libre, hold the rum.

That's just coke with lime, no?

 

[strop]

Sparkling grape juise is good. I like tonic with lime,as well as club soda with lime, but both may be an acquired taste. Try it at home first. Cranberry and lemonade is very nice and a little different. Talk to the bartender ahead of time and see what kind of glassware they might use. As with food, part of the fun is the presentation. Nice surprise for her for the anniversary.

 

[A3M0N]

Thanks everyone! Are tonic/sparkling water/club soda all the same thing? I think sparkling grape juice sounds great for dinner. I really don't know anything about ordering drinks at a bar, if I were to order something like 2 virgin mojitos, do I order just like that? Say "virgin mojito"? Also, do you pay for the drinks right at the bar or on your table check? How do you tip the bartender? Sorry guys, this is all new to me!

 

[Patman27]

No. Tonic has a different taste (and quinine) in it. Club soda and sparkling water are different but I couldn't describe them. Also, san pellegrino is really good sparkling water. You could get that with some simple syrup and lemon/mint/lime etc to make a sparkling drink.

A Shirley Temple is sprite with cherry juice. Every bartender will know it.

If you are at a nice restaurant, you could always ask the bartender if he/she has any suggestions and share their ideas here!

 

[yakster]

Something called a Shrub which is basically a fruit infused vinegar has been making a comeback in some circles. Don't know if you'll be able to find it, but I played around with making one myself and it has potential, with a better vinegar base. It's tart and refreshing, usually mixed with sparkling water.

 

[Go West Young Man]

That's just coke with lime, no?

Well, if you have to explain the joke......

I just watched a Big Bang Theory rerun last night. Sheldon was drinking them, unitl Penny gave him a real one. Several later.....well Sheldore was the life of the party at the Cheesecake Factory. .

LOL, watched the same episode!

 

[Rosscof]

Yep just say "2 virgin mojitos" theyll know it means without alcohol, dont pay at the bar, they should just include it in your bill at the end of the dinner. Just say at the bar ur having a couple of drinks before your dinner.

 

[Luc]

Fizzy or sparkling water would be my pick. If they got it (and I really doubt it) I'd have a tamarind drink with is essentially sparkling water with sugar and tamarind. Lemonade is my other pick. I know it's not what you could call classy but I enjoy those.

 

[JoshuaNY]

The difference between club soda and sparkling water is very small. Sparkling water is a natural occuring carbonation. So they can have trace minerals and such, like Pellegrino(sp?). Club soda is plain water where they force the carbonation into it. Both have similar feel and taste, but sparkling water tends to be more upscale because it occurs naturally.

You could also get a Margaritta without the Tequilla, those are good and come in a fun glass. I guess it would essentially taste like a limeade though.