Holiday drinks that satisfy — without the booze

The holiday table is a place of coming together and we will have guests that don’t drink wine or beer. It seems unfair therefore that they make do with the standard pop or water. There are no-alcohol options for wine and beer, but for some it’s not a taste they like.

Over the last few months I’ve come across a few festive alternatives that readers may enjoy.

Schweppes has the distinction of being the first soda company to successfully maintain carbonation in glass bottles and they’ve been at it since 1783.

Throughout North America we know this brand through ginger ale, club soda and tonic water. That’s about it. In Europe the selection is much larger and in Poland they have access to some rather nice sparkling beverages.

Their Spritz is a take on the classic Italian Aperol Spritz. Aperol is a low-alcohol, slightly bitter aperitif developed in 1919 in Padua, Italy. Nowadays it’s enjoyed around the world as a brunch-time or after-work refresher.

Spritz (available at Nicastro’s 1558 Merivale Rd. for $1.99) is the Schweppes take on the original and it does have a variety of botanicals but finishes with the classic bitterness we expect from tonic water. It really is a more sophisticated way to enjoy a soda. Let’s also keep it festive and serve this in a white wine glass or champagne flute.

Schweppes Mojito ($1.49) and the two Tymbark Po Prostu drinks ($1.99) are available at Polka Deli 1576 Walkley Rd.

The mojito has an uplifting lime profile with an extra refreshing kick from the added mint. Better still, the entire can has only 25 grams of sugar versus the average North American soda of 38-42 grams.

The Polish beverage giant Tymbark has created something unique in the adult non-alcoholic drink space: sparkling apple-lemon sodas laced with hops and ingredients like juniper berry and blood orange.

I admit that I love these products. They’re all natural, sophisticated, intriguingly delicious and only have a remarkable 2 grams of sugar per 500 ml can. Again, these products are best enjoyed in proper glassware so for the Po Prostu drinks a stemmed beer glass would be ideal.

You and your guests deserve it.