I absolutely LOVE that non-alcoholic beverage options for weddings are becoming more of a norm vs. an afterthought. Don’t get me wrong, I love tasty cocktails or cold beer on a hot day. But fact-of-the-matter is, after I turned a milestone age that I will not publicly mention, my body stopped being a fan. One or two are usually enough to elicit an immediate headache and trick my stomach into thinking I swallowed a hand mixer.
Whether hosting a fully non-alcoholic wedding, looking for ideas to appeal to non-drinkers, or wanting to add a touch of fun to your beverage selection without the high cost of alcohol, there are SO many festive options beyond canned sodas and bottled waters.
Pinterest (or even AI programs) are a great source of inspiration as to how to set up the beverages below as interactive/self-serve bars that are beautiful to look at!
Consider these interactive mocktail bars or non-alcoholic ideas:
- “MockMosas”: variety of juices and sparkling ciders, juices or waters for that bubbly effect. Include fresh fruits to drop into the glass for a fun touch! By presenting separately, guests can decide if they want just juice, just bubbles or both.
- Infused Flavored Water Bar: beverage dispensers or glass pitchers with chilled water and a burst of flavor infusion make for a pretty display that is super budget friendly! Think cucumber water, citrus fruits, cucumber mint, muddled berries, watermelon, lemon lavender, or perhaps strawberry basil?
- Tea Bar*: hot or cold, you pick! Brewed cold tea (easy DIY!) with lemons is perfect for a hot day. Hot tea selections served with lemon and honey add a nice option for colder months.
- Flavored Lemonade Bar: similar to the flavored water option, get creative with fruits and herb combos. Add even more color to the table with sliced lemons and mini skewers of the fruits you’ve used.
- Hot Cocoa Bar*: whether premade in bulk or offered as hot water with individual packets, this is one of my favorite beverage stations to set up. Adding dissolvable chocolate spoons, chocolate sprinkles/shavings, whipped cream, peppermint sticks, mini marshmallows, chocolate or caramel syrups… the ideas are endless!
- Hot or Cold Cider*: whether hot or cold, cinnamon sticks, caramel syrup, and whipped cream are fun additions. Mulled ciders can be made non-alcoholic for more flavor options.
- Coffee Bar*: a coffee bar doesn’t necessarily mean you need several flavored coffees. Enhancing flavor options with different flavored creamers will do the trick.
- Premade Mocktails: still want to offer a “his & hers” (his & his, hers & hers, whatever you need)? Make a date night out of experimenting with flavor combinations and offer each in pretty dispensers.
*If DIYing beverages, most rental companies offer dispensers that will keep your hot beverages hot, for self-service purposes. Marketplace is also a great option if you can catch a restaurant or catering company that may be closing and selling off their supplies.
All the add-ons and garnishes I’ve suggested to accompany drinks may sound the opposite of “budget friendly” but I promise you that if these are offered in lieu of alcohol, the savings are MASSIVE.
Cheers!
Helping YOU say ‘I-DO’,
Your WedUcator