Cranberry Sparkler   Mulled Cider   Virgin Mojito   Virgin Kir Royale

There’s no better way to cap off the holidays than to throw a New Year’s Eve party. If you’re looking to garner extra praise at this year’s celebration, offer your guests the option of nonalcoholic cocktails. The designated drivers in the crowd, not to mention any pregnant guests, will be thrilled – and you can rest assured that your friends will get home safe and sound.

Dean Paul, general manager of Lake Norman Sports Grill in Cornelius, says any virgin drink that’s put in the right glassware and garnished properly is going to have a good look. “You can also add a splash of pineapple juice to just about any drink,” he says. “When you shake it, it makes the top a little frothy.”

To help you create a unique drink menu that guests are sure to enjoy, we asked Paul and experts from several other area restaurants for some of their tastiest and most festive nonalcoholic recipes.

Virgin Mojito
From Lake Norman Sports Grill. “It looks good and sexy in a Collins glass if it’s garnished correctly,” Dean Paul, general manager of Lake Norman Sports Grill in Cornelius says. “It’s very refreshing – like a minty club soda. It’s something that a male or female would feel comfortable drinking.”

Six mint leaves
1 ounce simple syrup (sugar water)
1 ounce fresh lime juice
Ice
4 ounces club soda

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the mint, simple syrup and lime juice. Add ice, shake well and pour into a Collins glass. Top with club soda. Garnish with mint sprig and a lime.

Virgin Kir Royale
From Lake Norman Sports Grill. “It’s a cute, good-looking New Year’s drink,” says Paul. “You can go with either cranberry or pomegranate juice. Both have a nice, dark color. You can add tonic to lighten it up, give it a softer, pink color.”

6 ounces white sparkling apple cider
Half-ounce cranberry juice (or pomegranate)
Garnish with a raspberry
Mix ingredients and serve in a fluted glass.

Mulled Cider
From North Harbor Club. “You can strain out the cloves, or leave the cloves in there, (it) looks cool with them floating around,” Todd Offchiss, bar manager at North Harbor Club in Davidson, says of his mulled cider. “And you can garnish it with a cinnamon stick or an orange slice.”

4 cups apple cider
1 tablespoon of orange zest
3 to 4 whole cloves
Half-teaspoon of nutmeg and cinnamon

Combine all the ingredients in a medium saucepan. Lightly simmer over medium-low heat for 10 minutes. Serve in a mug.

Cranberry or Pomegranate Sparkler
From Soiree. Bartender Amanda Gibson says Mooresville’s Soiree has served this tasty cocktail for the past few years and it’s always a hit with the folks during the holidays. “They’re really tasty and refreshing,” she says. “The Sprite adds the perfect sparkle.”

2 parts cranberry or pomegranate juice
1 part sweet and sour mix
1 part Sprite

Stir to combine ingredients; serve over ice. If desired, garnish with pomegranate seeds, or cranberries if you’re using cranberry juice.

More info:

• Amanda Gibson at Soiree, 704-660-9106
• Dean Paul at Lake Norman Sports Grill, 704-895-5115
• Todd Offchiss at North Harbor Club, 704-896-5559