QUICK help needed - nonalcoholic beverage for dinner party

[makarios]

Can anyone suggest an easy, chilled, non-alcoholic beverage recipe for a small dinner party? The dinner is tonight, and the menu will be meat-free, though otherwise I don't know what will be served. My searches so far are yielding lots of recipes for cocktails, smoothies, and things that need to sit overnight. I have about two hours to come up with something.

Many thanks in advance!

Robin

[wallycat]

Iced tea,
lemon aide
sparkling water with lime,
milk drinkers?

non-alcoholic beer?

[Canice]

Does it have to be mocktail or just a beverage? I'd stick with a simple mango iced tea or mineral water w/cranberry juice or a nice Italian soda like blood orange. But I'd definitely have at least the mineral water or something neutral since you don't know what's on the menu.

[ChristyMarie]

I agree, I'd do iced tea. Perfect summer drink. You could do flavored if you wanted.

Sparkling water w/lime is also a great way to go.

[makarios]

Thanks!

I always drink just plain iced tea when out or water at home, but plain tea didn't seem festive enough to bring and I was drawing a complete blank on other options. Definitely didn't want to show up with a two-litre bottle of soda!

I think I'll bring iced tea (with dress-up options like ginger or mint) and sparkling water with mixer options like lime and cranberry juice -- those both sounded really refreshing!

Thanks, everyone, for helping me out of my brain freeze!

[Robyn1007]

You could bring lemonade as well for arnold palmers. Either way I'd have something other than iced tea as well since some (like me) don't like it.

[JulieM]

A variety of fruit juices mixed with sparkling water over ice is also refreshing, tasty and fun.

[HealthyinMN]

We liked this...

Watermelon Agua Fresca



8 cups cubed seeded watermelon, divided
1 cup water, divided
1/3 cup granulated sugar, divided
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
1 liter seltzer water, pre-chilled

Puree half of the cubed watermelon, half the water and half the sugar in a blender. Pour through a coarse strainer into a large container. Repeat with the remaining watermelon, water and sugar. Stir in lime juice. Refrigerate until very cold - at least 4 hours.

Before serving, stir in seltzer and garnish with fresh lime slices if desired.