Friend coming over for a meal - alternative to wine?

[KStockHERO]

I have a friend coming around for tea/dinner next week. I'd like to offer her something a bit more adult than orange squash with our meal 😅

What drink (non-alcoholic) can I serve as a wine alternative?

Is non-alcoholic wine the answer? If so, what's a good one?

Thank you!

If your friend drinks it’s only fair provide something that they would want to drink. I’m tee total i always have the booze cupboard available for the drinkers

I was just going to suggest the very same, those are my go to.

Iced tea 🫣

Can you not get a couple of those small wine bottles in, then if she wants a glass of wine she can have one and there's no waste?

I'd offer a fizzy drink and orange juice. Mind you my DD doesn't drink alcohol and doesn't like soft drinks. She'd rather have water with her meal and a herbal tea afterwards!

If you're going to get a non alcoholic wine/gin etc, do check their reasons for not drinking, ie they don't like taste of alcohol, trying to avoid, other reason (ie drink problem). My DD nearly died from drinking too much (not many know this) and the last thing she wants is anything similar to alcohol now.

I also agree it is a bit rude to invite a friend round for dinner and then unilaterally decide she can’t have a glass of wine. I would have a half bottle (or the single glass) just in case. Otherwise I agree with many of the others - who wants a sweet fizzy drink with food? If I’m not drinking, I much prefer water.

What are you going to say? “I’ve decided we’re not drinking so please choose a soft drink?” Again, a bit rude. Why don’t you just get a bottle of wine in and not have any yourself if you really don’t want to drink?

I don’t think it’s very hospitable to not offer an alcoholic drink. Doesn’t have to be wine, it could be a bottle of beer or spirit and mixer if you’re worried about opened wine going off during the week. I’m not a big drinker at all, quite often only have one alcoholic drink a week, but I’d still find it odd not to be offered any kind of alcohol if invited to someone’s house for dinner.

But back to the original question, I find Schloer far too sweet as an adult (loved it as a kid!!) but Belvoir branded cordials with sparkling water are a bit less sweet.

I'm pg and my mother in law got me some of this, I really liked it :)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Belle-Co-Rose-Alcohol-Sparkling/dp/B085Y32X1P/ref=mpssa114?crid=2M8SGE6JSBBG6&keywords=alcohol+free+prosecco&qid=1699370347&sprefix=alcohol+free+%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-4

Would people really be offended at not being offered an alcoholic drink?! She's not going to die of thirst!

I don’t think people are saying it’s rude not to offer alcohol generally, more that it’s a bit rude and odd to decide your guest isn’t allowed alcohol because it’s Tuesday. Most people can decide those things for themselves.

Personally I’d buy in her favourite alcohol or even a bottle of wine. Give her a glass or 2 and give her the bottle to take home so you can still keep to no alcohol.

You can avoid it but I wouldn’t be so happy evening meal at a friends with no wine. At least if you have got it / offered it that’s fine otherwise you might seem too controlling / boring as a friend

If my friend simply doesn’t have any booze in, no worries, I would not be ‘offended’ and would happily have water with my meal.

However i would find it rude if my host decided that I can’t have alcohol because it’s a weekday night.

it’s bad hosting.

It wouldn’t bother me if there was no wine.

This is really nice especially ice cold.

Totally disagree - its hideous!!

Is this horribly sweet like others?

Surely she can have wine if she wants it?

I like sparkling kombucha when I’m not drinking.
I usually buy it from Booths.

Just offer her a glass of bloody wine!

Personally I think it is a bit mean not to offer her wine just because you have given it up for November. Buy a screwtop bottle and send her home with the left over.

I am not a fan of elderflower flavoured drinks or a lot of flavoured cordials. Personally I would prefer still water with ice, lime, mint and maybe cucumber in it

I'd want a beer with chili but if you're adamant, a regular Coke.

You don't need to serve the rice; garlic bread and salad are plenty of sides. Have brownies for dessert.

Yes, you need to have some wine in. Don't assume your guest won't want a glass or two.

I'd have lucky saint beer with that. It's excellent 😇 we have a subscription DH likes it so much.

What do you like to drink? I'd get in some of that.

I don't drink and personally, I'd be happy with some elderflower presse or an AF beer or a tonic with a slice. I also quite enjoy a nosecco from time to time.

But as your friend does (may?) drink, I think you can just say, I'm doing an alcohol free month, will have some (insert whatever you're getting in), but if you want to bring anything for yourself, feel free.

This means she can bring some wine, if she wants to (if you are okay with that, I assume you are okay with people drinking around you, heck, I'm an alcoholic and I don't mind people bringing alcohol for themselves to my house, I just don't drink it). But you are letting her know you aren't drinking, so she knows the expectation is off the table.