Get the Spirit of a Spirit-Free Yule : Non-Alcoholic Beverages for the Designated Driver

Smart, safe drinking is the byword for holiday parties. The following non-alcoholic beverages are interesting options for designated drivers and others who prefer not to drink spirits.

Cranberries on swizzle sticks make a pretty seasonal garnish for Sleigh Ride, a cider-based drink contributed by the Ritz Carlton at Laguna Niguel, or for 12 O’Clock Clang, a New Year’s beverage that is based on cranberry juice cocktail.

The Claim Company, a restaurant outside Chicago, offers Nota Daiquiri, a variation on the strawberry daiquiri. Banana Bliss is a banana-citrus drink from El San Juan Hotel in Puerto Rico, and Easy Banana Shake is an alternative for the diet-conscious made with low-fat yogurt and low-fat milk.

SLEIGH RIDE

1/2 cup half and half

1/2 cup apple cider

2 teaspoons sugar

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

4 or 5 ice cubes

Fresh cranberries

Combine half and half, cider, sugar, nutmeg and ice cubes in blender container. Cover and process until foamy and ice is almost melted. Pour into cocktail glasses. Garnish with cranberries mounted on a swizzle stick. Makes 2 cups.

12 O’CLOCK CLANG

1 1/2 cups bottled cranberry juice cocktail

1/3 cup peach nectar

1/8 teaspoon mint flavoring

4 or 5 ice cubes

Combine cranberry juice, peach nectar, mint flavoring and ice cubes in blender container. Cover and process until foamy and ice is almost melted. Pour into cocktail glasses. Serve at once. Makes about 2 cups.

NOTA DAIQUIRI

1 cup strawberries

1/4 cup bottled sweet-and-sour mix

4 or 5 ice cubes

Additional strawberries

Mint leaves

Wash and hull strawberries. Combine berries, sweet-and-sour mix and ice cubes in blender container. Cover and blend until foamy and ice is almost melted. Pour into cocktail glasses and garish each with a strawberry and mint leaf. Makes about 2 cups.

BANANA BLISS

1 banana, quartered

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup cream of coconut

1/4 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon lemon juice

4 or 5 ice cubes

Dash grenadine, optional

Orange slices

Combine banana, milk, cream of coconut, orange juice, lemon juice and ice cubes in blender container. Add grenadine, if desired. Cover and process until foamy and ice is almost melted. Pour into cocktail glasses. Garnish each serving with orange slice. Makes 2 cups.

EASY BANANA SHAKE

1/3 cup frozen orange juice concentrate

1/2 banana, sliced

1 cup low-fat yogurt

1 cup low-fat milk

3 or 4 ice cubes

Combine concentrate, banana, yogurt, milk and ice cubes in blender container. Blend until smooth. Serve in chilled glasses. Makes about 3 cups.