12 Non-Alcoholic Drinks for a House Party (Easy Ideas for Indian Hosts)
Not everyone drinks, but everyone wants something good in their glass. Here are twelve easy non-alcoholic drinks for a house party, and a simple plan so you are not stuck at the counter all night.
The best house parties have one thing in common: a host who is actually at the party. That means choosing drinks that are easy to make in quantity, look good, and suit everyone, including people who don't drink alcohol, designated drivers and anyone keeping an early morning.
How much to plan per guest
- Drinks: plan on about 3 drinks per guest for a 3 to 4 hour evening, and a little more if it's hot or there's dancing.
- Ice: about ½ kg per guest. You will always need more ice than you think.
- Glasses: 1.5 per guest, because people put glasses down and forget them.
- Water: keep a jug of plain chilled water out. It's the drink people want most at the end of the night.
12 non-alcoholic drinks for a house party
1. Blue Lagoon mocktail
Bright blue, citrusy and fizzy, and always the first drink people photograph. See our Blue Lagoon mocktail recipe.
2. Virgin mojito
Mint, lime and soda. Easy to batch and loved by everyone. Here's how to make a virgin mojito without making it bitter.
3. Virgin cosmopolitan
Tangy cranberry in a stemmed glass, for when you want the party to feel a little more dressed up. See the virgin cosmo recipe.
4. Masala shikanji soda
Nimbu pani with roasted jeera powder, kala namak and a little sugar, topped with soda. It's familiar, cheap and goes perfectly with fried snacks.
5. Jaljeera cooler
Ready jaljeera powder plus chilled soda, a squeeze of lime and boondi on top for crunch. Bold and digestive after a heavy meal.
6. Kokum sharbat fizz
Kokum concentrate with soda and a pinch of salt. Deep ruby colour, tangy, and very refreshing.
7. Watermelon mint cooler
Blend watermelon, strain it, add lime and torn mint, and serve over ice. Make a big jug and it disappears.
8. Iced lemon tea
Brew strong tea, sweeten it while it's hot, cool it, then add lemon and lots of ice. Great for daytime parties.
9. Cold coffee
The crowd favourite for late nights and study-group parties. Blend coffee, milk, sugar and ice just before serving.
10. Aam panna fizz
Raw mango panna concentrate topped with soda. Seasonal, nostalgic and sweet-sour.
11. Rose lemonade
A spoon of rose syrup in fresh lemonade, with a few rose petals if you have them. Pretty, light, and good at festive get-togethers.
12. Instant mocktail sachets
For zero prep, set out Partay sachets in Blue Lagoon, Cosmopolitan and Mojito. Guests tear one, add 200 ml of chilled water or soda, and stir. Each drink is 7 calories and alcohol-free, and nobody has to wait for the host to make it.
Set up a DIY mocktail bar
A self-serve station saves you hours and becomes a conversation spot. Here's what to put on it:
- A big ice bucket with a scoop. Refill it every hour.
- Bases: chilled soda, still water, and one or two juices.
- Flavours: syrups, a jug of fresh lime juice, or a bowl of instant mocktail sachets.
- Garnishes: lemon wheels, mint sprigs, orange peel and a small bowl of chaat masala.
- A small sign or card with two or three "recipes" so guests know what to make.
- Glasses, stirrers and napkins, plus a bin bag nearby.
Keep soda cold: stand bottles in a bucket of ice and water. Ice-water chills faster than ice alone.
A quick drinks budget for 20 guests
| Item | How much | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks | About 60 servings | 3 per guest over an evening |
| Ice | About 10 kg | ½ kg per guest |
| Soda / water | About 12 litres | 200 ml per drink, plus plain water |
| Partay sachets (optional) | 60 sachets, about ₹1,200 | ₹20 each, one per drink |
Mix and match: make one signature drink from scratch, like a big jug of virgin mojito, and let the sachets handle the rest. You get the homemade touch without spending the party in the kitchen.
One ₹20 sachet + 200 ml water or soda = a 7-calorie, alcohol-free mocktail in 10 seconds. In select stores in Gurugram & Alwar, with bulk orders shipped Pan India.