What to Drink When You're Not Drinking

I've decided to take a sabbatical from drinking alcohol for the next month. It's not that I drink all that much-I generally have a moderate one-to-two glasses of wine a night. But lately, I've been drinking a bit more than I would like due to birthdays and dinner parties. The result: I feel tired, have less money in my pocket, and I'm taking in more calories than I should. So I've come up with three ways to make it through the next 30 days alcohol-free:

1. When out with friends I will drink a seltzer with fruit juice or have a fancy mocktail.

2. At home, I will up a batch of mocktails to have on hand when I crave a glass of wine.

3. I will meet friends at coffee houses instead of bars.

Lemon Verbena Soda

Epicurious | December 2005

Adapted from Clio, Boston, MA

Yield: Serves 4

This refreshing, slightly sweet soda is one of several kinds that Erin O'Shea, sommelier at Clio, in Boston, pairs with chef Ken Oringer's exciting food as part of the restaurant's nonalcoholic drink program.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup water

  • 1/4 cup sugar

  • 10 fresh leaves lemon verbena

  • 4 cups chilled club soda or seltzer

Preparation

In heavy medium saucepan over medium heat, stir together water and sugar until sugar dissolves. Simmer 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and add lemon verbena. Let steep 10 minutes, then strain. Fill 4 tall glasses with ice. Divide syrup among them, pour in club soda, stir, and serve.

Any other ideas as to how curb any cravings for a glass of vino?

By Carolina Santos-Neves

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