How to Throw an Alcohol-Free Barbecue, Cookout or Wedding
What to serve, how much to buy, big-batch drinks and ideas for barbecues, holiday cookouts and weddings.
An alcohol-free party works when the drinks are as considered as the food. Pick one big-batch drink, keep a cooler of non-alcoholic beer and something sparkling for a toast, and plan on two or three drinks a guest. Make it easy to serve yourself, and give people something to do besides stand at the bar. Here’s how for a backyard barbecue, a holiday cookout like Labor Day, and a wedding.
Four bottles that cover a party
- <0.5%
- Never Alcoholized
- United States
- 0.0%
- Never Alcoholized
- France
How much to buy
| For | Plan on |
|---|---|
| Drinks | Two or three a guest |
| A toast | One 750 ml bottle for about six flutes |
| Wine with food | One 750 ml bottle for about five glasses |
| A pitcher drink | One pitcher for about six to eight glasses |
| Ice | A common rule of thumb is a pound a guest; more on a hot day |
Buying by the case is easiest for a crowd; see sets and samplers.
Backyard barbecue
Fill a cooler
Non-alcoholic beer, sparkling water and a ginger beer, iced well before guests arrive. Browse every beer.
Make one big batch
A pitcher of sangria or a spritz station lets guests serve themselves.
Match the grill
Rosé and crisp beer with burgers, chicken and fish; a light red with ribs and steak. See pairing food with non-alcoholic red wine.
Something for the kids
A Shirley Temple or lemonade, kept apart from the grown-up drinks.
Give people something to do
Lawn games, a playlist, a grill-off. Fewer people drift to the bar when there’s something else going on.
Labor Day and holiday cookouts
- Batch ahead. Make sangria or a syrup the day before; the party pours itself.
- Theme the drinks. A red, white and blue mocktail or a summer spritz gives the table a centerpiece.
- Keep it cold. Long afternoons outside mean more ice than you think, and shade for the cooler.
- Driving home. An alcohol-free cookout is one where everyone can drive.
Holiday season instead? See alcohol-free holiday parties. Birthday? Birthday party ideas. Baby shower? Drinks for a baby shower.
Weddings
- The toast: a 0.0% sparkling in flutes looks and feels like any toast. See non-alcoholic sparkling wine.
- A signature drink: name a mocktail after the couple; a French 75 or a spritz works well.
- A full bar menu: non-alcoholic beer, red, white and sparkling wine, plus two cocktails, covers almost everyone.
- Things to do: a photo booth, lawn games, a dessert table and dancing do the work an open bar usually does.
- Tell the venue and caterer early, especially if they usually provide the bar.
Being a good host
- Make the non-alcoholic drinks as good as everything else, with proper glasses, ice and a garnish.
- If you’re also serving alcohol, keep it clearly separate and labeled.
- Never push a drink; some guests may be pregnant, driving or in recovery. Here’s how to support friends who don’t drink.
For recipes, see 25 zero-proof cocktail recipes; for the bigger picture, our guide to alcohol-free living.
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Common questions
How do I host an alcohol-free party?
Make one big-batch drink, keep a cooler of non-alcoholic beer and sparkling water, have a sparkling wine for the toast, and plan games or music so the bar isn't the main event.
How many drinks do I need per guest?
Plan on two or three a guest. A 750 ml bottle pours about six toasts or five glasses with food; a pitcher about six to eight glasses.
What drinks go with a barbecue?
Non-alcoholic beer and rosé with burgers, chicken and fish; a light red with ribs and steak; sangria or a spritz for sharing.
How do you have a fun wedding without alcohol?
Toast with a 0.0% sparkling wine, serve a signature mocktail and a non-alcoholic beer and wine menu, and plan a photo booth, games and dancing.
