Hosting
A non-alcoholic drink station for holiday parties
A good alcohol-free drink station has a hot option, a cold option and a sparkling one: a coffee maker or kettle with cocoa and tea, mulling spices for cider, a sparkling water maker, a pitcher and an ice bucket. Label everything and put out mugs and glasses.
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Guests who do not drink alcohol, whether by choice, health or because they are driving, are often given only water or soda. A thoughtful station gives them something festive, and it is easy for you to set up once.
Plan for three things: something hot, something cold and something fizzy.
How to choose
- A hot option. A coffee maker or an electric kettle with cocoa, tea and cider spices covers most guests.
- A cold option. A pitcher of water with fruit and an ice bucket for cans or bottles.
- Something fizzy. A sparkling water maker or flavored seltzer feels like a treat.
- A toppings corner. Syrups, stirring spoons and cinnamon sticks make drinks look special.
Put the station away from the food so queues do not block the table, and label each drink.
Tools that help
-
BLACK+DECKER 12-cup drip coffee makerOur pick
A 12-cup coffee maker handles the morning-after crowd.
- Listing says:
- 12-cup glass carafe; programmable timer; Sneak-A-Cup pause; standard paper filter basket; 4.5 lb
- Best for:
- Hosts with overnight guests.
- Skip:
- if you are serving more than about 12 cups at a time; this is a home carafe, not a party urn.
-
Cuisinart electric kettle with 6 temperature presets
A kettle with presets heats water to the right temperature for green tea, coffee and oolong.
- Listing says:
- Cuisinart 1.7 L, 1500W; 6 presets from 160 to 200 °F; 30-minute keep warm; boil-dry auto shutoff
- Look for:
- Preset temperatures and a 1.7-liter size.
- Best for:
- Tea and coffee lovers.
- Skip:
- if they own a stove kettle they love.
-
Ghirardelli premium hot cocoa envelopes
A box of cocoa packets is a simple host gift.
- Listing says:
- 15 envelopes; 22.7 oz total; Ghirardelli Premium
- Skip:
- for guests who avoid dairy; check the label.
-
Candy cane peppermint stirring spoons, 12-set
Peppermint spoons turn a mug of hot chocolate into a small treat and are easy to tuck into a card.
- Listing says:
- 12 individually wrapped peppermint candy spoons
- Look for:
- Individually wrapped spoons and a seal.
- Best for:
- Cocoa fans and gift-basket builders.
- Skip:
- if you want a sugar-free option; these are candy spoons.
-
Olde Tradition mulling spices in tea bags
Mulling spices turn cider into a hot drink that fills the house with a warm smell.
- Listing says:
- 24 tea bags of mulling spices
- Skip:
- if you do not have cider to simmer; these are mulling spice tea bags, not a drink.
-
Torani flavored syrup variety pack
A set of café syrups lets people flavor lattes and cocoa.
- Listing says:
- set of 4 flavored syrups; 25.4 fl oz each
- Best for:
- Latte fans.
- Skip:
- if guests avoid added sugar; these are sweetened syrups.
-
SodaStream Terra sparkling water maker
A sparkling water maker supplies a festive non-alcoholic drink.
- Listing says:
- SodaStream Terra starter kit; Quick Connect 60 L CO2 cylinder; each cylinder makes up to 60 L (16 gal) of sparkling water
- Skip:
- if you need ready-made cans; this makes sparkling water at the counter and uses a CO2 cylinder (60 L per the listing).
-
Bivvclaz 2-liter glass pitcher with lid
A glass pitcher serves water, cider or iced tea.
- Listing says:
- 2 L (68 oz) borosilicate glass pitcher with lid; heat resistant; 1.9 lb
- Skip:
- if you need more than 68 oz at once.
-
Brita large 10-cup water filter pitcher
A filter pitcher keeps filtered water ready for guests.
- Listing says:
- Brita 10-cup pitcher with 1 filter
- Skip:
- if you already have a filter pitcher; the filter needs periodic replacement.
-
OGGI acrylic oval party tub
A party tub chills sodas and sparkling water.
- Listing says:
- acrylic oval party tub with handles; about 18.5 x 11 x 9 in; 2.2 lb
- Skip:
- if your fridge door is your cooler; the tub is about 18.5 x 11 x 9 in.
-
Bamboo mug tree holder
A mug tree frees up counter space for hot drinks.
- Listing says:
- bamboo mug tree with 6 hooks; about 14 x 6.3 in; removable
- Skip:
- if your mugs are very heavy; check the hook capacity.
-
LIBWYS double-walled borosilicate glass mugs, 6 pack
Double-walled glass mugs keep a drink hot and look good with coffee and tea.
- Listing says:
- 6 mugs of 12 oz each; double-wall borosilicate glass; microwave and dishwasher safe
- Look for:
- A set of six and a heat-resistant glass.
- Best for:
- Hosts and coffee fans.
- Skip:
- if you want ceramic; these are double-wall glass.
-
Libbey heavy base drinking glasses, set of 8
A set of eight sturdy glasses covers a dinner.
- Listing says:
- set of 8; each holds 15.5 oz; heavy base; hand wash only
- Skip:
- if you want a dishwasher-safe set; the listing says hand wash only.
What the listings say, and how the picks fit together
The specs above come from each product’s own Amazon listing, opened on October 25, 2026. Listings change, so check the live page. Sizing a station by the numbers:
- Hot drinks. One 12-cup coffee maker and a 1.7 L kettle give you roughly 12 cups and about 6 cups of hot water at once. For a crowd, plan on running both and keeping a backup.
- Cold drinks. The glass pitcher holds 2 L (68 oz), the Brita is a 10-cup pitcher, and one SodaStream 60 L CO2 cylinder can make up to 60 L of sparkling water per the listing.
- Sweet things need labels. The syrups, candy spoons and cocoa contain sugar and dairy; mark them so guests can choose.
- Serveware. The mug set is 6 mugs of 12 oz each and the glasses are 8 at 15.5 oz, so you will need more for a big party. The ice tub measures about 18.5 x 11 x 9 in; check your table space.
- Mulling spices are an ingredient. They need a pot of cider on the stove or in a slow cooker.
What to skip
- Complicated drink menus. Three or four choices are plenty.
- Sugary mixes as the only option.
- Open flames under warming dishes in a crowded room.
- Fragile glassware around children.
For the food, see holiday table setting supplies and hosting kitchen essentials. For the coffee and tea drinkers, gifts for coffee and tea lovers.
Questions people ask
What should I serve guests who do not drink alcohol?
Offer a hot drink (cocoa, tea, cider), a cold one (water with fruit) and something fizzy. Label them clearly so guests know the options without having to ask.
How do I keep hot drinks warm at a party?
Use an insulated carafe, a slow cooker on warm or a coffee maker with a warming plate. Keep cups, spoons and a trash spot close by.
How much should I make for a crowd?
Plan about one drink per guest per hour, with a mix of hot and cold. Make a little extra cocoa and cider; they often go quickly.