I like a base that can be mixed with alcohol, or not. If “or not” then usually soda/seltzer or something a little more interesting than plain water helps make it a party drink.
As with @mig I learned to make shrubs a few years ago (cold method - iirc @shrinkrap has a couple of threads going), and love them for these types of things. I will say though that for a non-alcoholic drink, you do have to be much more careful about the type of vinegar or it can be overwhelming.
My favorite shrubs so far, that work with alcohol and without:
- Watermelon (you have to like cucumber, because it starts to taste a bit cucumber-y). This is also really good with lime or mint or both.
- Orange - this is like orangina. Just delicious. Fauxrangina
- Lemon - a great make-ahead lemonade, and can be combined with other things to fancy it up (I’ve combined with ginger shrub or simple syrup, mint simple syrup, and so on)
- Blackberry - this takes on a very savory flavor, interestingly. Lovely mixer for seltzer/soda/sparkling water/sparkling wine.
- Ginger - this can be potent, so a ginger syrup is sometimes lighter for non-alcoholic use.
If people are avoiding sugar, you can also make a sugarless base with something like orange blossom water, rose water, or steeped saffron to enhance a glass of plain sparkling water or seltzer. Or a big jug of iced water with muddled mint, or slices of citrus (I’m not a cucumber person though people love it).
Years ago my uncle made me a glass of sparkling water with a splash of cranberry juice and a squeeze of lime, and it’s still one of my favorite things to drink when I want a glass of something but not alcohol.
