4 Non-Alcoholic Drinks to Enjoy During the Preakness Stakes

By Matthew Boyle
COO of Landmark Recovery

The Preakness Stakes is one of the biggest horse races of the year. As such, it’s become a weeklong cause for celebration across the United States.

For recovering alcoholics however, it can be difficult to be confronted by the onslaught of parties and alcohol consumption. However, that shouldn’t deter anyone from having a good time while watching all the great racing action. If you or a friend/family member is going to be partaking in the Preakness Stakes festivities, but hope to refrain from consuming alcohol, here are some great non-alcoholic drink recipes to try out!

Horses Neck (Without the Horse’s Kick)

This famous Southern drink dates back to the early days of the Preakness Stakes. Originally, it was a non-alcoholic mix of ginger ale, ice and lemon peel. However, brandy and bourbon were later added to give it a bit of a kick. If you’re looking to offer this drink, but want to skip the kicking part, just follow these instructions.

Ingredients:

• 5 Quarts Ginger Ale
• 75 Quart of Lemon Juice
• Bag of Lemons
• Ice cubes

Using a channel knife, peel one lemon into one long spiral. For a tutorial on how to do this, watch this video. Twist the peel around your finger to get the signature coil look. Drop the lemon coil into a highball glass and fill with ice. Add a splash of lemon juice and fill the rest to the top with ginger ale.

Southern Sweet Tea

Ah, Southern Sweet Tea. The nectar of the gods and antidote for all that ails. We won’t tell you that there’s a single way to make sweet tea, but here’s an easy recipe to start out with that will ensure you’ve added the correct amount of Southern flair for your Preakness Stakes celebration. Did you know, in 2003, the Georgia Legislature introduced a bill that made it a misdemeanor for restaurants not to offer sweet tea. Okay, it was an April Fools joke, but southerns didn’t complain!

Ingredients:

• 3 family-sized black tea bags
• 4 cups of water
• 1 cup of sugar
• Mint leaves
• Bag of lemons
• Small saucepan
• Long-handled spoon
• Large 1-gallon pitcher

First, bring the 4 cups of water to a boil, then remove from the heat. Leave the tea bags submerged in the pot for 5 minutes, dipping occasionally to help the process. After 5 minutes, remove the bags and add 1 cup of sugar to the pot. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Pour the mixture into the gallon pitcher. Top off the rest of the pitcher with water and chill overnight, or if you’re in a pinch, for at least 4 hours.

Once it’s finished, serve over ice and add mint leaves and a slice lemon for a little extra flair. To make sweeter, add more sugar as you see fit before placing in the fridge.

Lemon Green Iced Tea

Looking to shake things up when it comes to tea offerings this year? Green tea is a refreshing beverage that can help you wake up and feel hydrated under the muggy Maryland skies. Plus, it comes packed with natural antioxidants to promote a healthy body.

Ingredients:

• 2 stalks of chopped, fresh lemongrass
• Mint leaves
• 75 cup of honey
• 25 cup of loose-leaf green tea
• 5 cups of water

In a medium saucepan, bring the 5 cups of water, mixed with the 2 stalks of lemongrass, to a boil. Afterwards, remove from the heat and stir in the remaining honey, green tea, and mint leaves. Pour into a 64-ounce pitcher and add ice until full. Refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours and strain. Serve with ice and add a slice of lemon for garnish.

Pineapple Ginger Sparkler

This drink is a perfect way to refresh from a long day in the heat, and it only takes a couple of hours worth of preparation to truly master. Tangy and cool, the exotic blend of fruits along with carbonation will translate to happy guests.

Ingredients:

• 5 cups of water
• 1 cup of sugar
• 25 lbs of fresh ginger
• 3 cups of unsweetened pineapple juice
• 5 lemons
• 5 limes
• 3 cups of sparkling water
• Ice cubes

Mix the water, sugar and fresh ginger into a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Simmer for 10 minutes and remove from the heat and steep for 15 minutes. Once it has become slightly more viscous, sieve into a small bowl, discarding the ginger. Place into refrigerator and let sit for 2 hours.

After two hours, remove the bowl of ginger syrup. In a pitcher, squeeze 1 quarter cup of lemon and 1 quarter cup of lime, and 3 cups of unsweetened pineapple juice and stir in the 3 cups of sparkling water. Pour the syrup into the pitcher and mix until fully saturated. Serve over ice and garnish with lemon and lime slices.

Thanks for checking out our list! Make sure to have fun and stay safe during the week’s festivities. Reach out to Landmark Recovery if you’re looking for more educational resources on addiction, treatment options, and top rehabs in Louisville Kentucky.