When I first got sober, one of the ways that I romanticized my drinking was to fondly reminisce about my famous holiday wine and cheese parties. These parties would start out sophisticated enough. My friends and I would pick out a bottle (or three) of wine each and prepare some background information about our vino to present to the group. We’d sip, then nibble on cheese, and honey, and figs, and dates. All very grown up, until we got knee deep in drunk and would toss the remaining presentations out the window as we gulped down bottle after bottle singing, “They tried to make me go to rehab, I said no, no, no!” I’d wake up the next day with a pounding headache, surrounded by a cloud of cigarette smoke, mounds of melted brie, and crackers crushed in my furniture. Not so glamorous. The irony of singing along to Amy Winehouse in the midst of my full on addiction provides me with a much clearer perspective. I am grateful to be alive, healthy, and happy — all of this means so much more to me than swigging fancy wine with fancy cheese.

Some people pity me that I cannot drink, especially around the holidays. But, sobriety has made my world so much bigger, not smaller. For example, I no longer default to the routine pairing of food with wine. Instead, I can really think about complex food and drink pairings that are layered and interesting. And, no, I’m not just talking about Ring Dings and Pepsi! Here are 10 holiday mocktail and hors d’oeuvre pairings that will put that predictable wine and cheese to shame:

1. Fig and Thyme Fizz with Homemade Ricotta, Prosciutto, and Arugula Bruschetta

via The Merry Thought / A Red Binder

2. Pom Berry Bellini with Tuna Tartare on Nori Chips

via Chloe Crabtree / Blogging Over Thyme

3. Asian Pear Sparkler with Fresh Vegan Spring Salad Rolls

via the kitchn / Sweet Vegan

4. Rose Grapefruit Mocktail with Pistachio Halvah and Sesame Salt Topped Mini Chocolate Tarts

via The Merry Thought / Bon Appetit

5. Fennel Apple Spritzer with Pickled Baby Beets, Herbed Goat Cheese, and Kumquats

via Saveur / Never Enough Thyme

6. Rhubarb Soda with Citrus-Cured Salmon

via apt2bbakingco / Martha Stewart

7. Mexican Chocolate Mocktini with Pancake Hors d’Oeuvres

via HGTV / Family Bites

8. Citrus and Rosemary Ice Tea with Pancetta-Wrapped Peaches, Basil, and Aged Balsamic

via Bite Size Wellness / Food & Wine

9. Virgin Tamarind Margarita with Chicken Flautas

via La Fuji Mama / Food Charlatan

10. Blackberry Spritzers with Tangerine Caprese Kebab

via Taste Food / Food & Wine

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