Many Latter-day Saints aren’t particularly adventuresome when it comes to serving drinks at mormon get-togethers. If you go to a mormon party you will often find that there isn’t much of a variety when it comes to beverages. It is likely that you will have to choose between the most inexpensive generic band of Rootbeer, Lemon-Lime soda, Orange soda, or if it is the season, Steven’s Hot Chocolate.
Faithful members of the church live by a dietary law called “The Word of Wisdom” which prohibits drinking Cofee, Tea, and Alcoholic beverages. Many also avoid drinks containing Caffeine, though it is not explicitly required (the church owned Brigham Young University does not sell cafinated drinks on campus).
Latter-day Saints are also often quit frugal, and this also affects what they drink. I attended a Mormon “bachelor” party recently in a beautiful, multi-million dollar home. What did they have to drink? Generic-brand Rootbeer, Sprite, and water.
So, this holiday season, I thought it would be fun to compile a list of Mormon Friendly beverages that one might consider serving at party for a little more variety. By Mormon friendly I mean drinks that not only strictly comply with the official Word of Wisdom restrictions, but drinks that could easily be stocked and sold at the Creamery on BYU campus—no caffeine; drinks that shouldn’t give even the more fastidious Word-of-Wisdom-Czar any reason to worry.
Here are a few of my favorites, most of which are currently available at the BYU Creamery or Church-owned Deseret Bookstore. They should all be served cold:
Apple Beer
http://www.applebeer.com
Recently, Apple Beer has become my favorite Mormon-Friendly soda. It is not too strong and has a nice subtle flavor and after-taste. It bills itself as the “Soft Drink with a Head.” Get it in the bottles if you can, the flavor is much better that way.
Stewart’s Key Lime
http://www.drinkstewarts.com/flavors.html#keylime
Before Apple Beer, my favorite Mormon-Friendly soda was Stewart’s Key Lime. Stewart’s has quite a number of other flavors too, a few of which I have not tried, but the Key Lime soda is great. A very unique and pleasant flavor.
Sangria Señorial
http://www.novamex.com/sangria_senorial.sstg
I discovered Sangria Señorial late one night on a late-night snack run as a BYU student some years ago. Not everyone likes the flavor, but I love it. Looking for something that tastes exotic? Sangrial Señorial is it.
Please contribute your own favorite Mormon-Friendly drinks in the comments or by email and I will try to add them to the list (with a picture if possible).