5 Steps to Host a Perfect Pregame
Ah, the time-honored tradition of the pre-game. After a long work week, adults around the country get together at a friend’s home for a few drinks before a big night out on the town.
All pregames start with great intentions - they offer a chance to enjoy a few drinks for significantly cheaper than they’d cost once you’re out for the night, and you get a chance to listen to whatever music, TV show, etc. that you’d like, all from the comfort of home.
The only problem with hosting a pregame is that one runs the risk of having too much fun too quickly, and ultimately drinks more than they meant to drink before heading out for the night. This can lead to poor decisions, overconsumption of alcohol, spending too much money, and even an untimely hangover while still out and about.
Not to worry. Ritual Zero Proof is here to help you take part in a revamped pregame, one that will allow you and your friends to enjoy some time together before going out while still helping you prepare for the adventures of the night ahead. Let’s jump into your new weekend pregame routine!
Step 1: Secure your libations
The first step in hosting a perfect pregame is to acquire the drinks you want to enjoy at home before heading out for the night. While beer and wine make great pregame beverages on their own, they’re easy drinks to overindulge in and can lead to feelings of tiredness, bloating, headaches, and worse before you even leave for the night. We recommend trying any of our non-alcoholic spirits like our whiskey, gin, tequila, or rum alternatives. These alcohol alternatives look, smell, taste, and even “bite” like their alcoholic counterparts, but are actually alcohol-free spirits. You can mix these in with regular spirits to make a low alcohol drink, or you can enjoy these alcohol-free liquors on their own!
Check out our store locator and find locations near you that sell Ritual Zero Proof!
Once you secure your favorite non-alcoholic spirits, it’s time to head home and get ready for the big night!
Step 2: Prepare your shower drink
Now that you’re home from a long day at the office, it’s time to wash away the workday funk. You may have heard of a “shower beer,” or a beer one enjoys while getting cleaned up for the evening. We’d like to introduce you to a new iteration of this time-honored tradition - the shower mocktail. Grab your favorite (non-glass) cup or mug, pick out a delicious drink from our mocktail list, and get crafting! Our non-alcoholic spirits mix beautifully with any mixer, bitter, fruit, soda, or other spirits, so don’t worry; your drink will taste delicious every single time. As an added benefit, because at least part of your drink will feature alcohol-free liquor, you don’t have to worry about drinking too much too quickly before your guests arrive!
Crank the shower on as hot as you like, take a sip of your ice-cold beverage, and let the warm water and soap suds wash away the grime of the workweek. All the good and bad things that happened this week are officially behind you, and it’s time to celebrate all your hard work in the office or at the gym with some great company. Don’t forget to pick out a special outfit!
Step 3: Select your playlist
One perk of hosting a pregame is that your guests get to enjoy a private concert hosted by their favorite DJ: you. This step is one of the most critical on the entire list; the right playlist can make or break an evening before it even starts.
Take a deep breath, sip back, and relax. Freshen your drink with one of our non-alcoholic spirits and think about the mood of the group. Did someone accomplish something big at work this week and needs to celebrate? Choose a high-energy pop or electronic playlist that will keep the energy, mood, and excitement high all night long. Did someone get some bad news and needs to blow off some steam? Classic rock, country, or R&B can help make that transition into the weekend a little smoother.
Step 4: Start bartending
As your guests arrive, start taking drink orders and get mixing behind the bar. Our selection of whiskey, gin, tequila, and rum alcohol replacements will allow you to make a wide variety of mocktails or low abv cocktails. Any of these alcohol-free liquors will pair perfectly to make weaker drinks or even non-alcoholic mocktails.
Recipes like our All-Day Margarita, Old Fashioned, and Cosmopolitan can be made quickly and easily, and will be a hit for just about any crowd.
Don’t forget to enjoy a drink or two for yourself though!
Step 5: Plan some games
Drinking games like Beer Pong, Ride the Bus, and Kings can be great ways to get conversations going while your guests are still arriving. Similarly, having fun and easy party-focused video games can be a great way to also entertain your guests while everyone continues to get ready to go out. Kick back, let loose, and have some fun - you’ve earned it!
Bonus Step: Plan a ride home
One non-negotiable is planning your rides to and from the bars. Just because you’ve been enjoying weaker drinks does not give you an excuse to drive, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Of course, all of our non-alcoholic spirits are made with absolutely zero alcohol, so if you or your guests have chosen not to drink (or at least didn’t consume a drink with alcohol), you’ll still be able to drive.
Also, plan ahead. Just because one didn’t drink at the pregame doesn’t mean they won’t drink while out at dinner or at the bars. Be smart, be safe, and enjoy a well-earned evening out with friends!
By taking a few intentional steps, you can host a pregame that, arguably, could be even better than the night out itself. Get ready to show everyone why you’re the best host around!
Don’t forget to check out our store locator and find locations near you that sell our non-alcoholic spirits, or go to our website and have it shipped directly to your front door!
