The secret to pulling off the no-drinking thing is to be very low-key. Some people get touchy or feel that they are being judged if others are adamant teetotalers. They may also feel like you are putting yourself above them by not partaking. Do you have a drinking problem or alcoholics in your family? The speculation can be ugly and is not what you want to leave with prospective employers.

Jln418, I like your suggestion about taking the drink and abandoning it later. That doesn't affect anyone else. If everyone is ordering for themselves, get water or a ginger ale and don't tell anyone what it is. I sometimes get cranberry juice with ice when I'm not drinking, and everyone assumes it is a mixed drink. Smile and mingle, and don't call attention to it. I'm not saying a person should hide or lie about not drinking, but it does cause problems if someone "makes a big deal about not drinking" like your co-worker did. People are surprisingly okay with a private decision not to drink, but many will be sensitive or taken aback if you are very obvious about not drinking.