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Sometimes, you want to enjoy a cocktail or two without the buzz that follows it. Or, maybe you had a few drinks and now you want a refreshing way to get hydrated to avoid that painful, day-ruining hangover.
You might be wondering why anyone would want a non-alcoholic cocktail when they could just get one with booze. “To break it up a little; have something that’s very fresh, refreshing and a palate cleanser,” says Ross Wheatley, Director of Food and Beverage at Lucy Restaurant & Bar at Bardessono in Yountville, California.
Also: Cocktails for Men – Bar Drinks Guys Shouldn’t Be Ashamed to Order
A “mocktail” has all the taste and freshness of a light cocktail without all the alcohol. But, how can non-alcoholic drinks possibly be as good as regular cocktails? “By using fresh and unusual ingredients and making the drink unique, rather than trying to make it like an alcoholic version,” says Wheatley.
Many ingredients work so well that you might not even notice that the drink lacks the kick of booze. “Fresh fruit juices, syrups and great mixers,” says Wheatley. As well as high quality tonics and sodas such as Fever Tree or Cock n Bull ginger beer.
Mocktails: Non-Alcoholic Cocktails
Gary’s Gator Aid
From Four Seasons Resort Orlando
Ingredients:
- 6 Muddled Raspberries
- 2oz Fresh OJ
- 1oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 1/2oz Simple Syrup
- 1/2oz Agave Nectar
Preparation: shake and loose strain. Top with blood orange and blueberry soda
Glass: Collin’s w/ ice
Garnish: Orange Slice
Berry Caliente
From Lucy Restaurant and Bar in Yountville, California
Ingredients:
- .75 oz lime juice
- .5 oz agave syrup
- 4-5 raspberries
- 1 slice Serrano pepper
- Soda to top
Preparation:
Muddle 4-5 raspberries and 1 slice of Serrano pepper gently. Shake once with lime and agave. Strain, top with soda and garnish with sliced Serrano pepper.
Cucumber Jade
From Hinoki & the Bird in Los Angeles
Ingredients:
- 1 serving
- ¾ oz cucumber juice
- ½ oz lime juice
- 1 oz grapefruit juice
- ½ oz honey
- 5 mint leaves
Preparation:
Shake and strain over fresh ice. Top with club soda.
Fresh Vanilla Soda
From Center Bar in NYC – By Beverage Director Brad Nugent
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz. Chamomile syrup
- ½ bar spoon Vanilla extract
- Top with soda
Preparation:
Combine the chamomile syrup and the vanilla extract in a highball. Stir and then fill up the glass with ice, and top with club soda.
Orange Spritz
From Center Bar in NYC
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. Orange Syrup
- ½ oz. Fresh Orange Juice
- Dash of Lactard
- Top with Club Soda
Preparation:
Build in highball glass, stir. Garnish with a large orange twist
Blackberry Mocktail
From Pinewood Social in Nashville
Ingredients:
- 2 muddled blackberries
- 1 ½ oz. orange juice
- 1 oz. lemon juice
- 1 oz. Saigon cinnamon syrup**
Preparation:
Build all ingredients in a shaker and shake well. Strain into a Collins glass and top with soda water.
**Saigon Cinnamon Syrup:
Ingredients:
- 2 T. Saigon cinnamon
- 1 quart water
- 1 quart white sugar
Directions:
Boil all ingredients while whisking periodically. Let simmer then strain through a chinois (or a fine strainer). Let cool.
