Booze-Free Cocktails

Raspberry Beret Mocktail

Long-gone are the days when you couldn’t tell the difference between a mocktail and a cloyingly-sweet kiddie cocktail. The latest trend in bars is leaving the booze out of it with the emergence of sober-curious cocktail establishments and craft non-alcoholic spirits aimed towards health and wellness. Whenever I entertain. I’m always mindful to have an array of non-alcoholic options beyond soda and water to create a more inclusive environment for my abstaining guests. Here are two mocktails that are easy to pull together and look and feel like the “real thing”. They are both made using cinnamon syrup which adds some complexity and depth of flavor. Cinnamon syrup sounds way more complicated than it really is: cook equal parts sugar and water with a couple of cinnamon sticks and heat until the sugar is dissolved, cool and then store in a squeeze bottle. I’ve also included a list of non-alcoholic bottled beverages that are good options to have on hand for a midnight toast.

Rasberry Beret Mocktail

• 4 muddled raspberries

• 1.5 oz orange juice

• 1/2 oz lemon juice

• 1 oz cinnamon syrup

• soda water

Directions: Build all ingredients in a shaker and shake well. Strain into a glass and top with soda water.

Cinnamon Syrup

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 1 cup water

• 1 cup white sugar

Directions: Boil all ingredients while whisking periodically until the sugar is dissolved. Simmer and then let cool.

Cinnamon Ginger Mule

• .75 oz cinnamon syrup (see above for recipe)

• .75 oz lime juice

• .5 oz cranberry juice

• Ginger Beer

Directions: Combine the cinnamon syrup, lime juice, and cranberry juice in a cocktail shaker and shake with ice. Pour into a collins glass over ice. Top with ginger beer and garnish with fresh raspberries or fruit of choice.

Martinelli sparkling apple cider, who? There are so many other options for non-alcoholic sparklers. These are just a few. I found them at Binny’s but Cost Plus World Market has a really good selection as well. They are priced $5-$9 a bottle.

Duche de Longueville French Sparkling Cider: This important estate was founded as a distillery in 1925, but switched to cider production in 1950. It is the only commercial operation in France specializing in single-varietal, naturally-fermented ciders. 

St. Julian Sparkling White Grape Juice: This American classic from 100% Niagara grapes is fruity and sweet.

Tost Sparkling White Tea: Its blend of white tea, white cranberry and ginger lets you enjoy the health benefits of sparkling water along with the thrill of sparkling wine. Not overly sweet. Comes in a variety of flavors.

Belvoir Fruit Farms: delicious sparkling juices, the elderflower lemonade is a fan-favorite. They offer an array of flavors including eldeflower rose, cucumber and mint and ginger beer.