Have you ever wanted the taste of a finely crafted cocktail, but not the alcohol? There’s a big difference between ordering a virgin margarita or Shirley Temple at a bar and ordering a high-quality non-alcoholic cocktail. An alcohol-free cocktail can often taste as good as one loaded with booze. And it’s usually better for you.
“It’s healthier and refreshing,” says Jeff Mahin, Chef and Co-owner of Stella Barra in Chicago. “If you want the flavors of a cocktail but you either can’t or don’t want to have the effects of alcohol, then this is a great way to go.”
“The basic idea is that you want it to taste good,” says Mahin, who also owns restaurants in Bethesda, Santa Monica and Hollywood. “A cocktail can taste great but sometimes the alcohol can take away from enjoying the flavors.” Without the alcohol, the flavors from the fresh ingredients stand out more. “Also, you can do a tasting menu with a non-alcoholic beverage pairing that can really enhance the meal and not make you felt as weighed down afterwards.”
Ingredients that work well include fresh citrus, kale and other greens (used sparingly), and any seasonal, local fruit.
Here are a few outstanding alcohol-free cocktails that are worth a try:
Second Wind
From Lucy Restaurant & Bar in Yountville, California
Ingredients
- .5 oz pineapple juice
- 1.5 oz orange juice
- .5 oz lemon juice
- .5 oz simple syrup
- 2 oz coconut water
- 2 drops of vitamin b12
Directions: Shake the juices, simple syrup and vitamin b12. Strain into a Collins glass and top with coconut water.
Malibu Cooler
From M Street Kitchen in Santa Monica, California
Ingredients
- 2.5 oz. exotic fruit juice consommé (recipe below)
- Ice
- Club soda
- Sprite
Directions: Put fruit consommé (see below) in Collins glass, add ice and top with equal parts of club soda and Sprite.
Recipe for Exotic Fruit Juice Consommé
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup agave light syrup
- 2 tsp vanilla bean (split)
- ¼ cup lemongrass
- 1 tsp white cardamom
- 1 Tbs lemon zest
- 2 Tbs orange zest
- T Tbs whole black peppercorn
- 1 2/3 cups orange juice
- 2/3 cup lemon juice
- ½ cup fresh passion fruit
- ¼ cup fresh mint
Directions: Peel orange and lemon. Blanch skin and rinse under cold water. Juice orange and lemon. Combine all ingredients, excluding juices and mint, in a pot and bring to a simmer over low-medium heat. Add mint and steep for one hour. Chill overnight. Strain and add fruit juices.
Rehydrator
Recipe courtesy of Beverage Director/Co-Owner Bryan Dayton OAK at fourteenth (Boulder) & Acorn (Denver)
Ingredients
- 2 oz aloe vera water
- 1 ¼ oz fresh cranberry juice (no sugar)
- ½ oz lime juice
- ¾ oz honey syrup
- ¼ oz cherry syrup or grenadine
Directions: Combine all ingredients and shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Acai Basil Smash
Jeff Mahin Chef/Partner of Summer House Santa Monica
Ingredients
- 1 oz. acai puree
- 1 oz. agave nectar
- 1 oz. lime juice
- 2 basil leaves
Directions: Build in mixing glass. Add ice and quick shake. Pour into Collins glass, top with soda and garnish with Basil.
Strawberry Fizz
From Four Season Orlando
Ingredients
- 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 1 oz Simple Syrup
- 2 Fresh Strawberries
- Handful of Fresh Mint
Directions: Shake and loose strain into a Collins glass over ice. Top with ginger beer and garnish with a mint sprig.