There are many great reasons to explore the world of N/A (non-alcoholic) drinks, and whatever yours is, we're glad you're here. This spirit free fad might seem relatively new, but it's actually been around since...well, forever. You can imagine cave men and cave women getting bored and looking for the hint of tree sap to enliven their river water; or the medieval children drinking table beer (think Heineken zero) in place of unsanitary drinking water; or just look in your local grocery store and see the result of mixing water with fruit concentrate.
The point is, you don't need to start exploring N/A drinks, you've been doing it your whole life.
That said, the options are getting a LOT more interesting and fun. So, we thought we would put together just a few cool and easy ways to embark on your spirit free cocktail journey.
The Essentials
Craft Glassware: There's no point in going to the trouble of finding or making a great cocktail if its penultimate destination is a red solo cup!
Sparkling Water: Bubbles always class things up, so whether its La Croix, SodaStream, San Pellegrino, or anything else you fancy, you've got to stock up on the fizz. Pour some into a rocks glass for a simple fix or add it to grapefruit juice to boost your antioxidants.
Juice: Don't underestimate the power of combining one or more juices with a little fizz. Lemonade, carrot juice and a splash of soda will get you seeing more clearly. You don't have to work hard to make a craft cocktail, you just have to have fun.
Spirit Alternatives: As you explore spirit free cocktails, you'll find you can recreate your favorite classic cocktails sans alcohol, or you can find entirely new recipes for cocktails that were never intended to dull your senses. Lyre's Spirit Co. and Ritual Zero Proof are two companies that make great alternatives to your favorite base spirits. We especially like the American Malt from Lyre's and the Tequila Alternative from Ritual.
Ready-to-Pour: Don't have the time or energy to try to make a new drink? You're not alone! Check out the incredible ready-to-pour cocktails from Curious Elixirs. They've come up with several flavors (and more on the way) and provide a really easy subscription box shipped right to your door. Just serve over ice and taste the complex flavors pouring into your life. These drinks are great for parties too.
The New Spirit: We love this category because it's something completely new. Rather than trying to replicate classic spirits like tequila, gin, rum, etc., there are some cool companies out there creating entirely new flavor profiles of spirits without alcohol. One of our favorites is Seedlip Non-Alcoholic Spirits. Withe herbal-based recipes, there are no limits to what you can create with these spirits and some imagination. Plus, their website has an entire section devoted to cocktail recipes made with these incredible spirits.
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