Mocktail
3 Non-Alcoholic Cocktails Inspired by Classics
With all the flavor and oomph of their boozy originals.
We’ve teamed up with Seedlip—makers of top-quality, non-alcoholic spirits—to share non-alcoholic cocktail recipes for the New Year and beyond. Inspired by classics, these satisfying sips all start with one of Seedlip’s unique flavors, from their herbal Garden 108 to the citrus-forward Grove 42. Ready to shake things up? Let’s go…
The last couple months of the year (aka the holidays) can be, well, a lot. But with New Year’s Eve around the corner, we’ll get a chance to take a reprieve from all the stress the season brings and the rich, festive food and drinks that come with it. Enter: Dry January.
As a bartender, Dry January used to mean a serious lull in service and production. However, with the advent and growing popularity of non-alcoholic cocktails, there’s no longer any reason to find yourself stuck in a month of straight cranberry juice and seltzer (but I recommend keeping both on hand for non-alcoholic cocktail mixers).
So whether you’re looking to take a break from alcohol for a bit or mix things up with a few new drink ideas, consider these non-alcoholic riffs on classic sips, like a wintry Hot Toddy and frothy Espresso Martini. Made with Seedlip, a non-alcoholic spirit available in a range of unique flavors, each of these drinks have all the complexity of a traditional cocktail.
1. Seedlip Clover Club
The Clover Club cocktail has been around in some form or fashion for over 100 years. In our non-alcoholic version, Seedlip's fresh, herbal Garden 108 takes the place of the traditional gin base. While either grenadine (made with pomegranate) or raspberry syrup are considered traditional, I prefer the tartness of raspberry to complement the notes of sweet pea and spearmint in the Garden 108. The lemon, along with the Garden 108's rosemary and thyme notes, make a foolproof combination, while the egg white rounds everything out, providing a velvety body throughout the whole drink.
2. Non-Alcoholic Espresso Martini
The Espresso Martini is one of the most requested drink orders I receive as a bartender—and everybody and their mother seems to have their own preferred build. While I've made them with just about every base spirit and coffee liqueur, Seedlip's aromatic Spice 94 is a welcome addition. Distilled with allspice, green cardamom, and oak, the Spice 94 pairs beautifully with coffee.
I enjoy using a light brown sugar rich syrup (a “rich” syrup is made with two parts sugar and one part water) in this recipe over cane sugar as the light molasses notes work to accentuate the spices. Hints of grapefruit and lemon keep the espresso bright and upfront; a quick, light-on-ice shake produces a fabulous foam atop the drink. A dusting of espresso powder provides the coffee aroma as a tantalizing lead into a dessert-ready or after-work sip.
3. Booze-Free Toddy With Apple Shrub
The Hot Toddy is an endlessly fluid cocktail—it can take the shape of whatever you're in the mood for, usually something comforting and warming. As winter drags on post-holiday, this toddy will be all you need. Made with three different types of orange along with ginger and lemongrass, the Seedlip Grove 42 provides a strong citrus backbone for the apple and black pepper shrub. The heat from the toddy lets those orange notes waft above the glass while the pepper and candied ginger provide a bit of bite, amplifying the ginger and pink peppercorn distilled in the Grove 42—a new-classic pairing.
Round out your bar cart set-up with Seedlip’s non-alcoholic spirits—like their herbal Garden 108, aromatic and pleasantly bitter Spice 94, and citrus-forward Grove 42. Keep them handy for mixing up impressive-looking non-alcoholic cocktails (for even more recipe ideas, head here) or simply pair with ginger ale for a laid-back and refreshing sip.
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