My favorite booze-free beverages
Where I like to shop, what I like to buy, and all the mocktail recipes in between!
So I have to admit to all of you that last week I was incredibly nervous to publish my essay. I’ve been researching alcohol for a while and I’ve been wanting to write something on it, but I was honestly afraid readers would get mad. Alcohol is such a normalized part of our culture; even in my personal life, I’m finding I have to constantly explain myself when I’m not drinking.
“No, I’m not pregnant.”
“I just don’t like what it’s doing to my health.”
“I’m having the best sleep of my life.”
Or my personal favorite: “I can’t stop thinking of gasoline when I see it.”
After publishing this essay, I wondered if I would be getting a lot of the same—yet your response was overwhelmingly positive. It seems I’m not the only one really thinking through their alcohol habits lately, and the role alcohol plays in our lives. There’s a sober curiosity for a lot of you, and it’s nice to know that I’m in good company here.
And we’re not the only ones. Despite the alcohol-obsessed culture we live in, there is a small revolution of non-alcoholic drinkers on the rise. Drizly’s recent Consumer Trend Report said 38% of their Gen Z respondents, and 25% of their Millennial respondents, are looking to replace their normal go-to drinks with non-alcoholic (NA) options. The Innova Market Insights reports 4% of beers and spirits launched in 2021 did not contain alcohol. Brands saw a 315% increase in sales for low- and NA drinks dollar sales between 2020 and 2021—NA beer and cider grew 31.7%, NA wine grew by 39.4%, and NA spirits saw a 113.4% increase. Nearly one in five adults said they participated this year in Dry January in 2022, a challenge where you give up alcohol for the first month of the year.
In the past few months as I’ve talked to friends about this, I’ve found that while there is a growing interest in ditching alcohol (or just trying to limit consumption in some capacity), I come across the same kind of response each time:
“It’s just nice to have something fancy to drink when I’m hanging with friends and family.”
I mean, same! Sipping on a glass of wine while we all cook in the kitchen? Enjoying a glass of bourbon by the bonfire? Cracking open a beer at a show? Clinking champagne flutes with bubbly mimosas at brunch? There’s something so overtly adult and sophisticated about having a drink in these moments.
But I’ve come to learn that you can still enjoy these moments, but don’t have to consume ethanol (the substance that makes alcohol) to do it. There are so many other options out there that still give me that experience I desire, without the hangover in the morning. And that feels like a true blessing.
Let’s start with my new favorite dry drink & mixology shop.
I can’t deny that alcohol gives us a sense of community with one another. So when I decided to give it up, I just felt alone. I desired to find some like-minded people who also want to get nerdy about NA options, and I finally felt that when I was asked to visit Boisson NYC.
First, the shop feels like a classic liquor store—but a bit brighter. The bottles are all uniquely beautiful, with options ranging from wine to different kinds of spirits, canned cocktails, and mixology items like mixers and bitters. A few of the brands I have already heard of, like Lyre and Ritual. But the rest was a complete mystery to me, and I was thankful for the salesperson who gave me free tastings and walked me through all of her recommendations.
Boisson currently has locations in New York and Los Angeles, which I know is pretty limiting for a lot of you. But, the shop does shipments, and I have a few recommendations here if you’re looking to dive in and try some NA beverages yourself.
Non-alcoholic drink products I recommend
Now not everything has to be a 1:1 swap—like I’m not one to find an alternative for every kind of liquor out there. But sometimes it’s easier to explain things in that context (i.e. here’s a great whiskey alternative, etc.) so that’s how I’ll be approaching some of these recommendations.
I’m still curating my list, so there are some holes, like a NA whiskey or red wine. If you have any you love and want to recommend, share them in the comments below!
Spirits / Canned
Caleño Light & Zesty: You can call this your gin alternative, but this is just really nice to sip on ice. It’s bright and juniper-y.
CleanCo Clean G: This is also another bright drink, with a nice hint of lime. It’s another great sipper but is also great when mixed up in a mocktail.
Sobrii - Non-Alcoholic Tequila: It’s got a spicier kick yet definitely the kind of thing you want to mix up in your margaritas or Palomas. The workers at Boisson highly recommend this one.
Lyre’s Classico Premix: Think of this as your sparkling wine aperitif, a refreshing drink to get you started. It’s a really nice one for travel and outdoor hangs.
As I said, I’m still on the hunt for a go-to whiskey alternative.
Wine
Giesen - Non-Alcoholic Sauvignon Blanc: I am such a big Sauv Blanc girl in the summertime so it’s been my mission to find an NA version I love, and this one is pretty high up there for me. It definitely is tangier compared to a crispy Sauv Blanc, but it still hits the spot.
Surely - Non-Alcoholic Sparkling White: So I’ve had the canned version of this wine and really loved it, it’s a good one to bring to the park or the beach. But they also have the bottle version (linked) which is nice when you’re sharing with friends.
Thomson & Scott - Noughty Alcohol-Free Sparkling Chardonnay: I admit, I haven’t actually tried this one yet. Ha! But I bought it and I’m excited to pop the cork. Thought I would link it out if I have any chardonnay fans here.
Again, on the hunt for a red and a rosé I like! I’ll keep you updated.
Beer
Honestly, I have an obsession with only one—it’s Athletic Brewing Company.
It still shocks me how good this beer is. The run Run Wild IPA is my favorite, and I also really like the Free Wave, which is a hazy IPA. I’m a big IPA fan, as you can see. The Rainbow Wall is also a recent favorite, but I’m pretty sure that one is a limited edition.
I also love that they have a big reach right now—I was even able to buy a can at a recent concert I went to, and it made my night.
They also have a line of sparkling waters that I’m excited to try, and I’m hoping to make a trip to their taproom in Stratford, Connecticut.
Mocktail recipes
I’m still really new to the mocktail game, but I figured I would list a few of the recipes I’ve been wanting to try if you want to test them out with me.
Cucumber Agua Fresca (Pinch of Yum)
Bubbly Rosé Kombucha Float (Eat This!)
Grapefruit Thyme Mocktail (Flowers In The Salad)
Honey Roasted Pear Sparkling Mocktails (Cotter Crunch)
Watermelon Cooler (Better Homes & Gardens)
Rosemary Pear Cocktail (Mash & Spread)
Follow for more!
So if you’ve made it this far, I’ll let you know that I’m going to launch an Instagram account soon where I’ll share all of my mocktail adventures. I’m hoping to check out some of these booze-free bars in the city, and I’ll also share some of my favorite recipes.
Cheers, friends!
Because of the nature of this newsletter, I did not record a podcast episode. Next week will be another full essay and a fresh new episode. You can listen to previous episodes here.
Also, I’ll be sending out the September meal plan tomorrow! Subscribe now so you don’t miss out.