The growing movement of sobriety in both Millennials and Gen-Z raises the question: what do you have to offer to your sober companions this holiday season? Most holiday celebrations center around signature cocktails or wine with soda or juice – often intended for children – as the only alternative. However, if all we offer is drinks intended for children, are we not unintentionally infantilizing our guests? No matter the reason someone has for choosing not to indulge in alcohol, they still deserve a drink with complexity and intention. Crafting mocktails in 2024, consumers have more choices than ever, with many brands now offering nonalcoholic versions of spirits to create near-exact replicas of classic cocktails; think nonalcoholic vodka to craft a boozeless cosmopolitan. The design of some offerings – like Garden from Seedlip, a new industry standard in sober spirits – intend to be an entirely new experience. The design of a good mocktail takes into account the same considerations as a well-balanced cocktail: dominant flavor, sugar content, acidity, and modifiers, which engage traditional taste areas such as umami, bitterness, sour, sweet, and salty. Elements like tonic water and ginger beer are quick ways to elevate more simple juicebased cocktails. With or without alcohol, let your creativity shine and don’t be afraid to take risks and explore. The most important part? Have fun!
CRANBERRY ORANGE MOSCOW FOOL
• 1 Orange slice (fresh)
• 5 Cranberries (previously frozen)
• .5 oz Ginger simple syrup
• .5 oz Cranberry juice (100%)
• Ginger beer
Muddle your fresh fruit with the ginger simple syrup. Add the cranberry juice and shake. Pour into mugs and top with ginger beer. Garnish with cranberries and orange peel. Ginger Simple Syrup Mix equal parts sugar and water. For each cup of sugar, include 4 slices of fresh ginger. Add while the product is still hot, and allow to cool.
APPLE CIDER FO’MOSA
• 2 oz Apple cider
• ½ oz Lemon juice
• ½ oz Black peppercorn simple syrup
• Club soda
• Caramel for garnish
In a shaker, mix apple cider, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake to combine, strain into caramel drizzled champagne flute or large wine glass. Top with club soda. Garnish with peppercorns.
Black Peppercorn Simple Syrup
• 4 tbsp black peppercorns
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups sugar
Add peppercorns to a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and add sugar, take off the heat. Allow to cool and store in the fridge for up to one month. •