What do you get when you mix the quest for a healthier lifestyle, less disposable income, caution about drinking and driving and a desire to socialize? The answer is mocktails, of course!
A recent survey of London bartenders found that 61% of consumers want more non-alcoholic drink choices and in Los Angeles, 83% of bar managers say so-called no-proof drinking is a growing trend.
And it’s a trend that seems driven by, you guessed it, Millennials – 45% of whom say they’re open to quitting drinking to improve their health – and by women who are the biggest consumers of mocktails.
The good news is, where once non-alcohol drinkers had to resort to a hum-drum Arnold Palmer, the options for today’s teetotalers are exploding. Today’s mocktail bartenders are experimenting with berries, vegetable purees, herbs, spices, syrups and flavored waters to create beverages that, while they may not make you tipsy, will certainly make you blissful.
Here are just a few of the booze-free delights making the rounds at your friendly neighborhood bar or lounge:
· Scorpio Sisters: A mouthwatering concoction of kiwi, ginger, coconut cream, pineapple and lime juices and rose flower water – from Nitecap in New York
· Liebling: Apricot, Chinese almond milk, grapefruit, lemon and Osmanthus (a fragrant Asian flowering plant), served on the rocks – from Trick Dog in San Francisco
· Designated Driver: A delicious blend of lime, cinnamon, orange, pineapple, bitters and soda – from Shameful Tiki in Toronto
· Nearly Negroni: A reimagined classic that uses Seedlip 94, non-alcoholic aromatized wine and bitter sweet cordial instead of gin, Campari or vermouth – from The Savoy’s American Bar in London
What your favorite festive mocktails? Please share your mixes with the Shop Talk blog community forum.
Did you know: Who coined the term?
Mocktail, aka a mock cocktail, first appeared in an ad in 1979. As for the term “cocktail”, it first appeared in 1806. (Source)
id like to take your survey for a monthly prize i could certainly use the check
I just cannot see myself going to an establishment to socialize and not have alcohol. It happened to me once at a gentlemen’s club, and I never went back. Oh well to each his own.
I love Mocktails for many reasons. 1. A designated driver can have a fun drink with friends. 2. People who do not drink alcohol like them. 3. Less calories.
So many fun “Mocktails” out there. I enjoy fresh fruit juices with a twist and a splash of sparkling water. Also a club soda with cubed watermelon is so refreshing.
I like the option of having a “mocktail” over the real thing. I am finding that alcohol can disrupt my sleep patterns. And with a “mocktail” you can still have fun in a festive way with out the “yucks’ that often come with alcohol.
I also don’t drink. I haven’t for almost 30 years.
I have always like the good old standby: Shirley Temple.
My personal favorite mixed drink, with no official name has: equal amounts of Cranberry Juice and Pineapple Juice with just a dash of Sprite.
I like the idea to rename the cocktail.
It’s funny to hear mentioned, Arnold Palmer because I just recently got into these and I leave a good tip to those who can make me good ones when I go out. Big difference. You can a nice slightly sweetened lemon flavor with your tea.. It’s got to be just perfect. Some will either make it TOO lemony sweet, while others will water it down with plain unsweetened tea so much, you can barely taste the lemon add at all and I am always happy when someone will make me one even if I don’t ask them to when it’s not on the menu. ☺️
Yea, way to go. Hope this catch on everywhere.
My favorite mock tails are pina colada and strawberry daiquiri.
I don’t feel the need for a mocktail. If I did I guess one that had pineapple juice as a base would be one for me.
IMO you might be saving some heath issues by not using alcohol but there is another issue of sugar. There are a lot of sugars in fruit and calories so ??? But on the other hand if you are not intoxicated you might be saving yourself from being taken advantage of bad people so that might be worth a few calories.
How about something with the Bloody Mary mix and a slice of bacon ??
I love a virgin pina colada
I would love to try mockrail. Sound good.
I believe Walmart should promote them at a guest food stand where samples can be
Made. Might give the push to avoid serving drinks with booze added.
Promoting this idea may help start a trend. I know the people at these stands within the store can grab the customers attention by smiling and be excited in advertising this new trend.
This site is awesome
Keep drinking
Mocktails are fun.
Mocktail, aka a mock cocktail, sounds like a very good drink It has all these different fruit and spices to incorporate it. I would like to try some of these. To me, I don’t really care who coined them only that I can have them.