Your guide to avoiding alcohol this holiday season - without missing out on the fun!
We sat down with Maddie Eller, Founder of Mocktails with Maddie, to get the scoop on the latest zero-proof liquors that will make your next party - spirit forward or free - a smash!
With the holiday season comes many joys and stresses. One common stress we’ve heard is what to drink at holiday parties when you don’t drink or are trying to reduce your alcohol consumption. On the flip side, if you’re the one hosting, hosts often wonder what alcohol-free options should they serve to guests, besides tap water, that doesn’t require a ton of legwork.
The good news for non-drinkers: 2023 has been the year of the mocktail! With non-alcoholic liquor brands like SAYSO, Ritual Zero Proof, Seedlip, and Drink Monday emerging, there seems to never have been a better time to say no to liquor, while not missing out on a delicious drink!
To give us a better lay of the land, we sat down with Madeline Connelly, creator of ‘Mocktails with Maddie’ (@mocktailswithmaddie) who shared her favorite alcohol alternatives and mocktail recipes.
HOST: Tell us about the current landscape of non-alcoholic beverages. How has it evolved since you decided to become alcohol-free?
MADDIE: Alcohol alternatives are definitely trending right now, and as someone who doesn’t drink alcohol, I absolutely LOVE that they elevate my mocktails!
Non-alcoholic spirits offer a robust taste of flavor and depth that often gets lost when you eliminate the alcohol. We’ve all been there before - you ask for a drink without alcohol, and you receive a glorified Shirley temple. Don’t get me wrong - I love a Shirley temple. But when everyone around me is indulging in Spicy Margaritas, Gin & Tonics, or the beloved Aperol Spritz, I want a drink in a fun glass that is full of flavor! Zero-proof liquors allow for all the fun, tons of flavor, and no hangover. It’s a Win-Win.
There are a few key alcohol alternatives that are geniuses! Ritual Zero Proof, Lyre’s, and Drink Monday are all fabulous alcohol-free liquor brands. The benefit of keeping your bar car stocked with zero-proof liquors is that you get to participate with the rest of the party!
HOST: What are your favorite non-alcoholic brands? Can you recommend sample mocktail recipes for those who are just getting started?
MADDIE: Listed below are some staple alcohol alternatives or zero-proof liquors that you need for your next gathering! Whether you are focusing on your health, sober-curious, or making a baby, these options are guaranteed to take your mocktails to the next level!
TEQUILA
Recommended Brands: Ritual Zero Proof or Drink Monday
Mocktail to make: Margarita
2 oz. Ritual Tequila Alternative or Drink Monday
1 oz. fresh lime juice
1/2 oz. agave nectar
1 oz club soda
Garnish: salt rim
GIN
Recommended Brands: Ritual Zero Proof or Lyre’s
Mocktail to make: Gin Fizz
2 ounces Ritual Zero Proof or Lyre’s Gin
1 ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed (this makes all the difference)
3/4 ounce simple syrup
1 egg white (about 1/2 ounce)- optional ** vegan option use chickpea water
Club soda, to top (about 1 ounce)
RUM
Recommended Brands: Ritual Zero Proof or ISH
Mocktail to make: EspressNO Martini
1.5 oz Ritual Zero Proof Rum Alternative
2 drops orange bitters (I used All the Bitter)
0.5 oz simple syrup
2 oz espresso
APÉRITIF
Recommended Brands: Ritual Zero Proof or Wilfred’s
Mocktail to make: N’aperol Spritz
2 oz. Non-Alcoholic Champagne or sparkling wine
1.5 fl. oz. alcohol-free Italian spritz (Wilfred’s Lyres’ Ritual Zero Proof)
3/4 oz chilled soda water or lemonade
1 orange, thinly sliced
HOST: What is your go-to mocktail order when dining out? Is there a brand that is usually carried or a drink order that’s always a hit?
MADDIE: My go to bar order is a soda water, lime juice, lime, and a splash of cranberry juice - every single bar has the capability to make this, and it looks and tastes delicious! I also love to order soda water, bitters, and an orange in a wine glass. If you’re looking for more flavor, non-alcoholic Moscow Mules or Margaritas are great - it’s super easy to omit the alcohol in these two drinks, and they still look/taste the part!
I have started to see more non-alcoholic wine options offered at restaurants, and almost every bar or restaurant has at least one non-alcoholic beer! I have seen Ritual Zero Proof, Ghia, Geisen Wine, and Lyre’s in the wild and on menus and it is so exciting :)
HOST: Similar to how there is typically a range of alcoholic options offered to guests at parties (i.e. wine, beer, and cocktails) what kind of non-alcoholic options do you recommend keeping on hand for guests - that don’t require a ton of new ingredients and effort?
MADDIE: Oooh I love this! I’ve been trying every single ready-made option to find the best and most delicious mocktail with the least amount of effort! I am all about simple and easy.
I love having Gruvi Dry Secco and Gruvi Bubbly Rose on hand! They have single serve non-alcoholic wine options, which are great by themselves or to top off with! Ghia is another canned favorite with lots of flavor and appeals to almost everyone! I also like to have non-alcoholic beer on hand. My favorites are Go Brewing, Gruvi, Athletic Brewing, and the classic Heineken 0.0! I think 1-2 alcohol alternatives are nice to have - Ritual Zero Proof Tequila, Ghia, Wilfreds Apéritif, and Drink Monday Gin are some of my go-to’s.
HOST: Since we are all about hosting, we’d love to hear your tips for making crowd pleasing mocktails from the expert! And any other favorite hosting hacks you have.
MADDIE: Fresh fruit!! People love to have something in or on their drink to elevate the look and taste. Garnishes do exactly this and the more options, the more fun! Fruit and herbs are super easy and cheap to have in batched quantities to add elegance to a bar.
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To keep up with the latest mocktail recipes and non-alcoholic alternatives, follow Maddie on Instagram at @mocktailswithmaddie!
Cheers and Happy HOSTing!
