An increased awareness of health and wellness has consumers drinking 33% fewer alcoholic beverages, according to an October 2021 report from Nielsen IQ. But they still want to socialize at a bar or restaurant with friends.
Today's mocktails are much more than virgin versions of popular cocktails. Ashley Porter, Bar Manager at NOLA’s Creole & Cocktails says the availability of higher quality ingredients such as premium distilled non-alcoholic spirits and fresh house-made juices and syrups creates a luxury experience for their customers.
Haley’s Comet
With a touch of bitterness, this libation is well-balanced and full of flavor. It is topped with a plant-based orange and cardamom terpene tonic to take the edge off a busy workday.
Ingredients
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¾ oz. Abstinence Cape Citrus premium distilled non-alcoholic gin
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¾ oz. Lyre’s Italian Orange non-alcoholic bitter orange liqueur
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½ oz. raspberry syrup
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¼ oz. fresh lime juice
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Bison Social blood orange & cardamom terpene tonic
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Orange peels and lime slices, to garnish
Directions
Lightly shake the abstinence non-alcoholic gin, Italian orange liqueur, raspberry syrup, and lime juice with ice. Pour into a glass and top with Bison Social blood orange & cardamom terpene tonic. Sanpellegrino® Blood Orange sparkling drink is a great alternative to the Bison Social. Garnish with an orange peel. Pro tip: Squeeze the peel over the glass to express the natural oils.
Vera
This refreshing mocktail has an herbal sensibility made with orange flower water, Centr™ sparkling CBD soda or Perrier®, fresh lemon juice, and sprigs of rosemary.
Ingredients
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1 ¼ oz. fresh lemon juice
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1 oz. rosemary syrup
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¼ oz. orange flower water
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Centr™ sparkling CBD soda
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Lemon wheel and rosemary sprigs, to garnish
Directions
Lightly shake lemon juice, rosemary syrup, and orange flower water with ice. Pour into a glass and top with Centr™ sparkling CBD soda. Perrier® is an excellent alternative to the CBD soda. Garnish with a fresh lemon wheel and rosemary sprig for some lovely aromatics.
Cold Brew Old Fashioned
This smoky bespoke drink is made with local Cirque Coffee Roasters’ cold brew, Lyre’s American Malt non-alcoholic whiskey, chicory, Demerara sugar, and spicy chipotle cocoa bitters.
Ingredients
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1 ½ oz. Cirque Coffee Roasters cold brew coffee
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1 oz. Lyre’s American Malt non-alcoholic whiskey
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1 tsp. Demerara sugar
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1 full dropper chicory tincture
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2 drops chipotle cacao bitters
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Amarena cherry and orange peel, to garnish
Directions
Put all ingredients in a rocks glass and stir with ice. One large cube works best to chill without overdiluting. Garnish with an Amarena cherry and orange peel. Squeeze the peel over the glass to express the natural oils.
Juicy Couture
Rehydrate after the gym with this beautiful ombre drink. It is full of antioxidants such as ginger, strawberry, lemon, and cucumber. It’s the most popular mocktail on the menu.
Ingredients
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½ oz. Strawberry syrup
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½ oz. Ginger syrup
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½ oz. fresh lemon juice
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2 dashes cucumber bitters
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Sparkling water
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Cucumber slice and candied ginger, to garnish
Directions
Lightly shake with ice. Pour into a glass and top with sparkling water. Garnish with a cucumber and candied ginger slice.