Happy hour has never been more interesting.
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Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph
Lots of things in my life got awesome after I quit drinking, but the selection of interesting beverages at restaurants and social events wasn't one of them. There are only so many ways you can add a twist of lime to Diet Coke.
Whether you're sober for life or only for the day, you are too special a person to have to settle for boring drinks. Nowadays I just mix up my own NA drinks to bring to gatherings, always with enough to share. I've also gotten pretty good at shrubs and syrup-spiked fizzy drinks. Here are plenty of creative and sophisticated mocktails you can make anytime, for any reason at all. Plenty of them have components that keep in the fridge, so your aperitif can be ready for you in moments. And if you're wanting something with more of a base, slip in some NA spirits to add that certain something. Finally, you'll be able to save those Diet Cokes for your next movie night.
Pear-Ginger Shrub
Get Recipe: Pear-Ginger Shrub
Make a gingery pear syrup cut with apple cider vinegar and serve it over club soda. This enlivening sipper is just right for early fall vibes.
NA Negroni
Get Recipe: Non-Alcoholic Negroni (NAgroni)
If you're wanting to build a library of NA mixers and spirits, here's the drink to get you started. It's got Monday Zero Alcohol Gin (fun), Blutul Rosso Non Alcoholic Vermouth (useful), Stirrings Blood Orange Bitters (intriguing), and Ghia (LOVE!). It's a year-round drink you'll find yourself craving when it's time to wind down.
Raspberry Lime Rickey
Get Recipe: Raspberry Lime Rickey
This is for sure the only drink on this list that was once a staple of New England soda fountains. It ascended during Prohibition, and it deserves a spot in any contemporary NA drink list.
Spicy Margarita Mocktail
Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph
Get Recipe: Spicy Margarita Mocktail
Associate Editorial Director Laurel Randolph says, "I like using club soda in a non-alcoholic cocktail since it adds a bit of interest. That being said, you can just go with flat water instead. If you’re lucky enough to have some zero proof tequila, you can reduce the club soda by half and add one to two ounces of NA tequila (or to taste)."
Ginger Switchel
Get Recipe: How to Make Ginger Switchel
Who'd have thought vinegar, lemon, honey, and ginger could be so satisfying? This is an old-timey drink of summer that's very much worth enjoying today.
3-Ingredient Cucumber and Ginger Beer Mocktail
Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss
Get Recipe: The 3-Ingredient Mocktail I’m Drinking All January Long
Recipe developer Jessica Furniss says, "I love to change up the herbs based on seasonal availability. I use mint in the spring, but in the summer I might go for basil. Sage is amazing in the fall, and rosemary is lovely in winter."
Rosemary Rhubarb Spritzer
Get Recipe: Rosemary Lemon Rhubarb Spritzer
There's something cheerfully subversive about mocktails, and this one especially. The rosemary element is just enough to pique your attention, but not so much you'll scrunch up your face. All that, plus rhubarb! If every bar has this as their default mocktail, I'd be a very happy lady.
Jamu
Get Recipe: Jamu (Indonesian Turmeric Ginger Drink)
Turmeric, lime, ginger, and honey make this Indonesian drink colorful and vibrant-tasting. It's packed with body-boosting compounds, to boot. You'll need fresh turmeric root to make this.
Trader Joe’s Cranberry Ginger Sparkler
Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph
Get Recipe: The 3-Ingredient Trader Joe’s Mocktail I’m Drinking All January Long
Associate Editorial Director Laurel Randolph says, "For a drier and less sweet non-alcoholic drink, swap up to half of the ginger beer for plain sparkling water."
Tepache
Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski
Get Recipe: Tepache
Trendy tepache can dent your wallet. Luckily, tepache is a good starter ferment. It's just pineapple, water, and sugar, fermented together until a wee bit sprightly.
Spiced Apple Core Simple Syrup
Lori Rice / Simply Recipes
Get Recipe: Spiced Apple Core Simple Syrup
Eat the apples and save the cores to make this lightly spiced syrup to serve with fizzy water. Or step it up and mix it with iced chamomile tea.
Homemade Ginger Ale
Get Recipe: Homemade Ginger Ale
Before you scroll on past, take pause. This is not just any ginger ale. You decide how sweet it is when you mix the simple syrup, spicy ginger root infusion, and club soda. This customization makes it just right for your own palate.
Earl Grey Tea and Tonic
Get Recipe: Earl Grey Tea and Tonic
Recipe developer Elana Lepkowski says, "If Earl Grey is not a flavor you enjoy, many other floral or herbal teas could work. Hibiscus, lemon verbena, or a rooibos tea would bring a complementary flavor and work with the tonic. You could also switch out the lemon here for lime or grapefruit."
Agua de Jamaica
Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker
Get Recipe: Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Iced Tea)
This Mexican agua fresca gets its tartness and hue from dried hibiscus blossoms (know as sorrel in Jamaica). It's got just a hint of tannic grip, especially when you cut down the sugar. I modify this recipe by doing an overnight cold infusion in the fridge, straining out the solids, and then adding just a few squirts of agave nectar.
Lavender Lemonade
Get Recipe: Lavender Lemonade
Don't open up your underwear drawer sachet for this one; you'll need special culinary lavender for just the right balance. You can find it in a well-stocked spice section, or order it online.
How to Make Kombucha at home
Get Recipe: How To Make Kombucha at Home
If you're tired of spending a small fortune to satisfy your booch habit, take the leap and make your own. You can flavor it all kinds of ways and ferment it to just the fizz level you like. For extra credit, spike it with the NA spirits of your choice (Seedlip Grove comes to mind).
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