Many participate in “Sober October” for the slew of health benefits, but spirit-free sipping has also become a much more prominent lifestyle choice. Take it from Liz Paquette, the head of consumer insights at Drizly, an online delivery retailer for alcohol, who told BizBash that the nonalcohol categories on Drizly have seen significant growth over the past few years.
“There are 75% more nonalcoholic brands available on Drizly in 2023 to date compared to the same time period in 2022,” she said. When you break it down by category, zero-proof spirits have grown the most year over year and are enjoying a 200% increase on Drizly.
Paquette also noted that the share of alcohol-free beers on the platform has seen a 36% spike year over year, while alcohol-free wine has enjoyed a 42% increase from 2022.
No matter your reason for turning down the hard stuff, check out these 10 tasty mocktail recipes sure to generate a different kind of buzz…
Apple Pie a la Mode
Play into one of autumn’s favorite flavors with this Apple Pie a la Mode mocktail from Marcia Selden Catering, which is made even more cozy with a bruleed sugar topping over whipped aquafaba (liquid from canned chickpeas). Here’s what you’ll need:
1 cup apple cider or apple juice ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg 2 Tbsp. aquafaba 1-2 tsp. granulated sugar Simply combine the apple juice and spices in a mixer with ice and mix until well combined. In a separate bowl, whip the aquafaba with an electric mixer until a “meringue” forms. Then pour your drink into a martini glass, top with the meringue, and sprinkle with sugar. Using a kitchen torch, carefully brulee the sugar until it caramelizes and forms a golden crust on top. Garnish your glass with a slice of apple to make this mocktail even more photo-worthy for your guests.
1 cup apple cider or apple juice ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg 2 Tbsp. aquafaba 1-2 tsp. granulated sugar Simply combine the apple juice and spices in a mixer with ice and mix until well combined. In a separate bowl, whip the aquafaba with an electric mixer until a “meringue” forms. Then pour your drink into a martini glass, top with the meringue, and sprinkle with sugar. Using a kitchen torch, carefully brulee the sugar until it caramelizes and forms a golden crust on top. Garnish your glass with a slice of apple to make this mocktail even more photo-worthy for your guests.
Photo: Courtesy of Marcia Selden Catering
Blackberry Smash
During fall, blackberries are ripe for the picking! Cue Marcia Selden’s Blackberry Smash, a beautifully colored blend of blackberries, lemon, and mint that makes for the perfect transition away from summer and into the cooler months—not to mention it’s also “Sober October” friendly! Here’s what you’ll need:
1 cup fresh blackberries 2 Tbsp. honey ½ cup fresh lemon juice ¼ cup fresh mint leaves 1 cup sparkling water In a cocktail jar, muddle your blackberries in with the honey. Then, add lemon juice and the fresh mint leaves (but don’t forget to gently smack them between your hands first to release their flavor). Shake up your berry-lemon mixture before pouring over ice and topping off with sparkling water.
1 cup fresh blackberries 2 Tbsp. honey ½ cup fresh lemon juice ¼ cup fresh mint leaves 1 cup sparkling water In a cocktail jar, muddle your blackberries in with the honey. Then, add lemon juice and the fresh mint leaves (but don’t forget to gently smack them between your hands first to release their flavor). Shake up your berry-lemon mixture before pouring over ice and topping off with sparkling water.
Photo: Courtesy of Marcia Selden Catering
Cinnamon Apple Mocktail
For a spirit-free sip that’s the perfect take on a Moscow mule that ditches the vodka in favor of cozy fall flavors, look no further than Ridgewells Catering’s Cinnamon Apple Mocktail. Simply combine 12 ounces each of apple cider and ginger beer in a large pitcher. Then add 2 ounces of lime juice, 2 teaspoons of maple syrup, two chopped Honeycrisp apples, and cinnamon sticks to taste. Ridgewells recommends serving this drink cold in lowball glasses garnished with a fresh apple slice and a cinnamon stick. Cheers!
Photo: Courtesy of Ridgewells Catering
Matcharita
Cocktail Academy teamed up with MyWellCo—an experiential company that connects consumers with wellness brands—to launch WellSpirited, a forthcoming self-proclaimed “better for you” bar experience. Among the partnership’s first products: mocktails, of course. Living up to WellSpirited’s mission of using superfoods in its recipes, Cocktail Academy founder and creative director Matt Landes incorporated matcha into this seasonal, spirit-free sip. Here’s what you’ll need to recreate it:
1 ½ oz. Little Saints St. Ember, a spirit-free mixer that works similarly to how tequila would in a cocktail Swoon brand simple syrup infused with orange peel 2 scoops matcha powder 2 dashes fee foamer Garnish with two fresh chamomile flowers for an added wow factor.
1 ½ oz. Little Saints St. Ember, a spirit-free mixer that works similarly to how tequila would in a cocktail Swoon brand simple syrup infused with orange peel 2 scoops matcha powder 2 dashes fee foamer Garnish with two fresh chamomile flowers for an added wow factor.
Photo: Courtesy of Cocktail Academy
Cafe Con Amore
Nothing ushers in fall like a tasty blend of coffee and fall fruits, like blood orange and ginger—which are just the flavors in Seedlip’s Grove 42 mixer, the star of this Cafe Con Amor recipe courtesy of Landes. Simply combine 1 ½ ounces of Grove 42 with 3 ounces of Good Pharma-branded coffee, plus five drops of olive oil. And to make it even more inviting, top it off with a cacao powder garnish.
Photo: Courtesy of Cocktail Academy
Slow Glow
Do-it-yourself event planning platform Partytrick is all about preparing anyone to move and groove like an event host, with recipes using seasonal veggies, tips for making a tablescape guests will fall for and, of course, mocktails. What better time to put Partytrick’s tips to the test than Halloween? Partytrick founder Virginia Frischkorn’s favorite Sober October sip is the Slow Glow, she told BizBash, which is all the more on theme for spooky season thanks to its orange hue. Here’s how to make it:
2 oz. Aplós Calme, a hemp-infused nonalcoholic spirit ½ cup sparkling apple cider ½ cup pomegranate juice ¼ cup blood orange or plain ol' orange juice ¼ cup sparkling water Combine all the ingredients in a punch bowl and stir, but don’t forget to garnish with cinnamon sticks and apple slices, Frischkorn said.
2 oz. Aplós Calme, a hemp-infused nonalcoholic spirit ½ cup sparkling apple cider ½ cup pomegranate juice ¼ cup blood orange or plain ol' orange juice ¼ cup sparkling water Combine all the ingredients in a punch bowl and stir, but don’t forget to garnish with cinnamon sticks and apple slices, Frischkorn said.
Photo: Courtesy of Partytrick
Pomm Fizz Mocktail
Pomegranate season is upon us, which Abigail Kirsch is celebrating with this Pomm Fizz Mocktail. Try it for yourself:
2 oz. pomegranate juice 1 oz. fresh lemon juice ½ oz. orange juice 1 oz. sparkling cider Mix all three juices together before pouring over ice and topping off with sparkling water.
2 oz. pomegranate juice 1 oz. fresh lemon juice ½ oz. orange juice 1 oz. sparkling cider Mix all three juices together before pouring over ice and topping off with sparkling water.
Photo: Courtesy of Abigail Kirsch
Vibrante & Tonic
Zero-proof aperitivo-maker Martini & Rossi curated seasonal sips that riff on classic cocktails. Take this Vibrante & Tonic, for example, where Martini & Rossi’s nonalcoholic Vibrante aperitivo takes the place of gin. Simply combine equal parts of the Vibrante and tonic water, stir, and enjoy.
Photo: Courtesy of Martini & Rossi
Mango Bliss Mockarita
For spirit-free sipping year-round, try Marcia Selden Catering’s nonalcoholic take on a margarita, which incorporates mango with lime for a fruity drink that won’t have you missing the tequila. Here’s how to make it:
2 cups fresh mango juice ½ cup fresh lime juice 2 Tbsp. agave syrup (make it a “skinny” mockarita with less agave) ½ cup orange juice Mix everything together and serve in a glass with a salt rim to really get in the margarita mood.
2 cups fresh mango juice ½ cup fresh lime juice 2 Tbsp. agave syrup (make it a “skinny” mockarita with less agave) ½ cup orange juice Mix everything together and serve in a glass with a salt rim to really get in the margarita mood.
Photo: Courtesy of Marcia Selden Catering
Cucumber Chiller
Another timeless mocktail from Marcia Selden Catering, the Cucumber Chiller is refreshing no matter when you’re choosing to lay off the booze. You’ll want to try this one for yourself; here’s how:
½ lime, juiced 8 cucumber slices, sliced thinly on a mandolin 1 tsp. superfine sugar 6 mint leaves, plus additional for garnish 4 oz. tonic water 2 oz. Sprite In a shaker, muddle lime juice, cucumber, and mint. Then, add sugar and ice, and shake before pouring into a glass lined with fresh cucumber slices. Top off your mocktail with tonic water and sprite before garnishing with mint sprigs and a fun straw.
½ lime, juiced 8 cucumber slices, sliced thinly on a mandolin 1 tsp. superfine sugar 6 mint leaves, plus additional for garnish 4 oz. tonic water 2 oz. Sprite In a shaker, muddle lime juice, cucumber, and mint. Then, add sugar and ice, and shake before pouring into a glass lined with fresh cucumber slices. Top off your mocktail with tonic water and sprite before garnishing with mint sprigs and a fun straw.
Photo: Courtesy of Marcia Selden Catering
