Mocktails

I've recently had to stop drinking (sob) and while I don't really miss the alcohol, I miss having something fancier than club soda in my hand when toasting the week w/my better half. It's been about 2 months and I've not seen any mocktails on any cocktail list in town.

In their August issue, Food & Wine actually highlighted a mocktail pairing dinner. So, how do mixologists in town feel about the mocktail? If I order, what do I say "Make me a mocktail"? If so, will I always end up with a sweet, cosmopolitan like beverage?

With the creative cocktails in town, it isn't really feasible to order any drink and have them leave out the alcohol since many drinks now contain more than one spirit.

Help!

I've got your back on this one...

Placing mocktails on a menu becomes a bit cumbersome. We featured daily mocktails at Fusion for lunch and had some great response. It just becomes an issue of 'Yet Another Menu?' Instead, I feel the modern bartender should be able to produce a fine-quality beverage at request.

After all, they are just flavor profiles. Here's three classes of drinks that I fall-back upon:

The Aqua-Fresca: Water based

The Italian Soda: Sodas added to base syrups (not always sweet, as in the cucumber-lime soda)

Juice-Based: Muddling Herbs or Washing with Spices brings a lot to this party...

I'm guessing you are doing this for health reasons, and not religious reasons, so I will add that a few dashes of bitters (of various kinds) can elevate the mocktail to a whole new level.

Then there's the accompaniments that accent these drinks wonderfully. The aforementioned cucumber-lime soda is exquisite with a few cocktail onions or a virgin mary meringue.

Some of the newer restaurants have a NA cocktail list. Decca for sure and I believe Rye. St Charles also does a very good job.
The only problem with bitters is that they are all alcohol based so they are out of the running if alcohol consumption is the problem.
There are also some wonderful sodas being offered that are not sweet at all. I recently had a ginger beer from Sazarac that was off the charts.

Ramsi's actually has a fairly extensive Mocktail menu in with their normal bar menu. (If it isn't in there, just ask your server.) I have tried a few on nights I didn't feel like drinking and enjoyed them.

When my wife was pregnant, she asked for mocktails at all kinds of places in Louisville and elsewhere. Everyone was willing to help, and they often gave them to us for free if I was buying the real stuff. Just ask for a mocktail. Some good ingredients: club soda, fresh ginger, 100% unsweetened cranberry juice, molasses, citrus juices

Thanks all! This sounds great! I'll have to get out and visit St. Charles and Rye. We've been to Decca but at that time I certainly wasn't looking at the mocks.

Stephen - you're the bomb! We'll be in soon for one of your concoctions. Bitters aren't an issue, they contain so little alcohol I doubt it would be a problem. My situation fortunately isn't one of addiction but risk factor for another condition.

I love this topic! I love making awesome fruit drinks without alcohol (I find it more pleasurable tastewise...) and I too have found it hard to get a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage at a local restaurant.

Ramsi's has the best selection from what I have seen and I am always looking. I usually ask for a pineapple juice with a splash of club soda. Pineapple soda is my jam but I have been making stuff at home that has, by total accident, allowed me to pretty much stop drinking. I have lost weight and feel better. I still love beer but my recent surgery required me to take pain meds and I didn't want to drink while taking it so I went the non-alcoholic route and I have reduced my alcohol intake by a ton (I love a cold beer).

My favorites? Watermelon pineapple soda. Half a watermelon, one 46 oz can of pineapple juice (I tossed in some strawberries and blueberries too) immersion blend it in a jug. Pour in a glass 3/4 full over ice, top with club soda.

Peach strawberry. about 10 peaches, a thing of strawberries, add a little water, one spoonful of sugar, immersion blend, pour over ice, top with club soda.

My next venture is honeydew limeade. I love experimenting with this stuff and it is super healthy, easy, and delicious. Cheers!