them feel like they’re part of the party. “One of my biggest fears with stopping drinking was that I would be disconnected from everyone and everything, and I actually found connection through my sobriety,” she explains.
Cocktails, Sans Alcohol
BEYOND THE BOTTLE
KANSAS CITY BARTENDERS’ ALCOHOL-FREE DRINKS MAKE A NIGHT OUT MORE ACCESSIBLE
words by
Kelsey Cipolla
After
Melissa Saubers stopped drinking three-and-a-half years ago, she had a realization: Social events are not designed for the sober.
“Part of the thing that kept me drinking, probably longer than I wanted to, was that I’m a very social person—I’m out and about a lot,” she explains. “I would go to events and parties and there were no alcohol-free options.” The founder of Cowork Waldo, Saubers and her entrepreneurial spirit set out to change that with Sans Bar KC, a company focused on handcrafted alcohol-free drinks. The Sans Bar concept originated in Austin, but when Saubers came across it on Instagram and reached out to founder Chris Marshall, he was all for bringing the idea to a new market. Saubers hosted her first booze-free bash New Year’s Eve 2018. Since then, Sans Bar popped up at spaces around Kansas City for events that show forgoing alcohol doesn’t mean saying farewell to fun. In fact, it allows more people to comfortably join in. Saubers notes that people opt for alcohol-free beverages for a variety of reasons, from their health to religious beliefs to wanting to get an early start the next day. Her goal is “to create a social situation for people who don’t want to drink for a night or for life.” In addition to her own pop-up events, Saubers helps facilitate alcohol-free spaces at events like the Plaza Art Fair where people can enjoy a refreshing sans alcohol cocktail in a space that also includes alcoholic choices. Sans Bar also caters private parties and charity functions, which has been the most well-received aspect of the business. People have been “genuinely appreciative” for providing an option that still makes
JANUARY 2020
Saubers isn’t alone in recognizing the power of alcohol-free cocktails. A growing number of bars and restaurants are also adding the drinks to their menus. “First and foremost, it’s our goal to provide the same level of hospitality to all of our guests, and that’s impossible to do for us unless we consider all of our guests’ different needs,” says Ça Va general manager Sarah Hogan. “It’s often not a lot of fun to be out with your friends and have no choice but water to drink.” The Westport favorite’s offerings are updated seasonally along with the rest of the menu and designed with the same attention and care. Some of Ça Va’s favorite regulars actually don’t drink at all, Hogan notes, and instead come in to experience the different booze-free cocktails. “I always try to encourage people to be mindful of the fact that if it sounds delicious, you can have it even if it doesn’t have alcohol,” she says. “I steer a lot of people who would drink and do drink toward some of our alcohol-free options because they’re delicious and they’re really thoughtful.” Adam Chase, Corvino Supper Club and Tasting Room’s lead bartender, has a similar philosophy. “Non-alcoholic cocktails have always been an important part of my cocktail program,” he says. “I think the non-alcoholic game needs to be just as dynamic as the regular cocktail menu.” One of his current favorites is the Low Tide, a tiki-style libation that uses alcohol-free aperitif syrup, passion-fruit purée, lemon juice and sugar. Another of the bar’s offerings, the Whoo Ha, Cherry Soda, is a throwback to soda fountain drinks with amarena cherry syrup. Non-alcoholic cocktails aren’t formally on the menu at The W in
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