No Sunday Scaries Here It may help, but you don’t need to drink to have fun — here’s how.
words by Vivian Whitney illustrations by Thanh Thai
Okay, okay, enough of the college-kids-love-to-binge-drink-cheap-alcohol stereotypes. There are plenty of us who choose not to drink alcohol at different points, but who says we have to miss out on the fun too? The designated driver shouldn’t be stuck drinking their third La Croix that they randomly found in the fridge at a function. Not knowing what to order at a bar when you’re sober except for a virgin screwdriver — actually, can you make it a virgin mimosa? — shouldn’t be so stressful and annoying. But luckily, the mocktail and non-alcoholic drink industry is experiencing a renaissance so you can enjoy your favorite alcohol sans alcohol. Many non-drinkers and mocktail aficionados are also matching this energy with innovative and experimental non-alcoholic mixed drinks that are made to stand alone without alcohol but give the same intrigue as a fun cocktail. Find the scenario that sounds most like you to see what non-alcoholic drink you should try on your upcoming vacci-cation.
Have no desire to ever taste alcohol again? Get yourself into the world of elevated mocktails. We’re not talking mojitos and piña coladas without rum. We’re talking non-alcoholic mixed drinks that don’t even need to think about alcohol to be cool. While there’s plenty of resources out there to find recipe ideas, recent books like Julia Bainbridge’s Good Drinks: Alcohol-Free Recipes for When You’re Not Drinking for Whatever Reason feature beautiful and ingenious recipes for non-alcoholic drinks that stand proudly on their own, and also suggests bars to visit that serve great non-alcoholic drinks. Using simple ingredients like juices and tonics with less expected ones like basil-matcha syrup, yuzu koshu, and homemade spiced mushroom salt, you can be your own mixologist. Never settle for a boring virgin beverage again!
Don’t want to be seen at the function with a soda can in hand? Indulge in a non-alcoholic beer of your choice. A handful of well-known beer companies like Heineken and Budweiser have created non-alcoholic renditions of their classic brews, but craft beer hasn’t forgotten about you either! There are plenty of non-alcoholic craft beers in whatever style you like hitting the shelves. Athletic Brewing Co. and Surreal Brewing Company are both non-alcoholic breweries that offer a variety of styles, from IPAs and stouts to kölshs and cervezas. Or try your favorite craft brewery’s non-alcoholic option, like Brooklyn Lager’s Special Effects Hoppy Amber or Lagunitas’ Hoppy Refresher (okay, Lagunitas hasn’t been a craft brewery since 2015, but it has craft vibes). So grab the brewski of your choice and own that function with no alcohol and no fear.