More than half (57%) of global consumers are following Dry January this year, according to the 2023 Bacardi Cocktail Trends Report, with 40% planning to drink more non-alcoholic and low-ABV beverages throughout 2023. So while you should consider “Drynuary” drink specials, it’s wise to offer a robust selection of no-/low-ABV cocktails all year.
What’s more, guest standards for mocktails are now higher, as bartenders craft alcohol-free sips with flavor in the same vein as full-proof spirits. As a result, Bacardi’s trend report notes that up to 23% of Millennial and legal Gen Z consumers are becoming “blenders,” or those switching between no-/low-ABV and full-strength cocktails on the same occasion.
The increased availability of non-alcoholic spirits and craft mixers makes it a bit easier to offer high-quality, no-proof cocktails. Here are just a few that we like for early 2023.
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Oh, Pear
Course Drinks
Keyword Asian pear cordial, lemon, sage, Seedlip Grove
1 ½ oz. Seedlip Grove1 oz. Asian pear cordial¾ oz. Lemon juiceSage 2 small leaves or 1 largeSoda to top
Shake ingredients (except soda) together.
Fine strain over crushed ice in white wine glass.
Top with soda and garnish with a small sage top.
The mixologists at Miss Carousel in Houston, TX, created this recipe.
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Get Naked
Course Drinks
Keyword lemon, NKD LDY Gin Alternative, Red wine syrup
2 oz. NKD LDY Gin Alternative non-alcoholic spirit1 oz. Lemon juice¾ oz. Red wine syrup fortified with foraged botanicals*4 dashes Scrappy’s Black Lemon bitters
Combine all ingredients in a shaker.
Shake to chill and dilute.
Double strain into rocks glass with KY Straight Ice.
* For Red wine syrup: Infuse Chianti Classico with foraged botanicals for one month. Strain solids and cook wine at a simmer for 10 minutes until alcohol is cooked out. Add sugar and cook until dissolved.
Miranda Densford, beverage director at Barn8 Restaurant and Bourbon Bar in Goshen, KY, created this recipe.
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Alternate Earth
Course Drinks
Keyword carrot juice, Ginger syrup, lemon, Seedlip Garden
1 ½ oz. Seedlip Garden¾ oz. Carrot juice¾ oz. Lemon juice½ oz. Simple syrup¼ oz. Ginger syrup
Combine ingredients and shake.
Strain into pilsner with crushed ice.
Garnish with a mint bouquet.
The mixologists at Death & Co. created this recipe.
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Pure Imagination
Course Drinks
Keyword Ginger rosemary syrup, lavender, lime, tonic water
½ oz. Ginger rosemary syrup½ oz. Lavender syrup½ oz. Lime juiceQ Tonic water
Shake the first three ingredients.
Pour ice into Collins glass.
Top with Q Tonic.
Garnish with herb sprig.
The mixologists at Everyday Kitchen in Louisville, KY, created this recipe.
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Blueberry Lemonade
Course Drinks
Keyword Blueberry Ginger Mint Amethyst NA Spirit, lemon, lime
2 oz. Blueberry Ginger Mint Amethyst NA Spirit1 oz. House-made lemon syrup1 oz. House-made lime syrup
Shake all ingredients together.
Serve over ice.
Garnish with blueberries in the glass and on a skewer.
The mixologists at Lucky Rooster Kitchen + Bar in Hilton Head Island, SC, created this recipe.
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Karl’s Dry Jan “Gin” Cocktail
Course Drinks
Keyword ginger beer, lemon, Orange blossom honey syrup, Rice vinegar
1 oz. Fresh-squeezed lemon juice1 oz. Orange blossom honey syrup 1:1 blend of honey to water, orange blossom water to taste, and orange oil from orange peels4 dashes Hella Bitters Eucalyptus bitters4 drops Rice vinegarSmall sprig of Rosemary3 to 4 oz. Uncle Waithley’s Vincy Brew Caribbean ginger beerSage leaf for garnish
Shake ingredients except ginger beer.
Strain into rocks glass with ice.
Top with ginger beer.
Garnish with sage leaf.
Mixologist Karl Franz Williams, founder of Uncle Waithley’s, created this recipe.
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Pitaya Faux Tai
Course Drinks
Keyword Blood Orange-Guava, Coco Reàl, lime, Pink pitaya powder
1 oz. Coco Reàl1 oz. Barmalade Blood Orange-Guava2 oz. Fresh lime juice2 tsps. Pink pitaya powder
Combine all ingredients in cup with ice.
Roll ingredients into mixing tin and back into cup.
Garnish with lime wedge and edible orchid.
The mixologists at Lifted Bar & Restaurant at Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport created this recipe.
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Rio Perdido Faux ‘Rita
Course Drinks
Keyword Blue spirulina powder, lime, orange, orgeat
1 oz. Liber & Co. Orgeat1 oz. Fresh lime juice1 oz Orange juice½ tsp. Blue spirulina powder
Combine all ingredients in cup with ice.
Roll ingredients into mixing tin and back into cup.
Garnish with lime wheel.
The mixologists at Lifted Bar & Restaurant at Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport created this recipe.
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Menta Limón
Course Drinks
Keyword lemon, mint syrup, Ritual Zero Proof Gin
1 oz. Ritual Zero Proof Gin1 oz. Mint syrup*1 oz. Lemon juice
Hard shake ingredients together.
Add cobbled ice and a splash of soda.
Pour into a Collins glass.
Garnish with expressed mint sprigs.
*For Mint syrup:
Make simple syrup (2 parts sugar, 1 part water). Pour in quart container, while leaving about 1⁄4 of the container empty for the mint. Take two large bundles of mint, twist up, and add mint leaves to simple syrup. Stir in and let rest overnight in fridge. Strain and refrigerate.
Kala Ellis, bar director at Oak Steakhouse Nashville, created this recipe.
The post Spirit-free Drink Recipes For 2023 first appeared on Cheers.
