I definitely miss whiskey since I quit drinking alcohol. But I’ve realized that I need to alter my expectations about finding an exact replacement for the whiskey I had become so fond of. First, the non-alcoholic whiskey substitutes aren’t necessarily designed to sip independently. And so far, none of my taste tests have yielded the same full mouth-feel or burn that whiskey provides. Okay, with that established, I set my criteria instead on something that will create a flavorful cocktail in the place of an Old Fashioned or in the place of a Whiskey Sour.
Have you met Philters? This is a family of zero-proof spirits “inspired by ancient infusions, designed to enhance connection, joy, and shared experiences.” Philters Wiski is an infusion of herbs, roots, Lapsang Souchong tea, and other ingredients which are considered adaptogens which promote a sense of well-being while providing calm and soothing effects. Philters do not require refrigeration and are best consumed within 6 months of opening.
When tasting a new NA spirit, I let the brand be my guide – so I go straight to the website for NA cocktail recipes. I tried a variation of their Wiski Cherry Smash recipe with ingredients I had on hand, using Mixly Bitter Orange Cherry Mixer, and the cocktail was refreshing. I also created my Whiskey Sour recipe and an Old Fashioned. I’m happy to say that Philters Wiski passed my test! It added a balanced flavor profile with a little bit of heat and smokiness. Wiski contains 5 calories per 2-ounce serving and less than 1 gram of sugar and is made in the US. I recommend this one for your bar cart, and I hope you enjoy experimenting with this whiskey alternative!
Old Fashioned (NA)
- 3 oz Philters Wiski
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 2 dashes Mister Bitters Fig & Cinnamon bitters (Please note that this brand contains alcohol)
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail pitcher with ice. Stir until well-chilled. Strain into glass and garnish with a cherry (Filthy black cherries are my favorite!)
Wiski Sour (NA)
- 3 oz Philters Wiski
- 2 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until well-chilled. Strain into glass and garnish with a cherry (Filthy black cherries are my favorite!)
THE HAPPY TRAVELER – VINTAGE TRAVEL BARS: The Artist & Curator, Kim Parsley, lives near Seattle, Washington.
With an education in Interior Design, her career path has led her to fulfill many roles in interior architecture. Now retired, she leverages her design skills towards the curation of vintage travel bars as well as collecting and selling vintage barware.
Kim is also a contributor to multiple magazines, including The Sober Curator. She writes reviews and articles for the Happy Every Hour section, including non-alcoholic spirit reviews and recipe contributions.
When not in the studio or traveling, she and her husband spend many weekends off-the-grid hiking and experimenting with new cocktails at their cabin in the woods of the North Cascades.
HAPPY EVERY HOUR: Welcome to the hub for all things NA, featuring reviews of alcohol-free beers, ciders, wines, spirits, RTDs (ready-to-drink), NA recipes, and so much more from behind the bar. #becausedrunkneverlooksgood
