Suppose you’ve started to search for the perfect non-alcoholic cocktail recipe book. In that case, you’ve discovered many to choose from, with a range of complexities associated with the recipes within. I appreciate having a few to pull from, depending on my mood. If I want a basic cocktail, which I can likely create with the ingredients in my fridge, I go to Free Spirit Cocktails. If I’m feeling like a scientist and want to create my own NA spirit, I reach for ZERO. And when I want to create a classic cocktail, I flip open The Mocktail Club or the accompanying Make It a Mocktail Recipe Deck. As a bonus, the book and the deck contain beautifully photographed cocktails served in lovely glassware.
For those of you who have seen my writing before, you may have noticed that I’ve avoided the word “mocktail.” I’m a proponent of elevating the cocktail experience for everyone – whether you’re including alcohol or not in your drink. And it’s my opinion that the word “mocktail” is derogatory and not in service of elevating the craft. That, in fact, it does the opposite – it conjures something unauthentic or less than. However, in chapter one of The Mocktail Club, Derick Santiago lays out his strong rationale for why “mocktail” is an appropriate term for these beverages we’re concocting. It is an umbrella term for “non-alcoholic cocktails,” “alcohol-free cocktails,” or “zero-proof cocktails.” Each of these terms has a precise meaning related to alcohol by volume (ABV) and the country in which you reside. And they are often misused. Very fair points, Derick! Terminology does matter; his book opener explains this in more detail and suggests ingredients to have on hand and items to make ahead of time (like a variety of simple syrups or shrubs), bar tools, and glassware.
The second part of this book contains recipes organized by their base spirit (i.e., rum-inspired, whiskey-inspired, tequila-inspired, and so on). You’ll find seventy-five recipes that include classics like the Bee’s Knees and new flavor concoctions like The Fog (Fig Orange Ginger). Each recipe has an intro that provides the drink’s history, tasting notes, or tips on serving. I have created a few cocktails from this book thus far, from the whiskey and gin categories; in each case, I found myself adding more flavor to the drink, either by increasing the citrus or bitters. But that desire could be attributed to the base spirit I chose to use vs. the actual brand with which this cocktail was created.
That is one request I would have of this author – to share the specific brand/flavor of gin alternative or whiskey alternative used in each cocktail. I have found that the spectrum of flavors in each NA spirits category varies greatly. And since the perfect cocktail balances flavors, I want to know precisely what this bartender has balanced.
Derick Santiago is a mixologist based in Southern California. He has worked as a recipe designer, photographer, and video creator in the non-alcoholic beverage industry. Derick has generously shared many of his recipes on his website and Instagram.
The Sobees NA Recipe Cocktail Book Score: 4 out of 5
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.
#ADDCART x HAPPY EVERY HOUR: 12 Alcohol-Free Recipe Books & NA Brands For The Sober People In Your Life
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
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
