The holidays are here and it’s time to cheer! Craft alcohol-free recipes are having a moment and we are here for it. We’ve spent too many years sipping on lemon water or coffee at holiday gatherings. Hello! We’re sober but we are far from being boring. Please enjoy our curated list of zero-proof recipe books and spirits from some of our favs.
TRIGGER WARNING: People in early sobriety may want to proceed with caution. Please hydrate responsibly … because drunk never looks good.
Gift Idea #1: Zero, an alcohol free recipe book
It’s not uncommon for some guests to refrain – for any number of reasons – from consuming alcohol. Because the creators of Zero want these guests to enjoy the same high-level experience and enjoy careful consideration as anyone else who may visit their locations, they offer thoughtfully-created non-alcoholic options at each of their restaurants. Rather than relying on obvious offerings like sodas, juices, or water, they work to create beverage options that are more complex and surprising.
Sober Curator Pro Tip: Our CEO and Co-Founder, Alysse B., cozied up to her fireplace with the Reserve Edition of Zero a few weeks ago. Yes, the book is absolutely stunning. The photography is truly a work of art, as we imagine are most of the recipes in this book. If you are a newbie to creating craft alcohol-free recipes, this may not be the book for you. The recipes are complex and you’ll want to make sure you have all of the right barware accessories and ingredients.
Gift Idea #2: Curious Elixirs, Shaken Not Slurred
0% Alcohol. 100% Delicious. Curious Elixirs are booze-free craft cocktails for everyone. Handcrafted in the Hudson River Valley, they use only the best ingredients and nothing artificial. Their cocktails combine ONLY organic juices, spices, herbs, roots, barks, and botanicals.
Plus, let’s be honest. They had us at their tagline “Shaken Not Slurred”. These alcohol-free cocktails are crafted for complexity. Brewed without booze for maximum flavor. Lightly carbonated to make your mouth dance. Each flavor is a collaboration between their team of world-class bartenders, herbalists, and food scientists.
Our current favs are Curious No. 2 and Curious No. 4 (which is in limited release) But you don’t have to take our word for it, try one of each! With their subscription club, this makes a great gift that will keep on giving with each monthly delivery. We recently enjoyed Curious No. 2 at a Sober Ladies Virtual Bingo Party hosted by New Fashioned Sobriety and you can read all about it here. (Sober Curator Pro Tip: They host virtual meetups two times a month! Follow them on insta to stay connected to the new-fashioned fun!)
Gift Idea #3: Ginger Beer Making Kit with Copper Mule Mugs
As seen on Uncommon Goods (one of our fav gift-giving sites), is this fun Bootleg Botanical Ginger Mule making kit! Spice up your alcohol-free Moscow Mule by making one of its essential ingredients—ginger beer—from scratch. With this kit, you can ferment up one gallon of piquant ginger beer from all-organic ingredients in about a week’s time. It comes packaged in an embroidered mesh bag for easy brewing and the standard soda is non-alcoholic.
Trigger Warning: You can also make a spiked version, so gift this one responsibly. The brew’s final ABV ranges from 0 -10% depending on your desired flavor profile. Once your mixer is ready, whip up a round of mocktails (the kit makes enough for 32) and pour them into the antique-finished copper mugs with brass handles. The natural interiors will age with each use, giving the mugs a unique vintage quality with time. The kit is also available straight up—without the mugs.
Gift Idea #4: TOST Beverages, be part of the moment!
Be part of the moment! With TOST Beverages you will enjoy a non-alcoholic dry, sparkling refresher that’s perfect for every occasion. TOST is the perfect gift to take with you to any celebration you may be attending. And it’s also the perfect bottle to enjoy for a quiet night at home when you are in the mood to feel a little fancy.
This isn’t the first time we’ve featured TOST and it certainly won’t be the last. Yes, we like it that much. Plus, use code “SOBERCURATOR15” and receive 15% off your order!
Sober Curator Pro Tip: Warning! This baby will blow when you open her up, so make sure to open it over your sink or outside, unless of course you want the celebration to soak up the front of your shirt.
TOST #ADDTOCART
Gift Idea #5: Good Drinks: Alcohol-Free Recipes for When You’re Not Drinking for Whatever Reason
Good Drinks is a serious and stylish look at sophisticated nonalcoholic beverages by a former Bon Appétit editor and James Beard Award nominee, Julia Bainbridge.
Gift Idea #6: Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Spirits, Opt Out Without Being Left Out
Many years in the making, Lyre’s exquisite range of lovingly crafted non-alcoholic spirits was borne from a quest to make the impossible possible – giving the freedom to drink your drink, your way. Not just provide an alternative to those who don’t wish to imbibe alcohol, but ensure everyone can enjoy the mirth and merriment of a soiree or shindig.
Are you ready to drool over these holiday recipes?
Gift Idea #7: Alcohol-Free Cocktails – by Catherine Salway & Andrea Waters
Alcohol-free drinks have never been more glamorous thanks to this stunning new book by Catherine Salway and Andrea Waters, the brains behind Redemption, one of London’s healthiest bar restaurant brands.
Redemption Bar will introduce you to a refreshing new take on alcohol-free drinks and innovative, healthy bar snacks. Learn how to make delicious, guilt-free cocktails and tasty canapés that will dazzle your guests and delight your taste buds.
Packed with nutritious recipes, this alcohol-free cocktail recipe book has something for everyone, with a variety of vegan, low-sugar, and gluten-free recipes available. And the best part? You can get it at Walmart.
Gift Idea #8: Kolibri, tailored by you
We figured out a while ago that the UK knows what’s up when it comes to the alcohol-free beverage movement. Who are we kidding, they probably are the ones that started it. Kolibri is a new brand from the UK and we discovered we could get it here in the states thanks to Amazon.
Kolibri Drinks are lightly sparkling botanical infusions, completely sugar-free until you choose to enhance the flavors by adding the delicious blend of golden agave from the cap. Not only are the bottles beautifully designed, but the combination of flavors is sure to keep your taste buds entertained.
Gift Idea #9: All-Natural Edible Glitter
Yes, you read that correctly. We want you to drink glitter. Make any moment extra special with all-natural vegan glitter for mocktails and zero-proof recipes of all varieties. Bring on the glam from our favs over at Uncommon Goods.
Making holiday margaritas? Or maybe just pretty pink cocktails because, heck, it’s Wednesday? Go on Sober Diva’s, add some glam. Pour one of Melanie Goldsmith’s all-natural vegan glitter sachets into any beverage or recipe for an extra-special boost. Each packet is premeasured so there’s no guesswork. Choose from three colors and flavors: rose gold raspberry, gold blood orange, or gold (with no flavor). The oohs and aahs await.
Gift Idea #10: Sexy AF, rethink your drink
Sexy AF Collection of Alcohol-Free Spirits featuring our ViirGiin, Triple Sexy, Amar-Oh, and Kamparii, make your favorite cocktails into great tasting, refreshing alcohol-free mocktails with Sexy AF. You know that AF stands for alcohol-free, right? Although, if you like the other meaning of AF, we’re ok with that too.
Sober Curator Pro Tip: Download the Sexy AF Spirits Digital Recipe Book Here. They will tell you exactly what you need to make 16 amazing recipes that have some pretty clever names like Bitter Mistress, Viirgiin White Lady, Bitter Moment Mojito, Maiden’s Blush Martini, Hanky Panky and so many more!
Gift Idea #11: Dry Secco and Bubbly Rose by Gruvi
There’s a reason the Gruvi Non-Alcoholic Dry Secco keeps selling out. Sip on the stars with their bubbly, non-alcoholic prosecco (now called Dry Secco). First, they start with handpicked and blended wine grapes to create their amazing version of champagne. Their wine is semi-dry, with floral and tart endnotes. Each serving is 0.0% alcohol, 10 ounces, and boasts only 50 calories. Did we mention it’s completely free of gluten and sulfates? Cheers to that! Sober Curator Pro Tip: If it’s sold out when you go to their site, check back frequently, they are pretty good at replenishing their inventory.
Meet the newest addition to their core lineup, Grüvi Bubbly Rosé. Their rose is fruity on the nose and pours a light pink hue. (Maybe this is a good place to add that edible glitter we told you about from Uncommon Goods!) Tiny, effervescent bubbles compliment notes of tart, green apple alongside fresh strawberry. This refreshing wine is gluten-free, alcohol-free, and only 60 calories per bottle. If you like a bit of sweet and a bit of tart, this is the drink for you! Sober Curator Pro Tip: Yep. This one is currently sold out too, and there’s a reason for that readers. Both bevies are just that good! Check back frequently for updates.
And that’s not all! Gruvi has a full line-up for NA Beers. How Gruvi is that?
Gift Idea #12: Proteau, the zero-proof botanical drink unlike any other
Proteau Rivington Spritz is a sparkling botanical drink that is refreshing and bright. Enjoy chilled ice-cold anywhere people drink delicious beverages. Hibiscus and chamomile flowers, Chinese rhubarb, gentian, strawberries, and a touch of artisanal vinegar are perfectly matched to a hot day on the patio or a sunset rooftop bar.
Proteau Ludlow Red is a botanical drink that pairs effortlessly with food and friendly company anytime day or night. Uniquely combined notes of blackberry, chrysanthemum, black pepper, and dandelion open and reveal themselves, engaging the senses as it is savored. Perfect with a savory meal, or on its own, slowly sipped as you wind down the night.
Complex in taste, either of these options will enhance any holiday gatherings you are celebrating this holiday season. The bottles are gorgeous in person and you might just feel like you’re sipping liquid luxury.
ICYMI – so far we’ve published three themed gift guide options in our 12 sober days of gift-giving and you can check them out below.
- Advent Calendars: 12 Advent Calendars curated for those unique and quirky people in your life
- Recovery Gifts: 12 Runway worthy recovery gifts curated for the people in recovery for alcohol or drugs
- Give Art Therapy: 12 artsy gift items for the sober people in your life who love to keep their hands busy creating fun projects
- Selfie Care: 12 selfie care gift items for the sober people in your life who need to slow their roll and have some good selfie care down time
- Alcohol-Free Barware: 12 barware gift items for the sober people in your life who love to have fun making and mixing mocktails
- Give Entertainment: 12 entertaining gift items for that sober person in your life who still likes to have fun
- Ice Ice Baby: 12 ice molds for the sober people in your life who still want to have fun with zero-proof beverages
- Keep it Glassy: 12 glassware items for that sober mocktail-maker in your life!
- Give Books: 12 curated recovery books to gift this year to that sober reader in your life (it’s ok if that’s you)
The holidays are a hard time for many. This year, well, it may be even harder. Resources are available should you need them.
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.
