How Do You Replace Alcohol in a Cocktail?
There’s no doubt about it, cocktails are delicious! But if you’re cutting back on alcohol, you might wonder how you can still enjoy them. After all, alcohol is the main ingredient in most cocktail recipes. Is there even a way to replace alcohol in a mocktail?
For most of their existence, mocktails have had trouble capturing the authentic taste of liquor. When you search for a virgin margarita recipe, you will probably find ones limited to only lime juice, agave, and seltzer. And for a true margarita fan, this will not have all the flavor they crave!
If you’re looking for flavorful mocktails, you will need to incorporate a liquor substitute. In recent years non-alcoholic spirits have hit the market, giving the sober and sober curious a way to craft their favorite drink recipes, without the alcohol.
Using non-alcoholic spirits to replace alcohol in a cocktail allows you to enjoy the taste of liquor, without any of the negative side effects.
What are non-alcoholic spirits?
Americans' drinking habits have changed, and so have the non-alcoholic options. Today you can find your favorite spirit in non-alcoholic form. Whether it’s bourbon, rum, gin, or tequila, there is a non-alcoholic spirit alternative out there for every classic spirit.
A lot of brands use natural and artificial flavoring with water to mimic alcohol. But the best non-alcoholic spirits are created similar to their full-proof counterparts. Spiritless for example uses traditional distillation and removes the alcohol after. This reverse distillation method keeps all the authentic notes of your favorite spirit, but it’s now alcohol-free.
Non-alcoholic spirits have between 0% and 0.5% ABV. It is nearly impossible to feel intoxicated from enjoying them. You get all the complex flavors and don’t have to worry about a hangover.
Are non-alcoholic spirits healthy?
Non-alcoholic spirits have up to 90% fewer calories compared to traditional spirits. Mocktails have fewer calories, which may help you manage your weight. Alcohol-free spirits also do not negatively affect your physical and mental health the way alcohol is known to do.
Of course, there are other ingredients to a cocktail besides the spirit that contributes to its calorie level. When crafting a mocktail, focus on citrus and find recipes without a ton of added sugar. A non-alcoholic Old Fashioned, for example, is only 35 calories!
What are popular non-alcoholic drinks?
The most popular non-alcoholic drinks are exactly the same as the most popular alcoholic drinks. The best part of non-alcoholic spirits is they taste identical to the real thing. You can take any cocktail recipe, and substitute the liquor with a non-alcoholic liquor.
Shake up a mock margarita on Taco Tuesday, sip on a Whiskey Sour mocktail at happy hour, and serve a crowd-pleasing non-alcoholic Manhattan at your next dinner party. The options are endless!
You’ve probably noticed canned cocktails growing in popularity. You can now also find pre-mixed non-alcoholic cocktails to enjoy. Spiritless pour-over cocktails take the muss and fuss out of mixing up a mocktail. There is no alcohol and no cleanup involved. You can also easily pack them for parties, beach days, and picnics.
Can you make non-alcoholic spirits at home?
Unless you have a background in distillation and have a small still at home, you probably will not successfully make your own non-alcoholic spirits. Spiritless proprietary reverse distillation took a long time to perfect! Although the founders started out the process in their home, it was perfected in their distillery in Kentucky!
Where can you buy non-alcoholic spirits?
You’ll be surprised how many places sell non-alcoholic spirits! Visit your local liquor store, and if they do not carry the one you want, ask them about it. If they know there’s demand, they may give it some shelf space.
You can also find a lot of non-alcoholic spirits at larger chains, like Total Wine.
You can also shop online through trusted sites, like The Zero Proof and Amazon. And if there’s a brand you’ve tried and love, buy straight from their website.