mock·tail
/ˈmäkˌtāl/ noun: mocktail; plural noun: mocktails
1. a mixed drink meant to replicate the presentation of a cocktail without the alcohol.
2. a non-alcoholic drink consisting of a mixture of fruit juices, herbs,
sparkling water, spices, syrups or other soft drinks to create unique flavors.
3. zero-proof cocktails.
SYN: alcohol-free, spirit-free, clean, virgin [archaic]
Aaahhh, how well I remember my single-digit self feeling like a grown-up when allowed to order a Shirley Temple in restaurants. A highball glass of grenadine-splashed ginger ale over sparkling ice, adorned with a maraschino cherry (or two, if the bartender felt cheeky) was the ultimate special occasion treat.
A treat, indeed, but today’s mocktails have evolved to be so much more than fruit-infused sodas or seltzer waters. We’re not just talking a glass of soda water with a twist of lime. For a fresh glimpse of what makes a good mocktail, I tapped Augusta’s skilled mixologists, equipped to create tarted-up bevvies with much more glamor and pizazz, to scratch the non-alcoholic itch with tee-totaling fun concoctions.
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????Vance’s Bakery Bar????
The folks at Vance’s are serving up warm Superfruit Cider, a delightfully organic cold-pressed apple cider blended with a bouquet of pomegranate juice, blueberries, fresh ginger + thyme. I found this steeped liquid goodness with its aromatically elegant winter fruits + spices to be a hug for the soul.
????Pineapple Ink Tavern????
Bailey prepares the bursting-with-flavor Pineapple Paradise by dousing pineapple juice with jalapeño syrup, mango juice + lime and serving it in a spice-rimmed glass. Its tangy flair transported my tastebuds to an island escape (without the irritation of sand in my swimsuit), and I don’t mind that one iota.
????Finch + Fifth????
I think I caught a glimmer in Chris’ eye when I gave him carte blanche to prepare me a mocktail. He returned with a tall glass of magenta glory he named the Blueberry Bomb, a mix of ginger ale, blueberry juice + lemon juice. It was zippy with a citrus-y punch, an absolute delight on my tongue.
????Hive Bodega ????
If you prefer playing bartender at home, check out the products at Hive Bodega. John poured me a taste of a non-alcoholic bourbon that was mellow with notes of hazelnuts and toffee. So what could you do with it, you may ask? Drink it straight (with or without ice) or add a tonic or soda mixer. You could make just about any bourbon-based libation you desire with spirit-free substitutions.
All spiritual views aside, no matter the reason for your alcohol-abstinence (which frankly, is nobody’s beeswax), there is a potent dose of spirit-free options at your fingertips. Flavored syrup, juice, and fizz poured over some ice (with a pretty straw + garnish, if you so please) make for such a tasty drink you may not even miss the booze. The bartenders in our fair city are happy to oblige you by curating a special spirit-free sipper so you can still feel pinkies-up fancy (sans next morning regrets).
Ann Beth Strelec is known around town as the Naked Epicurean, sampling the finest cocktails known to Augustans. Find out about adult beverages at The Augusta Press on the first and third Friday or on Instagram @NakedEpicurean
