Drink Responsibly
Apple
Classy & Fabulous
Golden Gate Spritz
Toasted Rice Sikhye
The Golden Gate Spritz is a low-ABV cocktail on the new “ Semi Strong Pour ” cocktail at Foundation Social Eatery in Alpharetta , GA . The Apple and the Toasted Rice Sikhye are part of the “ Sea Level ” no-proof cocktails at Aphotic in San Francisco . The Classy & Fabulous is one of the “ On The Wagon ” nonalcoholic drinks at KYU restaurants .
and the Non-Gin Sour , with Ritual Zero Proof Gin alternative , lemon , Earl Grey syrup , egg white and bitters .
The restaurant is leaning into the warmer months with a new “ Semi Strong Pour ” cocktail selection that fits between its “ Spirit Free ” and “ Strong Pour ” menus .
Semi Strong Pours include the Golden Gate Spritz , made with Lo-Fi gentian amaro , grapefruit and prosecco ; Aperol Fizz , with Aperol , The Botanist gin , dry vermouth , lemon , grapefruit oleo and egg white ; and Boom Goes the Dynamite , with Boomsma Cloosterbitter , pineapple , lime , velvet falernum and saline solution .
HOSPITALITY CHAINS RAISE THEIR NA GAME
Hotels are definitely getting the message that guests want to see more inspired nonalcoholic beverages . Hyatt Hotels Corp . launched its Zero Proof , Zero Judgment beverage program in 2021 . Hilton ’ s contemporary lifestyle brand Tempo by Hilton in late 2023 unveiled a menu of hand-crafted “ Spirited ” and “ Free-Spirited ” cocktails .
Loews Hotels & Co . in April announced the debut of the Free Spirited by Loews Hotels program for guests who choose to imbibe less or not at all . The brand-wide offering of handcrafted low- and no-ABV beverage options showcases on-site mixology talent using locally sourced ingredients and unique flavor combinations , the company says .
The Stafford London ’ s American Bar offers a separate menu of alcohol-free drinks including The Light House , made with sober gin , zalotti blossom , star fruit , pomelo , citrus shrub and lemongrass tonic , and The Sobrero with sober rum , grapefruit , mint , lime and Mediterranean tonic water . Guests can order any cocktail with a “ sober spirit .”
Head sommelier Eugenio Egorov has also seen an increase in requests for non-alcoholic wines . After a lengthy search he added Wild Idol , a sparkling wine from Germany to the American Bar ’ s offerings .
“ Non-alcoholic wines still have a long way to go before they reach the same level and quality as standard wines , and therefore our non-alcoholic wine list is currently restricted to just one sparkling that met our standards ,” says Egorov .
NO-PROOF PAIRINGS
Some restaurants not only embrace the popularity of spirit-free cocktails , they ’ re taking it to the next level . For instance , Cyrus in Geyserville , CA , diners offers a 20−course dining experience complete with zero-proof drink pairings .
The spirit-free cocktails , crafted with the same precision , care and attention to detail as the alcoholic options , include the Rose Champagne , made with coconut , white sesame , cherry blossom and lime ; the Apple Martini , with Pink lady apple , fennel , shio-koji , mint olive oil ; and the Huckleberry Fizz , with shiitake-verjus , sarsaparilla , citron and five-spice .
San Francisco restaurants Aphotic and Kiln have also added nonalcoholic beverage pairings to accompany their tasting menus . For example , Aphotic ’ s Sea Level Pairing consists of seven to eight beverages and features the restaurant ’ s in-house distillates derived from locally foraged , native ingredients . Bar director Trevin Hutchins and the team also use advanced culinary techniques such as in-house carbonation and winemaking clarification practices .
For instance , the Apple uses a sparkling Granny Smith apple juice that is clarified and carbonated , along with a house-made nonalcoholic vermouth and sea urchin . It ’ s paired with the Prickleback Croquette & Black Garlic . �
Aphotic ’ s other Sea Level cocktails include the White Chocolate & Lemongrass Fizz with crème fraiche and a lemongrass straw ; and a Toasted Rice Sikhye with coconut water , maple , lime leaf and 25−year balsamic vinegar . .
HIGHER EXPECTATIONS
Consumer drinking habits are changing , from the increase in those not imbibing at all to the rise of “ zebra striping ,” or switching between alcohol-free and alcoholic beverages . Operators have to offer high-quality , flavorful options for guests wanting more than just a soda
Some consumers may expect to pay less for a drink without alcohol , but people aren ’ t abstaining from drinking to save money , notes The Ardent Co .’ s Gasper . Most are prepared to pay for drinks that “ look and taste as spectacular as their alcohol-free counterparts .”
10 Drink Responsibly 2024