Remember poor Rudolph and how none of the other reindeer wanted to play with him? Being left out is never fun, especially around the holidays! If you’re like us, you love having friends and family gathered in your home during the holidays.
A new year is the perfect time for fresh starts, new traditions, and gatherings with friends and family. Whether you're hosting a laid-back brunch, a festive evening celebration, or simply enjoying good company, offering drinks that cater to everyone's preferences is a must. These paired mocktail and cocktail recipes ensure every guest—even those sipping alcohol-free—has something delicious to toast with as you ring in the year ahead.
The Recipe
¾ cup water
2 to 3 teaspoons honey, to taste
2 to 3 teaspoons lemon juice, to taste
Lemon wheel
Cinnamon stick
In a teapot or saucepan, bring water to a simmer. Pour the hot water into a mug. Add whiskey, honey and lemon juice. Stir until the honey has disappeared into the hot water. Add more honey or lemon juice as desired. Garnish with a lemon round and cinnamon stick.
Alcoholic Version
Replace the 1 ½ ounces Nkd Distillery Whiskey Alternative Non-Alcoholic Spirit with 1 ½ ounces of Quarter Horse Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Prepare in the same method as above.
The Recipe
1 slice fresh ginger
1 teaspoon sugar
½ pinch cinnamon
2 ounces freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
2 ½ ounces Fre Sparkling Brut, Alcohol-Removed Wine
Muddle ginger, sugar and cinnamon in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add grapefruit juice, fill with ice, and shake well. Strain into a Champagne flute and top with Fre Brut.
Alcoholic Version
Replace the 2 ½ ounces of Fre Brut with 2 ½ ounces of Haton Champagne Brut Classic Champagne. Prepare in the same method as above.
The Recipe
1 ½ ounces Ritual Zero Proof Tequila Alternative
½ ounce agave syrup
½ ounce non-alcoholic triple sec
1 ounce lime juice
¾ ounce cranberry juice
Fresh cranberries
Rim a glass with salt and set aside. Add tequila alternative, agave syrup, non-alcoholic triple sec syrup, lime juice and cranberry juice to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain into rimmed glass over fresh ice. Garnish with fresh cranberries and lime wheel.
Alcoholic Version
Replace the 1 ½ ounces of Ritual Zero Proof Tequila Alternative with 1 ½ ounces CavAgave Blanco Tequila and the ½ ounce of non-alcoholic triple sec with Charles Regnier Triple Sec. Prepare in the same method as above.
The Recipe
6 ounces Zilch Brut Bubbles Non-Alcoholic
1 ounce pure tart cherry juice, refrigerated
Rosemary sprig, optional
Dried berries, optional
In a glass with ice, add Zilch Brut and cherry juice. Stir to combine. Optional garnish with rosemary sprig and dried berries.
Alcoholic Version
Replace the 6 ounces of Zilch Zero-Alcohol Brut Bubbles with 6 ounces Octopoda Prosecco Brut DOC. Prepare in the same method as above.
The Recipe
Honey
Cinnamon sugar (equal parts cinnamon and sugar)
2 ounces apple juice
1 ounce lemon juice
2 ounces Fre Chardonnay, Alcohol-Removed Wine
Vanilla simple syrup*
Apple slices
Cinnamon sticks
Vanilla Simple Syrup
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
For vanilla simple syrup: Add water and sugar to a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and add vanilla bean. Let steep for several hours. Strain into a jar or bottle. Will keep, tightly sealed and refrigerated, for up to one month.
For mocktail: Rim a glass with honey and then dip in cinnamon sugar. Set it aside. In a shaker with ice add apple juice, lemon juice, Fre Chardonnay and simple syrup. Shake well. Fill rimmed glass with ice and strain mixture into it. Garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks.
Alcoholic Version
Replace the 2 ounces of Fre Chardonnay with 2 ounces of Octopoda Russian River Chardonnay. Prepare in the same method as above.
The Recipe
1 ½ ounces Ritual Zero Proof Gin Alternative
1 ounce lime juice
¾ ounce cranberry juice
½ ounce simple syrup
Fresh rosemary sprig
In a shaker with ice, add gin alternative, lime juice, cranberry juice and simple syrup. Shake well. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig.
Alcoholic Version
Replace the 1 ½ ounces of Ritual Zero Proof Gin Alternative with 1 ½ ounces of Balfour Street Gin. Prepare in the same method as above.
