as Non-alcoholic spirits category There is also growing interest in the art of cocktails that do not contain alcohol. While some bartenders find freedom in building completely stripped-down, non-alcoholic recipes from familiar templates, others… negronias an exciting challenge.
Producing these zero-proof drinks is as simple as swapping out spirits for spirit-free alternatives. But in some cases, the cost, taste, and texture of non-alcoholic analogs make it difficult to mix, and some bartenders decide to make their own instead. There are other purposes as well. For example, to match the mouthfeel of alcoholic beverages, or to achieve the bitter “bite” that some spirits provide.
Your Dry January drinking plan includes making a custom amaro or throwing together a quick spritz. We’ve put together 12 classic alcohol-free recipes with bartender support.
Just like the origin story of Negroni Sbariato, This non-alcoholic negroni It was born when bartender Liane Fabre accidentally picked up a bottle of Wilfred’s non-alcoholic aperitif instead of a gin replacement with the same label. The resulting drink was our favorite Tasting of 10 non-alcoholic Negronisis loved for its freshness and bitter taste. Tasting judge Tom Macy said: “The bitterness keeps you coming back for another sip, rather than wanting to take another sip.”
At San Francisco’s Chezchez, a guifart aperitif syrup made with bitter orange and gentian root provides a Campari-like base, paired with N/A sparkling wine and bitter lemon tonic water. A spin on the Negroni Sbariato.
It can be difficult to recreate the texture of traditional spirit-forward cocktails, but heavy sweeteners can help you achieve the desired mouthfeel. At Barbuto in New York, Not applicable It uses maple syrup, which blends well with the bourbon base and gives the resulting cocktail a satisfying texture.
Nariat
A spirit-free Svariato based on Giffard aperitif syrup.

neon moon
This non-alcoholic fizz is made with Seedlip Spice 94.
The spirits-free menu at The Swan Room in New York’s Nine Orchards has recently expanded to include new takes on classic non-alcoholic drinks like the Svariato and Amaretto Sour, as well as completely original drinks. This list includes: champagne cocktailtransformed into sugar cubes infused with non-alcoholic sparkling wine and orange flower water, conveying the same visual appeal as the festive original.
Alex Jump, formerly of Death & Co. Denver, pays close attention to the texture of her N/A recipes. neon moona zero-proof take on Fizz. Kefir whey and egg whites add body to the cocktail, while a bright syrup of makrut lime leaves, lemongrass and perilla keep the drink light and refreshing in typical fizz style.
At Garden Bar PHX, Kim Hersald has created an Averna-inspired “Amaro” from ingredients like chicory, gentian root, and Mexican cola. Along with cold brew coffee and Demerara syrup, it serves as the base for your bar. Zero proof espresso martini. The bar also makes Nopari, a Campari alternative used in aperitif-style drinks.

expresso martini
An espresso martini featuring Noverna, a homemade amaro substitute.
Hop water is becoming an increasingly popular ingredient in N/A cocktails, as it can be a natural substitute for beer-based drinks. in hop cotton micheladaJohn DeBary combines this non-alcoholic ingredient with Poi Dog Chili Pepper Water, a Hawaiian-style seasoning made from vinegar, pepper, and ginger to give it the spicy, tangy flavor you need. I’m doing it.
Seedlip Garden 108 is an herbal non-alcoholic spirit that is commonly used as an alternative to gin. south side riff At Meydan, Washington, DC Homemade fresh mint syrup marries botanical spirits and bright fresh lime juice to maintain the key flavor profile of the Shake Classic.
Shrubs and vinegar are often used in non-alcoholic recipes to add richness and acidity. in queen garden swizzleLydia McCluen of Portland, Oregon, uses umeboshi vinegar to add a refreshing touch to this tropical setting, along with a seedlip garden and chilled mint tea.

non-alcoholic sour
Habanero tincture is the key to giving this non-alcoholic beverage its unique “burn.”

hop water paloma
A non-alcoholic version of classic tequila made with hop water.

lychee daiquiri
A non-alcoholic rum drink made with pantry ingredients.
To recreate the astringent “sip” of alcoholic spirits, Barbuto bar manager John Dillon incorporates Scrappy’s Bitters Firewater, a habanero chili tincture, into cocktails like his. N/A Whiskey Sour. The addition of egg whites gives the drink a rich texture, while brown sugar simple syrup gives it a roundness and amplifies the flavor profile of Kentucky 74, a bourbon alternative.
Another cocktail using hop water, This is not applicable Paloma The ingredient and its piney, citrusy hops are combined with black pepper and grapefruit oleosaccharum. Red pepper juice is also added to this drink to mimic the vegetable and earthy flavors of tequila.
At Thunderbolt in Los Angeles, non-alcoholic lychee daiquiri “This is one of the easiest and least-prep cocktails we make,” says bar owner Mike Capoferri. calling rum extractUsing common baking ingredients in place of spirits and adding a can of lychees (a blend of fruit, syrup and all) for texture, the daiquiri is complex and refreshing.