At 6 months pregnant in 2015, I stopped by a friend’s just-opened bar and asked for something to drink. With a baby on board, this request was not as simple as it seemed. Or was it? Mocktails can be fraught with issues. Many bartenders or the bars they work at are not prepared for the non-alcoholic cocktail order with guests receiving everything from a sugary, artificially flavored fruit juice concoction to an overly-citrus driven acid bomb. There had been some enjoyable sips in between, but for the most part I did not find the balance and care I have come to expect when making a cocktail and drinking a cocktail. Perhaps part of the reason is that focus is not typically on the non-drinker. And as a bartender, I understand that. Or maybe I should say that I did understand that. Being off alcohol made me realize that making any type of guest an afterthought isn’t very on par with the tenets of hospitality.
Fruitations Cranberry – The Magic in the Glass
The mocktail I received that day was literally a revelation. At least 3 months out from being able to enjoy a cocktail, I wouldn’t be going back to my old ways of thinking about alcohol-free cocktails. Turns out the magic that was in my glass was Fruitations Cranberry. My bartender mind started racing through all the possibilities for this product. Not to mention that while many bars and restaurants use fresh ingredients these days, cranberry flavored juice remains one of the things that is bought bottled and artificially flavored. I immediately asked to see the bottle. Unsurprisingly the incredibly fresh, intense and full flavor of Fruitations was achieved simply by using just local fruit, pure cane and water. And that’s how to make a memorable mocktail, using simple ingredients with taste, quality and authenticity. Just add Fruitations. Cheers!
Equinox Cooler
A fantastic and well balanced autumnal alcohol-free drink that can be modified to a delicious bourbon cocktail.
1½ ounce Fruitations Cranberry
½ ounces Cinnamon Infused FruitationsTangerine
¾ ounce lemon juice
3 sage leaves
Place all ingredients in tin, add ice. Shake until well incorporated. Double strain with a Hawthorne strainer and tea strainer (to keep sage pieces out of the glass) into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Top with splash of soda water. Garnish with a sage leaf.
For a boozy version add 1.5 ounces bourbon.
Brands I recommend for this drink
Bourbon: Old Grandad or Evan Williams