Rise of the Mocktail

How to get your kicks minus the booze.

Mocktails seem like such a modern creation. Even the word, a portmanteau of mock cocktails, feels wonderfully 80’s. But it may surprise you to hear, the first mention of the word “mocktail” appeared in 1916.

Of course non-alcoholic mixed drinks had been around well before then, humans have been tinkering with flavour since the dawn of time. “Temperance drinks” were even included in the infamous 1862 Bar-Tenders Guide by Jerry Thomas, which despite their less flashy name, were the same thing.

It would be logical to assume that Zero-proof drinks would come into their own during the prohibition. But despite the ban on the production and sale of alcohol, the mocktail stayed firmly in the shadows of its boozy counterpart.

However in the 1930’s when spirits were legally back on the menu, one of the most famous mocktails was created: The Shirley Temple - the perfect example of a virgin cocktail.

It was similar in style to the cocktails being created at the same time. Simple, affordable and tasty and despite Ms Temple’s supposed distain for the drink, it set the stage for those which followed.

From there, mocktails continued to evolve alongside cocktails, as trends and preferences changed. The 80’s were the perfect time for a booze-free boom, drinks were bright and sugary and oh so easy to make tee-total.

In the early 2000’s when cocktails were suave and sophisticated, their alcohol-free equivalent strived to be the same.

And what now, how does the mocktail fare in the current climate?

The monumental rise of health and wellness culture combined with consumer interest in what they are drinking and a wealth of new products, has pushed the virgin cocktail to new heights.

With one in three UK drinkers regularly consuming no & lo options and a quarter of the UK population abstaining completely, mocktails are an important part of any drinks menu.

So put down that whisky and give zero-proof a go…

Sober Swizzle

20ml Falernum

20ml lime juice

50ml Caleño

Build in a hi-ball of cubed ice and top with ginger ale. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a lime wheel.

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Buds & Blossoms

20ml Disco Grenadine

20ml lemon juice

100ml pineapple juice

Shake and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with frozen berries.