In the-not so-distant past, those who chose to not drink alcohol were made to feel less than in social settings. The subtle, though unintentional, snub felt a bit like being put at the children’s table. Hot Foxy and Dotted Line mocktails on Thursday, Nov.
21, 2024, at 905 S. Broad St. in Winston-Salem, N.
C. Non-drinkers had the choice of soda, tea or water. Period.
Thankfully, those days are no more. Enter the non-alcoholic (NA) beverage. Bartenders and industry experts agree that a shift occurred in the cocktail world in 2020 with many deciding to give up alcohol (after consumption initially spiked during COVID).
The reasons vary, but consensus points to the desire to avoid a hangover and for general well-being. The mocktail momentum continues with the rise of NA beverages being featured at most establishments. The increasing variety and volume of zero-proof and alcohol-free drinks have made it easier than ever to have a night out at a bar with a flirty, fun drink in hand, and one that actually tastes good.
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David Bowen, co-owner of easytalk, prepares an alcohol-free Mimosa mini bar on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at 905 S. Broad St.
in Winston-Salem, N.C. The alcohol-free mimosa mini bar comes with a bottle of sparkling cider and three mixers.
The trend is not lost on David Bowen, co-owner of easytalk and Ginger Fox Beverage. Mayfair Hospitality mixologist Chris Smith displays some of the mocktails he's created for ROAR, Millers on Trade, and Sir Win.
