Make Mine Zero
Remove the Booze, Keep the Fun
Whether you are dialing back after a raucous holiday, a heavy pour pandemic, or simply being more mindful of your health, there are many good reasons and ways to reduce or cut alcohol entirely. It may seem like all the fun takes a back seat once you’re not drinking, but that’s not the case! Many of your favorite establishments provide several low or zero alcohol options on the drink list and oftentimes your bartender can create something tailored to your situation. At home, we can experiment and play around with all sorts of recipes to create a drink containing your favorite elements.
Most of us know about non-alcoholic (NA) beer, but cocktail culture’s popularity has engendered a wide selection of zero proof distilled “spirits,” including gin, bourbon, and other traditionally alcoholic mixers. Zero proof spirit brands include Damrak, DHOS, Seedlip, Lyre’s, and Ritual. Locally, you can find some of these spirits and mixers at larger liquor stores such as Freeman’s and Byron’s in OKC and The Spirit Shop and Cellar Wine & Spirits in Norman. While these spirits generally taste like their alcoholic counterparts, the process differs slightly. Zero proof gin, for instance, follows a two step process: first, the botanicals flavoring the spirit are distilled into an alcoholic beverage. Second, the spirit is distilled again and the alcohol is removed.
Zero proof cocktails can be presented as a riff on a classic, a familiar drink in disguise, or something completely new. When building a zero proof cocktail, the foundations of what makes a good drink still apply: balancing sweetness and acidity while elevating the components of the cocktail. Since the alcohol isn’t the focus for a zero proof drink, this challenge is met by using syrups, shrubs, fruit juices, and emulsions. Pro tip: pretty much everyone loves bubbles. The fizzy sensation leaves you feeling satisfied with your special drink.
If you’re making zero proof drinks for your guests, be sure to ask for their likes and dislikes. Taking the time and effort to create something completely catered to your guests will deepen the bond of hospitality.
Cheers!
