New nonalcoholic favorites found around town.
While the month of October is typically known for costumes, candy and pumpkin spiced everything, giving up alcohol has become a trend worldwide. Sober October originated in Australia in 2010, dubbed “Soctober,” and then became more recognized when the UK introduced the Sober October Challenge in 2017 to raise money for cancer research.
When you’re sober, and cheers-ing with just a glass of water doesn’t feel quite right, luckily there are mocktails. Local, Kampai, and Calico each have mocktails on their menu that will quench the excitement for that cheers-worthy cocktail you’ve been craving.
Local’s cocktail list’s current theme is a play on the cult classic Office Space, and their NA offerings, Million Dollar Question, and Piece of Flair, will solve any case of the Mondays. Both are crisp, a little sweet, and beautifully presented to ensure you don’t feel left out when ponied up to the bar.
On the westbank, Calico’s infamous spicy margarita has a NA spin. They simply omit the tequila and serve their house-made marg mix infused with strawberry, pineapple and jalapeno as is. We suggest ordering it in a pint glass and adding a splash of soda water to add some bubbles and smooth out the sweetness.
Kampai’s “almost cocktails’’ menu boasts four NA choices: the Hikaru Punch, Green with Envy, Tokyo Tepache and the Watermelon Cooler. Taylor Knarr, Kampai’s mixologist (in this case mock-tologist) shared this recipe for her personal favorite: the Hikaru Punch.
Eat, Drink, and be hangover free!
Ingredients
- 2 cups lemon juice
- 2 cups lychee juice
- 2 cups orange juice
- 2 cups chai tea
- 2 star anise
- 4 black peppercorns
- 4 large lemon peels
- ¼ cup cinnamon simple syrup (high quality maple syrup could be used as a replacement but will alter the overall flavor.)
- ½ cup cold milk
- NA Seedlip Gin or your choice of NA spirit
- Orange wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients, except the milk, in a stock pot, heat to a boil. Then remove from heat, and cool for one hour.
- Once cool add the milk. The mixture will curdle (don’t freak, all is good in the sober hood!), and then strain the mixture. After straining you will have a mostly clear liquid that has a soft texture and seasonal taste. Add one ounce of NA Seedlip Gin for balance per mocktail and serve over ice with an orange wedge.
