As we head into the holiday season, many of us are thinking about how to enjoy the festivities while staying healthy and mindful.
One sobering statistic in the Delta Police Department’s latest annual report shows that 600 impaired drivers were taken off Delta roads in 2023.
In case we were under the impression that everyone has got the message to plan for a safe ride home, the evidence is that we still have a significant community safety issue.
But there’s one trend worth celebrating that’s making a splash in the beverage world: zero-proof cocktails and non-alcohol beer and wine.
Local restaurants are taking note, event hosts are incorporating these creative, booze-free options into their drink menus and retail stores are stocking up on some very tasty choices. Often, when my friend group meets for dinner, no one orders a glass of wine anymore, so we choose locations that can make a healthier night out still feel special.
Done well, zero-proof cocktails (also known as mocktails) are carefully crafted to deliver all the flavor and complexity of a traditional cocktail without the alcohol.
Instead of reaching for gin or whiskey, bartenders are using a variety of zero-proof spirits, botanical infusions, and fresh ingredients to create flavorful concoctions that still feel festive and sophisticated. Ingredients like non-alcoholic gin or rum alternatives, herbal teas, spices, and citrus are being used to craft drinks that can satisfy even the most discerning palate.
In addition to being grateful for something beyond pop or a Shirley Temple when we’re out for an evening, a big “cheers” to event hosts who are getting creative and offering handmade zero-proof cocktails and other no-alcohol options at holiday festivities, weddings, and parties. It’s an inclusive way to cater to guests who may want to opt out of alcohol for a night while still being part of the fun.
