January 1, 2025

Mock Me, I Dare You

Up until recent years, if someone would mosey up to the bar and ask if there were any special mocktails featured on the menu, they would be probably be greeted with either major side eye, scrunched up faces or a pitiful expression that boldly reads: “Ahhh, poor guy.”

Typically a bar patron that was not imbibing would probably just opt for a club soda with lemon or lime, stick with an ice water or just get a soft drink. 

But not these days. And isn’t that great. 

No longer do people have to settle for those usual suspects or quietly ask the bartender for a Shirley Temple (ginger ale/lemon-lime soda with grenadine and a maraschino cherry) or a Roy Rogers (cola and grenadine also with a maraschino cherry) as if they lived through the Great Depression. 

Depressing is not a word typically associated with this new generation of mocktails. Today’s Mocktails are often made with high-quality ingredients such as botanicals, herbs, and spices, and can take longer to make by talented mixologists. That way, customers still feel like they’re getting the cocktail experience. And with the help of modern zero-proof gins, tequilas, whiskeys and ready-to-drink mixed beverages, both non-drinkers and drinkers can have access to a similar experience of their alcoholic counterparts just with none of the alcohol. 

 

“Move over Shirley temple and roy rogers. meet the mockers”

 

subscribe to the free digital flip version of dion for more zero-proof options.

 

And it’s easy to replicate at home too. You’d just gather everything you need to make your favorite cocktail and substitute it with a quality zero-proof or non-alcoholic option you would find at Boisson — which has moved its operations solely online nationwide — or a wine shop, grocery or drug store that has begun to stock these types of alcohol alternatives. 

However, it’s not all rose petals and olive juice for some people. With everything that pushes against society norms or challenges that status quo, many cocktail, wine and beer enthusiasts will state their case on why they feel that it’s not “really that close” of an experience. 

Yes, it happens. Everyone is different and you can’t please everyone. People like what they like. But if you are interested in exploring these options this month or any other time of the year, DION takes a look at some of the top go-to alternatives consumers opt for when they have a hankering for a mocktail. 

SUBSCRIBE to the free Digital Flip version of DION to Meet the Mockers: next generation non-alcoholic and zero-proof drink options.

 

 

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Charles Springfield is a certified sommelier, wine educator and book author in New York City. His mission is to help promote wine appreciation through education in the form of classes, events and various forms of media. He has been working in wine in NYC for the last 15 years. His first book, “The Less is More Approach to Wine,” works to deliver wine education in easy to understand and manageable servings. He wants to help wine lovers create a deeper, more personal relationship with wine. In the summer of 2020, Charles released a new book called “Maneuvering Rosé Wine With Style” focused on educating consumers about the rosé wine category and rosé styles from around the world. In January 2025, Charles became publisher and editor-in-chief of DION, a digital wine/lifestyle monthly magazine, centering stories on the Black community and marginalized cousin-communities. For more info, visit @thewinestylings and @dionwinelifemagazine on Instagram or at www.charlesspringfield.com.

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