Zero-proof cocktails and topics had a strong presence at this year’s Tales of the Cocktail held in New Orleans this past July. Some of the alcohol-free products we have tasted and recommend include Aplós, Amethyst Non-Alcohol Spirits, Ritual Zero-Proof and Seedlip. There are many more alcohol-free products, and it is clearly a category gaining ground. We look forward to tasting more and to mixing our own home-made versions.
Why people choose not to consume alcohol is their personal decision, whether it is for a short period of time or it is a lifelong commitment. There are many reasons and no need for anyone to feel they to explain them. Making sure there are better options at bars and restaurants for people who abstain is an industry responsibility. We equate it to offering menu options for customers who have dietary restrictions.
Enter Hilary Sheinbaum, a journalist and founder of GoingDry.co. Sheinbaum has been sober-curious since 2017 and is author of books on this topic including the recently released Going Dry: A Workbook: A Practical Guide to Drinking Less and Living More (Quarto). She advises restaurants and bars on how to create alcohol-free menu offerings, and her services are in demand these days due to growing interest.
Hilary Sheinbaum, Founder, Goingdry.co
At the Tales of the Cocktail seminar “Zero to Hero: Effective Strategies for Curating Non-Alcoholic Menus in Today’s Bar Scene” presented by Topo Chico, Sheinbaum and fellow panelists underscored that menu terms like “virgin” and “mocktail” need to be replaced with “no-alcohol”, “alcohol-free” and zero-proof.” They discussed how to create a balanced zero-proof cocktail that delivers a palate-satisfying experience without the alcohol. It starts with understanding how to create umami through a roster of ingredients that add tannin (e.g. teas), texture (e.g. coconut water and coconut cream) and taste (e.g. herbs, spices, real fruit). It’s about balancing savory and sweet (less sugar for us, please). Really, it’s no different than crafting the perfect cocktail, just without alcohol.
Sheinbaum has appeared in many national news articles and broadcast segments, a testament to the growing interest in alcohol-free options. In fact, The New York Times referred to her as ‘the Dry January M.V.P.” Now, with her newly released book and as the holidays approach, we are sure you will seeing and hearing more from Hilary Sheinbaum.
Listen to our conversation with Hilary Sheinbaum on The Connected Table Live.
Other books by Hilary Sheinbaum
