image by: Anil Sharma on Unsplash

HWN Suggests

It’s OK to Say “Mocktail”

It’s time we stopped trying to cancel the word “mocktail.” If you do a quick web search for “is it OK to say ‘mocktail’?” the internet will give you a resounding, unequivocal answer: no. This is not a new battle; you can find entire New York Times articles dating back to 2016 dedicated to the troubling nature of this word. To summarize the critiques: The word “mocktail” contains the word “mock,” which has a myriad of negative connotations. It implies mockery; a fake that only adds to the stigma faced by people who—for whatever reason—have decided to remove alcohol from their drinks. In a certain sense, these arguments are compelling. The word “mock” is derived from French and has connotations…

read full article

Featured

 Fake drinks that don't taste fake: The rise of the mocktail

Alcohol isn't just something to drink. It's a social experience that's deeply fermented into the culture. Think James Bond and his shaken, not stirred martini, along with countless songs about booze, good times and regrets. Some people, however, don't like alcohol. Some worry after reading the latest study on the health effects of drinking. Some are just trying to cut back and may feel left out when friends and family gather for drinks. That's why mocktails, alcohol-free mixed drinks, are becoming increasingly popular.

 Mocktails have some surprising health benefits—even for drinkers

As mocktails and other nonalcoholic beverages increase in popularity, experts are investigating their role in helping people reduce their alcohol consumption.

 The experts: bartenders on how to turn 16 classic cocktails into mocktails – from a negroni to a mojito

Giving up booze doesn’t have to mean missing out, especially if you get creative with fruit, herbs and infusions. Here is how to enjoy all your favourite drinks without the hangover

 Why Choosing a Mocktail or Non-Alcoholic Beer Could Improve Health

At one time, the world of non-alcoholic drinks was limited to a few dusty old cans of O’Doul’s sitting in the back fridge of your local bar. But more recently, the genre has exploded. Craft beer companies are bending the basic tenets of chemistry in an effort to make non-alcoholic IPAs, stouts, and other styles that more closely resemble their boozy cousins. And restaurants are crafting mocktails that focus on flavor specifically tailored to a lack of alcohol. All of this comes at a time when young people are seemingly drinking less than young people did in previous generations, according to Gallup polls.

Articles of Interest

What is a Mocktail? The Non-Alcoholic Trend Shaking Up What We Sip On

What is a mocktail, you ask? If you haven’t experienced the allure (and deliciousness) of an inventive non-alcoholic beverage yet, you’re not too late. In this blog, we’ll break down what a mocktail is and why these spiritless drinks are on trend right now. And of course, we’re providing several innovative mocktail recipes we encourage you to try at home. Trust us - when you’re done reading this, you’ll replace “what is a mocktail?” with “where is my mocktail?” Cheers!

A Mixologist's Guide To 'No-Proof' Cocktails

The alcohol-free cocktail isn't an oxymoron. "Mocktails," as the boozeless concoctions have been called by some, are getting more popular — not just among millennials, who are drinking less than their parents, but among people seeking healthier lifestyles, pregnant women and people who simply don't feel like having alcohol.

Does The The ‘Sleepy Girl Mocktail’ Really Offer Better Beauty Sleep?

TikTok’s favourite sleep inducing bedside beverage.

Enough With the Seltzer: The Booze-Free Cocktail Has Arrived

The booze-free cocktail movement seems to be following the evolution of craft cocktails.

Healthy Mocktail Recipes So Good You Won't Even Miss the Alcohol

Your non-hungover self will thank you for ditching the liquor and making these best mocktail recipes instead.

Here's everything you need to know to make the perfect summer mocktail

Opting for a mocktail with ingredients you enjoy can be a refreshing alternative to an alcoholic drink on a long night out, a summer afternoon or whenever you feel like it. Alcohol primarily affects the liver but still creates a domino effect on the rest of the body, including the heart, brain and kidneys, says MU medical pharmacology and physiology professor Dr. Shivendra Shukla, who studies alcohol consumption.

Mocktail Is a Dirty Word

Oh hello, did my salty little title about mocktails make you click this link? Good, buckle up. I said what I said, and I stand by it: I do not like the word “mocktail” and I am not alone in this sentiment. That being said, I have a deep rooted respect for the category itself, don’t get it twisted; I hold a severe dislike for the word. Let’s break it down: mocktail sounds like it is actively infantilizing. It’s trying to be something it isn’t, it’s a fake, a fraud, a glaring grenadine sign signaling a sugar rush. A giggle attached to an order with the word “virgin” put in front of the name, teehee. It’s pedantic and pandering and Urban Dictionary agrees via their definition of mocktail. “A non-alcoholic kids’ beverage made to look and taste like a cocktail and marketed specifically to children.” I’m not even going to begin to unpack the last half of their definition, but I digress.

Mocktails - Alcohol Free, but Does That Make Them Healthy?

If you've recently browsed the aisles of a grocery store or the menu at a restaurant or bar, you've probably noticed a distinct uptick in non-alcoholic options, such as 0% beer and mocktails. Beverage companies and your favorite local bar aren't just doing this out of the goodness of their hearts. The so-called "sober curious" business is booming.

Mocktails Come of Age

What's missing from these cocktails? Only the hangover. They're alcohol-free, but these drinks are so satisfying and sophisticated, you'll never miss the booze

Mocktails for Expectant Moms and Hangover-Free Holidays

Going beyond the usual soft drinks, some bars and restaurants are starting to get creative with their nonalcoholic beverages.

Turns out the viral ‘Sleepy Girl Mocktail’ is backed by science. Should you try it?

Many of us wish we could get a better night’s sleep. Wouldn’t it be great if it was as easy as a mocktail before bed? That’s what the latest viral trend might have us believe. The “Sleepy Girl Mocktail” is a mix of tart cherry juice, powdered magnesium supplement and soda water. TikTok videos featuring the concoction have garnered hundreds of thousands of views. But, what does the science say? Do these ingredients actually help us sleep?

We Need To Stop Calling Alcohol-Free Beverages 'Mocktails'

Ideally, I would prefer a world where mocktails and non-alcoholic beverages are considered two separate things. But if forbidding people to use "mocktail" to describe a non-alcoholic beverage actually discourages restaurants from listing them on menus, then it's not a cause I support. Whether you call them mocktails (as demeaning as it is) or alcohol-free beverages, it's clear that we need more of them on menus everywhere — from sports bars to fine dining establishments. Imagine how much more inclusive it would be if restaurants offered diners more diverse beverage options for meals rather than only a wine pairing or beer flight.

You’ll Never Miss the Booze: The New Non-Alcoholic Cocktails

Now a fixture of fine dining, alcohol-free mocktails may well be the most interesting option on the drinks menu these days. Pair them with a multicourse restaurant meal, or mix them at home with these nine refreshing recipes

Resources

30 Refreshing Mocktail Recipes That Make Skipping Booze Easy

These cold drinks are so delicious, no one will mind that they’re alcohol-free.