The holidays are approaching and that means parties, potlucks, and sometimes uncomfortable gatherings with family. I tend to drink a little more during the holidays because of the added social stress, and I don’t think I’m alone. But what do you do when you’re trying to cut back on the booze and traditional mocktails make you cringe?
Self-described as “craft cocktails without booze,” Hudson Valley cocktailier Curious Elixirs offers four unique mocktails. I was skeptical at first. Mocktails have a bad rep and rightfully so. Full of sugar and empty calories, they usually only consist of boring mixers minus the booze. While it’s perfectly acceptable to have a soda or juice if you want to skip the alcohol, I tend to want something more exciting to indulge in.
After tasting the handcrafted elixirs, I’m convinced I no longer have to give up taste on the days I want to cut out the booze. They’re actually really delicious. Each elixir is reminiscent of a familiar cocktail—like the Negroni, Aperol Spritz, or a spicy Margarita. Mocktails aren’t generally healthy, but Curious Elixirs are healthier, boosting natural ingredients, botanicals, root extracts, spices and organic juices. There’s also no added sugar, which means the only sugar you’re consuming is the natural sugar from fruit.
Curious Elixirs collaborated with real bartenders, food scientists, and herbalists to create these unique mocktails. And each elixir comes in a sexy bottle and has a suggested garnish. My personal favorite, Curious Elixir No. 3 has Angelica fruit extract, cucumber concentrate, organic white grape juice concentrate, organic juniper berry extract and cucumber as its suggested garnish. I can slam down two or three, all without the hangover I’d have after indulging in three gin cocktails. I plan on stocking up on these delicious beverages for the holidays, and even after!
