One thing we’ve learned of late is that it’s generally not the alcohol that makes a cocktail special; it’s the experience of enjoying a flavorful sipper with people who make you happy. Next comes the aha! moment of adopting mindful drinking. It gives you permission to embrace JOMO (joy of missing out). It’s saying yes to zero-alcohol cocktails without feeling like you’re missing out. It’s about dropping the name mocktail because there’s nothing mock about the experience.

Cocktails sans spirits are becoming the life of the party as people prioritize health, wellness and conscious living. Surprisingly, studies show that people who drink boozy cocktails are driving the growth of zero-alcohol drinks. They’re ordering an Old Fashioned but following it up with a zero-alcohol cocktail to extend the fun over the whole evening without getting tipsy. Or they’re opting to forgo traditional cocktails this evening. It’s all about options.

You might encounter establishments whose zero-alcohol drink menu simply consists of juice or sparkling water. But the more often people request zero-alcohol options, the more often those will appear on menus. In the meantime, try these delicious zero-alcohol cocktails. You won’t miss the alcohol at all. Really.

Blackberry Whisper

Recipe courtesy of the Rendition Room in Studio City.

Photo by Charly Shelton/Red Disk Photography.

In a well-made cocktail, the alcohol shouldn’t be the most prominent flavor, says Jon Eudowe, who developed this zero-alcohol cocktail. “It’s the ingredients that really make a drink great, and that, in turn, makes it easy to make it a mocktail because you still get all the great flavors, just without the alcohol.” After making the cocktail, Eudowe says to “put on a Duke Ellington album and get ready to enjoy a delicious drink that won’t get you raided by the FBI.”

Check out this recipe

Mockingbird

By Frank Canizales, general manager of the Inkwell Tavern in Burbank.

“As with any drink, you want to surprise with that first sip and reward with every sip after that,” says Frank Canizales, general manager of the Inkwell Tavern in Burbank. “A great mocktail requires just as much, if not more, craftsmanship than a regular cocktail,” he says, adding that he thinks zero-alcohol cocktails should be a staple at all venues.

Check out this recipe

High Society

The bartending team in the Tap Room of The Langham Huntington in Pasadena created this zero-alcohol cocktail “to ensure all guests, whether imbibing or not, experience the gorgeous, rich and thirst-quenching taste of Pasadena.”

Check out this recipe

TIPS FOR UN-TIPSY COCKTAILS

You can convert any cocktail to a zero-alcohol one simply by leaving out the alcohol—but that’s like converting a chocolate-chip cookie into a chocolate-chipless cookie. It’s not nearly as good as the original. And it’s a missed opportunity to make something better, not worse. To create your own zero-alcohol cocktail that doesn’t skimp on flavor, follow these tips. Practice ahead of time and you’ll wow your guests at your next holiday gathering or any other time.

1. Go for Garnishes A citrus peel, a scattering of fruit or fresh herbs, even a corny paper umbrella floating atop a cocktail adds a touch of class.
2. Be in Balance All flavors— sweet, sour, bitter and salty— should meld without any one sticking out.
3. Fresh Is Best Choose fresh fruit juice and herbs for the brightest flavor.
4. Add Sparkle Plain or flavored fizzy water can add celebratory bubbles and volume to your concoction.
5. Simply Add Syrups Infuse your homemade simple syrups with herbs and spices to pump up the flavor and complexity of the cocktail. Experiment with citrus peels, hot peppers or herbs like mint, thyme or basil.
6. Use Ice Make ice that will add to the drink’s appeal by freezing herbs or edible flowers in the water in an ice cube tray. Or make the cubes with juice so the drink doesn’t get watered down as the cubes melt.

IF YOU WANT TO EMBRACE MINDFUL DRINKING, FOLLOW THESE TIPS:

Be Aware: Think about why you want to drink. Is it to wind down after a stressful day or because everyone else at the table is drinking?

Be Purposeful: If you’re going to imbibe, decide ahead of time and identify a reason. Is it to celebrate the holidays? Toast a friend on some good news?

Be Moderate: As Aristotle said: “Everything in moderation.” Choose flavor over fluid ounces.

Be Present: Use all your senses to enjoy the drink. Savor it. Sip it.