The Zero Proof 2022 Holiday Gift Guide (Part 2)
In case you missed it, find part 1 of The Zero Proof 2022 Holiday Gift Guide here.
Here's Part 2!
For the Traditionalist
Drinks: Bourbon old-fashioneds, Manhattans, Gimlets and Martinis (gin only)
They like familiarity over novelty, simplicity over complexity. They may not be adventurous, but they know what’s good.
If they are a bourbon on the rocks drinker, Spiritless Kentucky 74 is going to be the closest zero proof option for a sippable bourbon. Add some All the Bitter Aromatic Bitters and Liber & Co. Classic Gum Syrup for an old-fashioned kit (just add ice and an orange peel).
If they're more the gin type, a bottle of ISH London Botanical Non-Alcoholic Gin and a 4-pack of fancy Fever-Tree Indian Tonic water from your local grocery store will give them a perfect, juniper forward G&T. For martini drinkers, give them this Maison Balzac martini glass with a hand-blown, permanent olive at the bottom. Who says traditional means humorless?
Nothing says timeless like a classic submariner sweater in creamy merino wool. The fitted line of this luxuriously cozy version from Paul James Knitwear works for all genders.
For the Tiki Enthusiast
Drinks: Something with 3 different types of rum in it
They know how to make a Mai Tai by heart. They’ve probably been to Trader Vic’s multiple times, even if they live on the other side of the country. You might have to remind them not to wear a short sleeved button down with palm trees on it to a funeral.
Tiki relies on blending a number of different rums in almost every drink. Rock their world with a set of 2 or 3 (or all) of our non-alcoholic rums and let them blend to their heart’s content? Throw in some Liber & Co. Fiery Ginger and Tropical Passion Fruit syrups and they'll have everything they need for escapist cocktails.
For their tree, get them some hand-blown glass ornaments by Shag, the reigning contemporary artist of tiki aesthetics (and try not to keep the cute blowfish for yourself).
For the Wine Parents
Drinks: Every night
You know the ones. They drink a bottle of Chardonnay every night out of stress. Their kids are their life, but their nervous system could use a break (and maybe a break from alcohol).
Introduce them to some non-alcoholic wine with one of our specially curated wine bundles. Splurge on a 6-pack of the limited edition Oddbird Organic, Low Intervention White No. 2, a great drink-on-its-own non-alcoholic wine. Maybe throw in a bottle of Aplós, a non-alcoholic spirit with hemp extract and soothing botanicals, or some Three Spirit Nightcap with valerian root and other herbs to help you sleep.
For some extra strength chill power, Rose Los Angeles's CBD Delights are not only effective but delicious, in gourmet flavors developed by top tier chefs like Poached Pear II by Enrique Olvera and White Rock Ranch Meyer Lemon by Andy Baraghani.
For your parents
Drinks: Mostly with dinner these days
You can never go wrong with a bottle of bubbly. Buy them some Oddbird Blanc de Blancs or Château del ISH White Sparkling.
For the Budding Mixologist
Drinks: Hemingway daiquiris, Mint Juleps, whatever is next in their new cocktail book
If they've just started to get into crafting cocktails, our limited edition Classic Cocktail Gift Bundle will give them everything they need to get started translating those recipes to non-alcoholic versions.
One of our favorite gifts for those just getting into non-alcoholic cocktails (or old-hands looking for inspiration) is Julia Bainbridge's Good Drinks. Subtitled Alcohol-Free Recipes for When You're Not Drinking for Whatever Reason, the book is a treasure chest of recipes from some of the country's best bartenders.
For the Advanced Mixologist
Drinks: Whatever the current "bartender's handshake" is
They know their way around an infusion, make their own flavored syrups, and have at least tried making their own bitters. Even with all their expertise, they may not be familiar with non-alcoholic spirits. This is your chance to introduce them to something for a change!
The Zero Proof Holiday Spirit Collection is great for these people. If they a collection of non-alc base spirits already this will round out their bar. If not, this collection of premium non-alcoholic spirits with seasonal flavors will show them what they've been missing!
For those who already have a well stocked bar, the Acid League Ultimate Cocktail Kit is like a chemistry set of unusual and complex mixers, syrups, shrubs, bitters, and cocktail accoutrements that will delight any behind-the-bar mad scientist.
A roundup of our favorite non-alcoholic gins—for seekers of the botanical, crisp, zesty spirit in its zero proof form.
Interviews
Michelin awarded sommelier Miguel de Leon is the non-alc superhero we deserve →The wine director of Pinch Chinese on his collaboration with Proxies, crafting New York’s best non-alcoholic beverage menu, and his personal super power.
Five non-alcoholic versions of the classics you can make with our Build-a-Bar bundle—no extra ingredients required.
A bitter riff on the traditional whiskey cocktail, this one with The Pathfinder is for those who want something a little darker—and non-alcoholic.
Berries, pineapple, and citrus options to please every palate.
Using balsamic vinegar instead of booze to create a refreshing non-alcoholic Pimm's Cup cocktail.
A classic non-alcoholic Old Fashioned recipe, with a few backup options if you're running low on time.
A clean, refreshing non-alcoholic mojito recipe.
Headed to the Derby? Spiritless's Abbey Ferguson tells us where to drink the best non-alcoholic options in bourbon country.
Whatever your "New Year, New You" goals, switching to non-alcoholic can help you attain them.
No, that’s not a typo. The less restrictive version of Dry January is making a splash this year.
Gazing into our crystal balls to predict the major trends we'll see in non-alc this year.
Recipes
Café du Monde Non-Alcoholic Martini →With espresso martinis all the rage, we wanted to look to other regional coffees for inspiration. This bittersweet non-alcoholic drink is named after the 24 hour café in New Orleans famous for serving piping hot beignets buried under drifts of powdered sugar alongside distinctively bitter chicory coffee.
Our favorite bottles of bubbly, martini recipes, and morning-after brunch cocktails to ring in the New Year.
This spicy, cinnamon infused hot chocolate with non-alcoholic tequila will warm you from the inside out... and it's surprisingly easy to make.
There are a lot of recipes for non-alcoholic espresso martinis out there, but they almost always lack the thick head of foam that makes their alcoholic cousins so photogenic. Not anymore.
Whether you’re making your own wishlist or shopping for someone else, The Zero Proof 2022 Gift Guide is here to help you find the perfect present.
Kristin’s tribute to A Tribe Called Quest, Electric Relaxation is a delicious, non-alcoholic Boulevardier. The Boulevardier is a Negroni variation that substitutes bourbon for gin. Still bitter and bracing, but with a smoky roundness that eases you into cooler weather.
The cocktail of choice in the movie Casablanca, the flirtatious French 75 looks glamorous but is easy to make. The original was named after a field gun used by the French army in World War I, as it was so strong you'd feel like you'd been shelled the night before. This non-alcoholic version packs all the flavor punch but won't leave you with a concussive headache.
A more grown up option for when you've outgrown the espresso martini but still love coffee cocktails. Rich, sophisticated, and still guaranteed to give you a bit of a caffeine kick.
Co-founders Bill Shufelt and John Walker tell The Zero Proof how they made non-alcoholic beer cool.
Sober October is right around the corner. Check out our tips on how to make the most of taking a month off of drinking.
Think lychee martini meets aperitivo spritz.
Ease out of summer and into fall with recipes from some of our favorite mixologists, showcasing the flavors of Swedish botanicals.
The Long Island vineyard has done what no other well-respected US winery has attempted: brought vintage quality to non-alcoholic drinks.
These delicious booze-free beverages will keep you happy and hydrated the whole long weekend
Our favorite non-alcoholic gin and gin alternatives for everything from martinis to tonics.
Developed by Kristin Chaconas at Redbird in Atlanta, the SpottieOttieDopaliscious is a delicious, booze-free riff on the Pearl Diver. (And, yes, it is named for the song by hometown heroes, Outkast.)
Recipes
Pineapple Garden Sparkler →This zero-proof blend of ISH Mexican Agave Spirit, Optimist Botanicals Fresh, and a simple shrub made with fresh pineapple, this drink is a tropical garden in a glass.
A distinctly northern twist on the berry margarita, using ISH Mexican Agave Spirit and flavors found 40º or more above the equator (hence the name).
A simple honey syrup infused with chamomile tea adds a complex but comforting sweetness to ISH Mexican Agave Spirit and punchy ruby red grapefruit.
Five women founders leading the way in non-alc.
One of the first to the non-alcoholic scene, Curious Elixirs has a devoted fanbase and endless range of new creations. We sat down with the founder, John Wiseman to hear his mission.
Behind the scenes of the wild and inventive Acid League.
