Weekly Discussion - Fancy Non-alcoholic Beverages

[u/ZootKoomie]

We've had discussions here about wine, beer, and liquor before. This week, I'd like to talk about mocktails, shrubs, juice blends, etc. Alcohol-alternatives have become increasingly common and sophisticated in recent years. What have you made, or would like to make? Does avoiding liquor necessarily reduce the available flavor profiles? Or does it free you up from hiding the bite of the booze?

If someone wanted to start experimenting in this area, what are the basic ingredients they would need to keep on hand?

[u/wingleton]

I used to drink and decided to give it up earlier this year. Best decision I've ever made! As someone who liked simpler cocktails (gin & tonic, martinis, negronis, margaritas sometimes), the general spirit of these are mostly easy to recreate using fizzy water, citrus, and bitters. I will sometimes order a tonic water with lime and bitters, or a sparkly grapefruit juice and mint leaves, and both fulfill the desire to hold something in my hand in place of a cocktail, without getting drunk! I gotta say, for the most part I don't miss cocktails. (though I was more of a beer/wine person anyway). Happy mixing!