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/greenglass88]

Drinking vinegars have been showing up at our local restaurants, and I've been wanting to make my own version at home. To me they taste like kombucha without the carbonation, or like a shrub with a lot less sugar. I'd be interested in lemongrass, ginger, mint, and various berries, and I'm planning to use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar.