Basically a mixed drink with no liquor added? So you mean there's no buzz?
Not in the sense that you're used to. The buzz you're thinking of is the mood enhancing benefits of spirits and liqueurs in your favorite recipes. For instance, the "Manhattan" cocktail is a layering of smoky and approachable earthy flavors that come together as a result of mixing vermouth, bourbon, select bitters and a gorgeous maraschino cherry on top.
So how can an experience like that compare? It doesn't.
Non-alcoholic beverages take a different approach altogether. It would be like comparing apples to oranges. What happen's in a spirit-free cocktail is the harmonizing of seemingly non-intoxicating ingredients to create bursts of flavor that engage your senses and provides a much more homeopathic energy boost to your bored taste buds. Have you ever took a deep breath into some fresh cilantro? Or stuck your nose into some fresh star-gazers? Well, imagine taking a pineapple and soaking it with freshly chopped ginger root and sprinkling the reduction over a coup glass full of ice with a twist of lime and a dash of Angostura bitters... yea that's the "SHOKi Kiss" recipe btw. Just pick your favorite stemware and remember a touch of bitters goes a long way.
Removing the alcohol from a cocktail and focusing on the balance needed to make a drink work is an art form and often a healthy alternative for folks interested in new ways of imbibing. Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory and settling of upset stomach properties. Pineapple is loaded with nutrients. Imagine balancing that sweet/spicy blend with a bit of sour that the fresh lime wedge provides? Yum.
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