5 Bartender-Approved Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Recipes to Make This Sober October
This article is a part of The Daily Pour’s Sober October Week, a full week of content dedicated to the phenomenon that is Sober October — a month during which many lay off booze altogether or perhaps take it easy. This week focuses on all things non-alcoholic, from beer to wine to spirits to functional beverages and beyond. Click here to check out the rest of our Sober October content.
Whether you’re going dry for Sober October or just cutting back, the fast-growing category of non-alcoholic spirits makes it easier than ever to enjoy a well-balanced cocktail without the booze. Brooklyn-based bartender Vibe Cabrera, who specializes in zero-proof mixology, shared five easy, spirit-free recipes that deliver classic flavor and sophistication — no buzz required.
1. Bee’s Knees (Zero-Proof Gin Sour)
Bright and lightly floral, this non-alcoholic take on a Prohibition-era favorite swaps traditional gin for Free Spirits The Spirit of Gin, preserving the drink’s citrus-honey balance.
Ingredients:
- 2 drops saline
- 0.75 oz honey syrup
- 0.75 oz lemon juice
- 2 oz Free Spirit The Spirit of Gin
Instructions:
- Shake ingredients with ice and double strain into a coupe glass.
2. Boulevardier (Spirit-Free Whiskey Negroni)
For something richer, this zero-proof Boulevardier combines Free Spirits’ Bourbon, Vermouth Rosso and Milano for a warming, bittersweet profile.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Free Spirits The Spirit of Bourbon
- 0.75 oz Free Spirits The Spirit of Vermouth Rosso
- 0.75 oz Free Spirits The Spirit of Milano
- Orange twist for garnish
Instructions:
- Stir ingredients with a large ice cube in a double rocks glass and garnish with an orange twist.
3. Dark & Cloudy (Non-Alcoholic Dark & Stormy)
Ginger beer and lime take center stage in this island-inspired refresher. Cabrera recommends The Pathfinder or Lyre’s Dark Cane Spirit for a molasses-rich base that mirrors dark rum.
Ingredients:
- 0.5 oz lime juice
- 5 oz ginger beer (leave room for spirit)
- 2 oz non-alcoholic rum (Pathfinder Spirit or Lyre’s Dark Cane recommended)
Instructions:
- Fill tall glass with ice
- Stir non-alc rum and lime juice
- Top with ginger beer
- Garnish with a lime wheel
4. Gimlet (Zero-Proof Lime Classic)
Simple and tart, this gin-forward favorite is a perfect showcase for botanical non-alcoholic spirits
Ingredients:
- 0.75 oz lime juice
- 0.75 oz simple syrup
- 2 oz non-alcoholic gin (recommendation: Free Spirits The Spirit of Gin)
Instructions:
- Shake ingredients with ice, double strain into a coupe and garnish with a lime wheel.
5. Old Fashioned (No-Proof Whiskey Classic)
A boozeless riff on the timeless whiskey cocktail, this version keeps its boldness with Free Spirits The Spirit of Bourbon and aromatic bitters from All The Bitter.
Ingredients:
- 3-4 dashes All The Bitter Aromatic Bitters
- 0.25 oz demerara syrup
- 2 oz Free Spirits The Spirit of Bourbon
Instructions:
- Stir with a large ice cube in a double rocks glass and garnish with an orange twist.
Sober October, Elevated
These spirit-free cocktails offer structure, depth and complexity while keeping the ABV at zero. Whether you’re abstaining for the month or simply rethinking your bar cart, these recipes show that a well-made mocktail can be every bit as satisfying as the classic version.
