Quarantine hobbies. What’s yours? Last summer I was playing mixologist. It was fun, and, the amount of alcohol consumed seemed like it wasn’t a good long-term plan. So, I started to think about how I could make non-alcoholic or low alcohol versions of some of the cocktails I’ve been enjoying.

If you’ve been following quarantine food trends you know that alcohol sales have been way up. Interestingly, non-alcoholic spirts are an emerging food trend that has been exploding into the market. Suddenly there are many different companies and flavors. Gone are the days when a mocktail is just a glass of juice. Thank goodness!

As more of us get vaccinated and we emerge form lockdown, I urge you to be inclusive with your food & beverage. Having a non-alcoholic cocktail available as part of your BBQ food & drink table spread might just make someone’s day. They might be trying to cut back, or pregnant and not ready to share the news, or even trying to conceive. It puts people at ease when there is an option for them without having to ask for a special accommodation.

Low-alcohol Limoncello Margarita

2 ounces ritual tequila (or regular)
2 ounces limoncello
2 ounces fresh lemon juice
2 ounces fresh lime juice
2 oz simple syrup

Alcohol free Margarita aka Fauxgarita

2 ounces Ritual Tequila Alternative
1 ounce orange juice
1 ounce fresh lime juice
.5 oz simple syrup
If you’re more or sweet than salty person you can rim the glass with sugar.
To add spice, rim the glass with spicy salt. How? Take a lime wedge and run it around the edge of the glass. On a plate add equal parts hippy pilgrim jalapeño garlic salt and table salt. Press the time of the glass into the salt on the plate.
If you like it EXTRA spicy, infuse your ritual with jalapeño. Place one sliced jalapeño in a small jar. (Pro tip, wear gloves to cut the pepper so they spice isn’t on your skin) Pour ritual over the top of the pepper to fill the jar. (6-10oz). The tequila will take on the spicy flavor for an extra kick. You can also infuse regular tequila.
if you want even more complex flavor, you can also infuse your simple syrup. To do this, boil 1 cup of water. Add one lapsang tea bag to the boiled water.. (This will give a smoky flavor) Now add one cup of sugar and stir until you no longer see any granulated sugar. Now you have a smoky sugar syrup to give your margarita complexity.