When I was on a Celebrity Solstice cruise about 15 years ago, they had daily molecular mixology sessions. I still remember them as some of the best drinks I’ve ever had. They used liquid nitrogen to craft drinks that felt like art in a glass. When I returned home to Montreal, I started searching for bars that could replicate that level of creativity. Despite a strong effort, I came up mostly empty-handed.
The truth is, I’ve never really liked the taste of alcohol. If I’m going to drink, and especially if I’m going to get drunk, I actually don’t want to taste the alcohol that’s getting me there! That cruise bar experience became an anchor point for me and from then on I wanted something unique, thoughtful, and great-tasting. As someone who loves speakeasies and cocktail bars, I’m not there for watered-down drinks or basic combinations. I expect great drinks! I am always on the hunt for drinks that don’t just hide the alcohol, but elevate the whole experience. If you have ever had a truly unique tasting alcoholic beverage, you know what I’m talking about.
And while some places in Montreal have completely won me over with their inventive, flavourful cocktails that make me eager to return, most others fall flat. The drinks just aren’t compelling enough to get me to rush back to most, other than a handful. But what’s really caught my attention lately is how mocktails, which were once an afterthought on most menus, have completely levelled up. They’ve become more than just alternatives to cocktails. They’ve become a statement in a sense.
Mocktails are taking off and not just as the classic substitute for alcohol. They’re now a stylish, more complex, and intentional choice that reflects a deeper cultural shift. As drinking habits change across generations and social scenes, alcohol-free cocktails are emerging as a new standard, not an exception. Mocktails are at the centre of a modern drinking culture that values creativity, wellness, and social inclusivity. I noticed that mocktails are gaining increasingly more space on cocktail drink menus. So let’s explore this emerging shift.
What is a “Mocktail?”
A mocktail is a non-alcoholic mixed drink that combines juices, syrups, herbs, spices, and other ingredients to mimic the taste and presentation of a cocktail. All this and without any alcohol! The word “mocktail” comes from the word “mock,” meaning to imitate or replicate. It reflects the drink’s purpose which is to deliver the look and feel of a traditional cocktail, minus the alcohol. Modern mocktails are crafted with the same level of creativity and care as their cocktail counterparts, offering a more let’s say “sophisticated” option for those who choose not to drink.
Why are mocktails gaining serious momentum?
Here are a number of key reasons.
1. Mindful Drinking Is Becoming Mainstream
There has been a widespread rethinking of alcohol lately, not just in terms of how much people drink, but why they drink in the first place. The “sober curious” movement has opened the door for people to question the role of alcohol in their lives, without necessarily giving it up completely. One friend of mine choose to not drink anything for all of 2023 and when I discussed it with her on New Years Eve, she found that her life had changed and she was intended to do it for all of 2024 as well. I can relate to this as well as I have never been a big drinker. If I’m going out to drink, it’s to get drunk. Otherwise, I don’t care for consuming alcohol. Because of this, I can easily go without it while at EDM festivals, bars and clubs, and even social events.
I get the impression that people are realizing they can still enjoy socializing, dancing, dating, and dining out without the side effects of booze. Better sleep, less anxiety, no hangovers, and sharper minds, especially in the morning, have become easier to fulfill top priorities for a lot of people. For many, mocktails offer the chance to keep the ritual of drinking without compromising their well-being and while simultaneously “fitting in” in certain social settings.
And for others, there’s simply a different choice being made. Instead of drinking, some are turning to party drugs like MDMA or microdoses of psychedelics, especially in nightlife and at festivals. While this isn’t always openly discussed, it’s a reality shaping how people approach social events. Alcohol, with its heavier side effects and lower “return on investment,” is starting to feel like the outdated option to a lot of event-goers.
2. Molecular Mixology Is Taking Mocktails to the Next Level: Great Tastes and Experiences
Enter molecular mixology and the fusion of art and science behind the bar. This approach uses techniques that layer the drink to create multi-sensory experiences that feel more like performance pieces than beverages. I’m talking about experiences where the drink is exciting and many would agree social-media worthy. How mocktails are made depends on what you order but you can typically expect at least one unique feature. Here are some of what you can expect for modern mocktails (and cocktails, to be sure).
- Foams: These foams are placed on top of the drink. They’re created from ingredients like juices, herbs, or cream, stabilized with agents like lecithin. They add texture, aroma, and a luxurious mouthfeel to drinks. Not to mention the potential for a fun mustache!
- Infusions: This is the process of steeping herbs, spices, fruit, or botanicals into a liquid such as syrup, water, or tea. This is meant to enhance the drink with a more complex flavour.
- Smoke Bubbles: This is created using a bubble gun filled with aromatic smoke and an edible bubble solution. The bubble sits on top of the glass and bursts just before drinking, releasing a puff of scent that enhances the flavour and drama. This is your social media video opportunity! The photo above is an example of the smoke right when the bubble bursts.
- Torching (Ice or Garnishes): The bartender or waiter uses a small culinary torch to lightly melt ice, sear garnishes like citrus or herbs, or ignite wood chips. This adds smoky aromas, visual flair, and even caramelized or toasted flavour notes to the drink. Sometimes words or a logo are burnt into an item in the drink like an orange peel.
- Candy & Sweets as Garnishes: Drinks are sometimes paired with playful additions like sour keys, rock candy, or even a puff of cotton candy. These elements add colour, sweetness, nostalgia, and Instagram-worthy visuals. In some cases, the candy melts into the drink, altering the flavour mid-sip. Or, you’re given a different liquid in a separate cup to pour onto the cotton candy which helps to melt it into the drink for added taste and effect.
- Vapour (Aromatic Smoke or Steam): This is released using dry ice, heated elements, or smoke guns. The vapour adds a sensory element by engaging the sense of smell and creating an atmospheric effect.
- Frozen or Slushy Texture: Mocktails made with crushed ice or blended to a slushy consistency create a refreshing, summery experience. The texture slows down sipping, allowing flavours to evolve as the drink melts, and often appeals to those who enjoy playful or dessert-style drinks. The photo in the centre above shows this variation. You can’t drink it too fast so it lasts a while.
- Spherification: This is a technique where liquids are transformed into small, jelly-like spheres (similar to caviar) that burst in your mouth, delivering concentrated bursts of flavour and texture.
- Temperature Layering: This combines hot and cold elements in the same drink to create a surprising contrast of sensations as you sip. It’s meant to provide a sensory twist.
What’s exciting is how this high-end creativity is now being applied to mocktails, not just cocktails. With ingredients like distilled non-alcoholic spirits, rare botanicals, or smoke-infused citrus oils, mocktails are becoming immersive, surprising, and totally satisfying. All this without a drop of alcohol. At this point, mocktails aren’t just alcohol-free options. They truly are experiences.
3. Daytime Parties Are On the Rise
Not every party happens after midnight. One of the most exciting trends in urban nightlife is actually happening during the day. Across major cities, early-evening raves, daytime club events, and pop-up dance parties are growing in popularity. And they are often found in unexpected places like coffee shops and plant stores which in and of themselves offer new kinds of social experiences. We are in the era of the decline of nightclubs but these are rising to take their place.
These events often wrap up by dinnertime and attract a crowd that’s there to dance, connect, and vibe but not to get drunk. In these settings, mocktails, energy drinks, and functional beverages (those with added vitamins, other health benefits) fit better than traditional cocktails. No one wants to be stumbling out of a café-turned-dance-floor at 4pm, with a hangover looming.
As these kinds of events grow in popularity, they’re shaping a new social rhythm where fun and clarity can coexist. They are also where mocktails are perfectly at home.
4. People Want to Be Healthy But Still Have Fun
Health isn’t just a private pursuit anymore, it’s becoming a lifestyle identity. Whether it’s through fitness, mindfulness, or clean eating, people want to feel good but also look good. And alcohol doesn’t always align with that.
Mocktails offer a kind of wellness win-win: They’re flavourful, festive, and photogenic, while also allowing you to stay hydrated, energized, and emotionally even. Many include functional ingredients like adaptogens, CBD, or herbs that promote calm and focus.
In a culture where people track their steps, sleep scores, and macronutrients, it’s no surprise that more are choosing drinks that support their health goals, not sabotage them.
5. Inclusivity is the New Hospitality
Mocktails aren’t just about health, they’re about helping to make everyone feel welcome. Whether someone is avoiding alcohol for religious, personal, or medical reasons, they deserve more than a token soda water with lime. Offering well-crafted mocktails at a party or on a menu says, “We see you. You’re part of this.” It removes awkwardness, erases stigma, and opens up the possibility for everyone to feel included, without compromising on the vibe or the aesthetics.
Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha Are Changing the Rules
Who is driving this shift in drinking trends?
- Millennials are embracing moderation as they juggle families, careers, and wellness.
- Gen Z is drinking way less than previous generations, valuing mental health, authenticity, and peer-to-peer influence.
- Gen Alpha is growing up in a world where mocktails, kombucha, and functional drinks are just as common as sodas and juices. While they can’t drink legally yet, in a few years, we will be able to look back and see how far mocktails have come.
Social media is amplifying it all. TikTok and Instagram are full of mocktail tutorials, creative bartending videos, and health-forward party content that make skipping alcohol look cool.
The Future of Mocktails is Already Here
We’re not just witnessing the rise of mocktails. We’re watching the emergence of a whole new drinking culture. One that’s curious, creative, and conscious. One that embraces the science in molecular mixology, wellness, and the joy of shared experience.
Whether you’re dancing at 10am in a coffee shop-turned-club, hanging with friends at a backyard party, or savouring a beautifully layered drink at a high-end bar, mocktails are showing us that fun doesn’t need to come with a hangover.
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