My sister took me out for my first drink. It was great until we realized our bodies can't handle alcohol. We both flushed crimson from head to toe, then her heart began to beat too rapidly. That part was not great at all. And neither were the killer headaches the next day. Since then, we've learned we have plenty of fun drinking together without any booze.
We initially experienced the high of sipping delicious mocktails at State Bird Provisions in San Francisco. It was the first cocktail menu we saw that listed nonalcoholic options more exciting than a Shirley Temple. And they were. With the brightness of citrus and berries, our drinks weren't too sweet but balanced sharp, spicy and smooth elements like any well-made cocktail. Fizzy and fresh, they gave us a pleasure high not unlike a nice buzz.
It's easy to get that same good-bar vibe at home. To start, make simple syrup from scratch. It takes only a few minutes and lasts a few weeks. While simple syrup can be infused with anything from spices to chiles, it's especially tasty when it reflects the season and the place. This wintry L.A. version combines the pine notes of rosemary with the scent of eucalyptus in bay leaves. It works just as well in a refreshing citrus spritzer as it does in a warming mug of mulled juice. The former gets the night started and the latter helps end it.
And in both cases, you'll wake up the next morning feeling totally refreshed.
