Hey, Reader!
The old-fashioned cocktail and its many variations are one of my most requested drinks on the site. And for good reason! But if you prefer to skip the booze, you don't have to miss out on this classic.
You'll want to keep in mind that this mocktail version won't taste just like the cocktail. It contains the flavors of an old-fashioned without the booze. While the taste and texture are different than the classic cocktail, this version is more like sipping on a fancy iced tea mocktail that has notes of whiskey.
There are several ways to mix up this mocktail, with varying levels of ABV (alcohol by volume). They’re all delicious, so pick whichever fits your needs best!
make it low ABV
ABV is the abbreviation for “alcohol by volume,” a measure of the amount of alcohol in a beverage. Low-ABV cocktails are low-alcohol cocktails, meaning they still contain some alcohol, but have less than a regular cocktail. Cut back on the booze in your drink by using a mix of regular whiskey and either black tea or a zero-proof spirit.
make it zero-proof
Instead of whiskey, use non-alcoholic spirit with the essence of whiskey to make this OF recipe feel more like the OG. You can use one from the store or make your own (it's easier than you'd think). You'll also need to use non-alcoholic bitters to sweeten your sipper because bitters contain a bit of alcohol.
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non-alcoholic bitters
Did you know most cocktail bitters contain trace amounts of alcohol? If that's a concern for you, consider non-alcoholic bitters like these from All the Bitter. (I'm an affiliate — use code fwbitters for 10% off!)
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take a shortcut
If you love an old-fashioned but want to skip straight to the sipping, old-fashioned syrup is a simple solution. Double check your bitters and ensure you're using a non-alcoholic version if you prefer to skip the booze. Once you’ve made your syrup, all you have to do to make this classic drink is add some of this pre-made, old-fashioned mix to a glass with your ice cube, then add your favorite non-alcoholic whiskey and garnishes.
I hope you find that these options hit the spot when you want a strong mocktail to sip!
Enjoy!
Susannah
