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You can always upgrade for less than the cost of a beverage. Thanks if you do. And speaking of drinks…
Setting Up A Zero Alcohol Home Bar
Over the past few weeks, I have been progressing through different varieties of zero alcohol beverages after I finish the work day. Call them my five o’clock tales, to riff on Billy Strayhorn.
I’m grateful that the Produce Station here has an entire wall of choices. I bought a box of Free AF flavors on Amazon. I also ordered a starter pack from Ghia via Instagram. It included a bottle of their main ingredient, which echos Campari.
But, I’m stuck on where to go from there. Do I try ZA wines? Do I want bottles of alcohol free spirits? Zero alcohol sections at many other stores are still on the thin side (looking at you, Plum Market) and I didn’t know how to get help.
Never fear. Stephanie Styll, the owner of Killjoy in Nashville, is back with advice for creating a zero alcohol bar cart.
I am hoping her recommendations will fulfill two goals: one, help you at home, and two, let your favorite bars and restaurants know what to stock. (PS: even if you enjoy alcohol, it is nice to have an option for sober friends or people who are cutting back.)
Setting some priorities
Before you purchase anything for your home bar, here are a few things to consider.
1) What do you like to drink, and how ambitious are you behind the bar? Do you drink cocktails? Do you throw parties and mix drinks for friends? Are you more of a wine or beer drinker?
Stephanie recommends choosing items that are similar to things you used to drink. If you loved margaritas, try out some ZA tequila. If you liked Campari, find a ZA substitute. The same for bourbon.
2) If you fall into the mixologist camp, do some research on what it will take to craft your favorite cocktails. If you enjoy old-fashioneds, take a look at AF recipes online to see what ingredients are available. The same for drinks such as Negronis and martinis. If you aren’t into shaking your cocktail maker, look up pre-packaged drinks.
3) If you have a local NA bottle shop or a store with a good selection, visit them and feel free to ask LOTS of questions! They can steer you towards things you will like and use. Stephanie’s shop, Killjoy, offers samples of zero alcohol drinks. “You can also often buy just one can of beer or wine - an excellent way to sample and find what you love,” she says.
Stephanie adds, “It's important to note that most zero-proof spirits are designed to be mixed into cocktails, and may taste weak, thin, or odd on their own.”
Some brand recommendations
Stephanie was kind enough to share the ZA products that have become hits at Killjoy.
SPIRITS
-Whiskey (NKD LDY or Monday)
-Tequila (BARE or Ritual)
-Gin (Dhos or NKD LDY)
-Rum (Ritual or RUMish)
-Aperitif (Lyre's Italian Orange, Wilfred's Rosemary Orange, Ghia)
-Bitters (mixed pack from All the Bitter; El Guapo also has numerous choices)
If you want some unique herbal spirits, Stephanie also recommends
-Dromme Calm (can be drank neat)
-The Pathfinder (also neat or mixed with tonic)
WINES
-Sparkling White (Noughty Chard or Surely Brut)
-Sauv Blanc (Giessen or Buzzkill)
-Sparkling Rose (Wolffer Spring in a Bottle or Leitz Eins Zwei Zero)
-Red (Leitz Zero Point Five Pinot Noir or Surely Bubbly Red)
BEERS
-Pilsner (Southern Grist Company Pils or Untitled Art Italian Pilsner)
-Stout (Guinness 0 or Athletic)
-Lager (Corona or Athletic Light)
-IPA (Untitled Art or Athletic Hazy)
-Kolsch (Best Day Brewing)
“With some tonic, club soda, and simple syrup, you can make just about any drink with this line-up,” she says. Also remember to check out the website and social media of each brand to find recipes.
“Lastly, there are many delicious pre-made cocktails out there that can take all the guesswork out of making drinks,” she says. “We love Parch, For Bitter or Worse, ISH, and Lyre's, but there are lots more and more coming out every day!”
I’m confident that as our understanding of zero alcohol drinks grows, bars and restaurants will respond to our requests, and will begin steering away from sugary mocktails. They’re going to miss out on a significant opportunity if they don’t.
Farewell to the Christmas Tree Shop
On Friday, I made a sad pilgrimage to Taylor, Michigan, to bid farewell to a store that was a beloved part of my life.
The Christmas Tree Shops are shutting down nationwide, due to the bankruptcy at their owner, Bed Bath and Beyond, now also gone. They were born on Cape Cod in 1946 as a gift shop for Christmas items, and became a key place to outfit a summer cottage or rental property for not much money. Here is a detailed look at how the Christmas Tree Shops came about.
http://christophersetterlund.blogspot.com/2020/03/in-their-footsteps-cape-cod-history_26.html
We liked to vacation in Scorton Shores, a beachside neighborhood in East Sandwich, Mass. The original CTS was just down the road at the corner of Willow Street and Route 6A, but CTS outlets were all over the Cape, including the sprawling one with a distinctive thatched roof that sat at the foot of the Sagamore Bridge. (It was once an arena, which explains its vast size.)
Their slogan - “Don’t you just love a bargain?” - rang out in a broad Massachusetts accent on local radio and television, inspiring fits of giggles by visiting Maynards.
While holiday decor was the selling point, the Christmas Tree Shops had vast pantry sections. Jars of spices sold for $1 and there were rows of delectable cookies, gadgets and lots of snack foods. You could buy enormous boxes of K-cups and that all-important summer feature: ice pops.
The cookware was solid enough for a summer place, if not restaurant quality, and everyone owned a gurgling cod vase and remarkably good looking melamine serving dishes.
Before the retail world began disintegrating, our Cape shopping tour always included Filene’s, Jordan Marsh and CTS. Soon, they will all be only be travel memories. Yes, we did love a bargain.
Canada Gives Out Grocery Subsidies
Since the pandemic began, grocery prices have soared worldwide. That has pinched many budgets and caused especial problems for people who are food insecure.
Last week, Canada began giving grocery subsidies to 11 million lower-income residents. The rebates, in the form of direct bank deposits, went to single people earning less than $50,000 (Canadian) and families whose income is below $65,000 (C).
The rebates ranged from $234 (C) to $627 (C) depending on family size. Some people have criticized the rebates as being too small to matter.
But there is some good news: Canada's inflation rate dropped to 3.4 per cent in May, Statistics Canada said last week. That's the lowest the country's inflation rate has been since June 2021.
British Restaurants Are Struggling
As the American restaurant industry is still adjusting to its new reality, restaurants in Britain continue to take it on the chin. An average of nearly six restaurants closed per day during the first three months of 2023, the highest rate in more than a decade, according to the accounting firm Price Bailey.
That added up to 2,028 from January to March, or a 55 percent increase from closures in the first quarter of 2022.
While food inflation was a factor, the main factor driving restaurants out of business was higher energy costs. They are up as much as 80 percent across the pond, the study said.
Interestingly, younger people have been spending significantly more in Britain when they go out, after being cooped up during the Covid era.
But Price Bailey says the surge has come too late to keep a number of owners from seeking bankruptcy.
Keeping Up With CulinaryWoman
I have joined the multiple millions over on Threads. You can find me (@) michelinemaynard, the same screen name as Instagram.
Like many people, I am trying to figure out the best use of Threads. It is kind of chaotic, not especially news focused, and I haven’t yet found a cohesive food community.
So, for simplicity’s sake, I will keep using Instagram for the majority of my social posts.
Meanwhile, email me at culinarywoman@gmail.com to get in touch.
I can sell you a personally autographed copy of Satisfaction Guaranteed, and I’m setting up book events for fall. I’d love to set up consultations for CulinaryWoman Coaching.
Stay well and enjoy your summer holidays if you are traveling. I’m back tomorrow with Red Beans and Advice for our paid subscribers and I’ll see everyone else next Sunday.
Mikki, You continue to write timely and fascinating articles that I look forward to and learn from. The writing is punchy and the point of view is spot on. Thanks! Anyone who is not reading you for food and drink cultural news is missing out.