I’ll be taking the train 🚊 to the Big Apple tomorrow for The Daily Pour’s Zero Proof Choice Awards and Water Choice Awards! That’s right, yours truly is a judge at both events (closed to the public) and I’m looking forward to tasting some truly unique liquids. Not gonna lie — I’m the most intrigued by the water event. Did you know there are water sommeliers? 💦
Anyway, today’s post also counts as part 7(!) of What Makes a Great NA Bottle / Functional Bev Shop? I talked to non-alc bottle shop owners all over the world 🌎 and asked them three questions: 1) What makes a great non-alc / functional bev bottle shop; 2) What are some of your faves of the moment?; and 3) What’s your #1 tip for sober curious shoppers?
And if you’re just discovering Zero Proof Nation by Laura on Substack for the first time, here’s the gist: I write about global non-alcoholic beverage culture from the perspective of someone who’s been alcohol-free almost two decades. I know what it’s like to not have options; that’s why ZPN exists.
If you’ve never been to the Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore, just imagine a much smaller pre-tech boom Austin: a little over half a mile of funky boutiques, restaurants and bars, tattoo and ice cream parlors, and yes, Baltimore’s own non-alc bottle shop, Modern World. On the corner of the main drag, 36th St., is The Duchess, a cozy British pub serving Chamorro — from Guam — cuisine.
When I heard Anna Welker, former beverage manager at Topside by Revival and party responsible for Hyatt’s whole Zero Proof / Zero Judgments menu program, had taken over as the beverage manager at The Duchess, I knew this bar / restaurant would take its non-alc program very, very seriously.
I’ll be writing about the full experience in a future issue of this newsletter, so make sure you’re subscribed! For now, though, take my word for it: between Chef Kiko Fejarang’s island flavors and Anna Welker’s non-alc wizardry (you have to try Hirie’s Homecoming — with Pathfinder, earl grey tea, macadamia orgeat, and celery bitters; more on the cocktail’s backstory in said future issue), The Duchess should be on everyone’s radar.
PLAN YOUR VISIT TO THE DUCHESS
If cucumber spa water, juniper-forward gin and tonic, and non-alc bubbly had a baby, it would be Manufaktur Jorg Geiger’s dʒɪn Bitter out of Germany. This is a hydrolat, or…
Q+A with Hector Diaz and Adriana Gaspar, co-owners of In Good Spirits.
We think a great NA bottle shop is one where a customer can become a regular, or even better, a friend! In today’s society finding connection can be difficult as ever, however, we’ll always be a place where someone can comfortably pop-in to have a chat, of course about non-alcoholic drinks, but it could be about anything at all! Going from a newcomer, to a regular, to even a friend just shows how trust is built over time! As non-alcoholic beverages become more widely available, we hope that our neighborly feel blended with bev expertise encourages folks to keep coming back!
It’s nearly impossible to pin down a favorite brand at the moment with so many quality brands out right now! We’re loving Yuzuco at the moment for their super refreshing sparkling beverages like their Yuzu-ade, but also their versatile Yuzu Super Juice and fun candied Yuzu
Don’t shop for a replacement, shop for a new favorite!
The world of non-alcoholic and functional beverages has grown so much that there’s something for every palate, but not every drink is trying to imitate alcohol. Stay curious, ask questions, sample different styles, and don’t be afraid to try something unexpected. You might discover a flavor or style you end up loving even more!Website: www.ingoodspirits.online
Instagram: @ingoodspirits.online
Find non-alc bottle shops, booze-free bars, NA-forward hospitality, NA-friendly retail, and alcohol-free travel experiences ⤵️
Q+A with Zane Curtis, owner of Monday Morning.
A great non-alcoholic shop treats these drinks as a real category, not a consolation prize. For us that comes down to three things. First, curation, there are hundreds of NA beers, wines, and spirits out there and plenty of them still miss, so our job is to taste everything and only put the ones that actually deliver on our shelves. Second, letting people try before they buy, nobody should gamble forty dollars on a bottle they’ve never tasted, so you can sample any of our 500-plus drinks before you commit. And third, people behind the counter who actually know the category and can steer you, whether you want a hop-forward NA IPA for the grill or a functional pour to wind down. Get those right and you’re not just selling bottles, you’re helping people drink differently.
Right now, it's Bolle.
Their non-alcoholic sparkling wine is fermented twice, the same way real Champagne and Prosecco are made, so it actually behaves like the real thing: fine bubbles, a dry finish, and none of the cloying sweetness that gave NA wine its bad reputation. It's the bottle I reach for when I want to prove a point. I'll pour someone a glass at a toast, let them enjoy it, and then tell them there's zero alcohol in it. That double take is exactly what we're about. The Blanc de Blancs and the Rosé are both stunning, and if you really want to geek out, their Grand Reserve is the world’s first lees-aged non-alcoholic wine.
Don’t judge the whole category by some sad NA beer you tried five years ago, and don’t try to swap your old drink one-for-one. Come in, tell us what you actually like, and taste a few things side by side. The person who swears they “don’t like NA anything” has almost always just not found their drink yet. And don’t sleep on the functional stuff, drinks made with adaptogens or kava give you a genuine something without the alcohol, and they’re a lot of people’s surprise favorites.
Website: www.mondaymorning-af.com
Instagram: @mondaymorning.af
August 15 | The Daily Pour’s Zero Proof Choice Awards / NYC
August 16 | The Daily Pour’s Water Choice Awards / NYC
August 16 | Bar Nun’s Non-Alc Wine Walk / NYC
September 12 | Dry Hop Fest by Reducaholic / Denver, CO
September 16 | Drinks with Benefits Summit / NYC
September 17 | Drinks with Benefits by The Daily Pour / NYC
October 10 | Mindful Life Experience / Los Angeles, CA
October 28 - 29 | Miami Beach Food & Beverage Expo / Miami, FL
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Mock the Toast
Dry Atlas
The Modern Substitute
the drī edit
xo,
Laura
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