Naturally Spirited Sips: Your Guide to Mindful Mocktails That Elevate Your Everyday

At 1 Hotels, we believe that no effort is too small when it comes to sustainability. From garnishes made with spent citrus peels to syrups infused with high-quality scraps, our Mindful Mixology program embodies this ethos with every sip. Led by our Corporate Beverage Director, Steven Minor, this program infuses flavorful recipes with innovative methods to bring you a mixology class unlike any other.

In celebration of Dry January, this round of classes spotlights the magic of mocktails and the incredible ways they can elevate your wellness rituals. With our partners at BARE Zero Proof and Optimist Botanicals, we’ll guide you through the creation of delicious zero-proof creations, from the Smokey Piña to the Bright Passionfruit Martini. We spoke with Steven Minor to discover why he loves these unique recipes, how zero-proof spirits are making a splash, and how you can use them to enhance your daily routine and conscious gatherings.

Simply put, we hope these mindful mocktails and conversations lift your spirits, stir up your creativity, and inspire you to see the second life in every scrap.

A SPIRITED CONVERSATION WITH STEVEN MINOR, CORPORATE BEVERAGE DIRECTOR

Talk to us about the Mindful Mixology program at 1 Hotels. What does it offer guests?

The Mindful Mixology program was designed to show our guests how to make elevated cocktails at home, using sustainable practices and partnering with brand partners that share our ethos.

Alcohol-free spirits are becoming more popular year-round but especially in January. Can you tell us how this trend has influenced the 1 Hotels beverage program?

We’ve seen a big trend in the non-alcoholic (NA) spirit category over the past year. Millennials are drinking less than previous generations and are demanding sophisticated, high-quality mocktail options. We’ve certainly noticed, and we pride ourselves on always prioritizing non-alcoholic options at our venues, using sustainable practices, and giving ingredients a second life whenever possible.

Can you share your inspiration behind this collaboration and what guests can expect from this unique experience? How do BARE Zero Proof and Optimist complement 1 Hotels' commitment to environmentally conscious practices?

There are multiple types of NA spirit offerings available on the market, and we wanted to highlight a couple of our favorites. BARE Zero Proof offers NA spirits that taste like specific distilled spirits such as gin and bourbon. Optimist Botanicals are unique distillates (closest to gin) made with organic ingredients, no sugar or calories.

Guests can expect a warm welcome from our team members, leading to a journey focused on making fun, flavor-packed NA cocktails with sustainable practices perfect for dinner parties and social gatherings. We will visit techniques like making Super Lemon Juice, giving aquafaba a second life, the magical qualities of Butterfly Pea tea, proper shaking and stirring techniques, and much more!

Can you share one of the recipes for guests to try at home, and any expert tips or tricks? 

Always use high-quality products from the base spirit to citrus juices. Weigh everything out when batching, and have fun! Follow the directions below to recreate our zero-proof, full-flavor Smokey Piña.

SMOKEY PIÑA ZERO-PROOF MARGARITA

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Optimist Smokey
• 0.5 oz Serrano Agave Syrup (see below)
• 2 oz fresh pineapple juice
• 0.5 oz lime juice 
• 2 dashes (5 drops) saline solution, add upon pickup

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients in a shaker.
• Add ice and shake vigorously for 5-10 seconds.
• Fine strain into a rocks glass over ice.
• Garnish with a dehydrated pineapple wheel.

SERRANO AGAVE SYRUP

Ingredients:

• 17 oz  agave syrup
• 17 oz water
• 1.4 oz  fresh serrano wheels (seeds removed)

Directions:

• Bring all ingredients to a boil.
• Remove from heat and let it cool for 1 hour.
• Pass through a fine strainer into a clean glass bottle.

EXPLORE THE MAGIC OF MOCKTAILS

Whether you’re doing Dry January or embracing a low-to-no-alcohol lifestyle throughout the year, stir up your beverage rotation by exploring creative recipes, innovative methods, and sustainable spirits at Mindful Mixology classes across our properties.