Nonrocaholic

Nonrocaholic A guide to finding craft nonalcoholic drink options in Western New York and the Finger Lakes Regions

05/31/2026

There aren’t that many nonalcoholic beverages produced in Upstate New York (when comparing to alcoholic beverages), so it’s always a treat to discover a new one like this 0% ABV Cassis blackcurrent aperitif from the folks at in Rhinebeck down in the Hudson Valley.

The base for this one calls out the blackcurrent loudly, but includes others like gentian, honey, lemon verbana, and other botanicals giving the end result a berry-forward, earthy elixir that is a perfect sipper.

They distribute this nonalcoholic cassis in this bottle or also in ready-to-drink cans available on their site.

Today on Chron, their food editor delves into the never-ending discussion of what we should be calling nonalcoholic dri...
05/30/2026

Today on Chron, their food editor delves into the never-ending discussion of what we should be calling nonalcoholic drinks and whether the term “mocktail” is dated and tired.

You’ll find a lot of different opinions from folks who are generating content and influencing the nonalcoholic beverage market so it makes sense that the ultimate finding from this piece is that people are both continuing to use “mocktail” and also looking to level up the messaging to something more mature.

One interesting takeaway from this piece though is the pricing. No one wants to pay $15 for a “mocktail” but $15 for an “alcohol free cocktail” feels different.

in Houston pointed out though that it’s easiest to roll with what customers are asking for. If someone walks up to the bar and asks for a mocktail, is it important to say “we don’t have mocktails but we do have alcohol free cocktails”, or do you run the risk of sounding condescending??

The #1 spirits distributor in the entire world is upping their non-alcoholic investments. is valued at over $20 billio...
05/28/2026

The #1 spirits distributor in the entire world is upping their non-alcoholic investments.

is valued at over $20 billion and distributes alcohol in over 180 countries. It’s safe to say that on the entire globe, Diageo is one of the (if not THE) biggest alcohol sales brands.

So why would it be investing in non-alc brands like in India? The answer is plain and simple: money! With alcohol sales declining globally, they know if they want to keep earning profits that they need to keep the attention of their current customer base AND reach new ones.

In this article they discuss precisely why adding non-alc products to their portfolio isn’t replacing alcohol sales, it’s ADDING to their overall revenue.

Still though… there are brands who are insisting that the dip is temporary and there’s nothing to see here.

🤷🏻‍♂️

Since 1921 has making soft drinks from their home in Reading, Pennsylvania. But now they have landed on shelves in the ...
05/27/2026

Since 1921 has making soft drinks from their home in Reading, Pennsylvania. But now they have landed on shelves in the Finger Lakes!!!

If you know me well you already know that I love Sauder’s in Seneca Falls—a Mennonite owned grocery store. When I popped in a couple weeks ago I noticed these new bottles on the shelf.

They have a traditional line of sodas like root beer and orange, but even more appealing to my aging body is these lower calorie “botanical” sparklers. They’re kind of a soda water meets super low-sugar and subtle flavor soda.

I got the mint watermelon lemongrass and the peach basil. I’m rreeaalllyy digging how crisp and refreshing these are at only 40 calories. I love a good soda, but sometimes I just don’t want that much sugar. With only 10 grams of sugar in these botanical bottles, I’d feel okay slamming a few in a day.

I wasn’t sure what to expect so I didn’t grab too many in case I didn’t enjoy them, but I’ll need to head back to Seneca Falls soon to grab the rest of the line.

05/24/2026

This one is for who found a cocktail clip and asked if I could do a nonalcoholic version.

Absolutely I can. 👊🏻

If you’re into working with fire, this process will be perfect for you.

- torch sole sugar on top of an orange slice, then muddle it in the bottom of the glass with the ice.

- add 2 oz of .undone NOT whiskey

- 3/4 oz of zeroproof black ginger spirit

- 2 dashes of alcohol free fig & walnut bitters

- a touch of walnut wood smoke

- garnish and sip

Happy holiday weekend, kiddos! 🫶🏻

05/23/2026

Pretty pumped to have a new standalone nonalcoholic option. Ssooo many products are great as ingredients, but don’t hold up as an on-the-rocks drinker. Luckily, the folks at have created Phantura, which *does* hold its own over rocks.

This is a spiced adaptogenic elixir, so includes functional ingredients like ashwaganda, and flavorful ingredients like tart cherry juice and maple syrup. The end result a dense sipper that settles through the glass as the ice melts.

This is the first from these guys, but I’m definitely digging it—and so are the friends I’ve shared it with.

Watch these guys!

Minneapolis Drink Dump!I had a quick work trip this week to Minneapolis, which is known among nonalcoholic beer aficiona...
05/20/2026

Minneapolis Drink Dump!

I had a quick work trip this week to Minneapolis, which is known among nonalcoholic beer aficionados to be a Mecca of near beers. Sadly, I didn’t have time to get over to any breweries, but I was pleasantly surprised to find plenty of options where I ended up.

- in Stillwater has a fun list of mocktails using sodas as a base.

- I swung into to grab some because they have a deal going right now that you can submit your receipt to enter a contest. Coincidentally, I was wearing a PF t-shirt!

- I stopped into and grabbed a few cans of which produces a fun line of fermented beverages. They’re kind of a complex soda profile, but the flavors are super unique. I’ll be ordering more of these when I get home!

- .watch.bar had a mocktail menu with a fun Pinneapple Fizz and some

- my hotel bar had four different spirits so I grabbed a tasty whisky ginger

- dinner at with a rooibos tea based “Solstice”

- and last but not least, out of Canada hanging around town and I got to try their new sparkling botanical water flavor not even in the U.S. yet!

Now boarding and ready to be home, but feeling good about the fact that Minneapolis seems to be doing a lot of things right with their nonalcoholic beverage scene. Looking forward to returning soon!

ROAD TRIP!! 🚘I’m in Minneapolis this week so I stopped into —the first non-alc bottle shop in the whole state of Minnes...
05/17/2026

ROAD TRIP!! 🚘

I’m in Minneapolis this week so I stopped into —the first non-alc bottle shop in the whole state of Minnesota.

I’ve ordered from these guys online before and their shipping right to my house worked great, but being here to support in-person is a special treat.

They’ve got a local brand call that I grabbed from the cooler to chill with on the patio. A sunny Sunday spring afternoon in a new place and meeting new people is about as good as it gets for me.

So glad we’ve got spaces like this all over the country to drop into!!

If you know me at all, you know that legit Detroit-style pizza is high on my list of creature comforts. in Minneapolis ...
05/17/2026

If you know me at all, you know that legit Detroit-style pizza is high on my list of creature comforts. in Minneapolis has been on my radar for a while—some say they have some of the best in the country.

While in town this week I went far out of my way to drop in for a couple of perfect slices, and a few drinks off their non-alcoholic menu.

The drink menu here is a collection of sugar-forward soda-inspired options. The Cherry Bomb and the Berries and Cream gave me a nice sweet contrast for all the crispy salt and bread in this pizza.

11/10 would recommend if you’re in Minneapolis!

I’ve people ask me how they can source more international nonalcoholic beers and the truth is, it’s wicked expensive and...
05/15/2026

I’ve people ask me how they can source more international nonalcoholic beers and the truth is, it’s wicked expensive and I pay to import them.

That’s why I was so excited to find this Lvivske 1715 nonalcoholic brew at the International Food Market in Henrietta!

This is an Ukraine lager and it drinks exactly like you’d expect-sweet and slightly malty with just subtle hint of hops while being sudsy as hell.

Oddly though, this bottle has labels in Ukrainian, Chinese, and warnings for California—so it doesn’t get more international than that!

Should you be looking to support Ukrainian brands, or to support the International Food Market, or wanting to try a really inexpensive international nonalcoholic beer this is your chance!

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