Ultimate Guide to Crafting Gourmet Mocktails with SaltSpring Kitchen Co.

Alcohol-free cocktails are trending, and we're totally on board. Whether you're focusing on health, seeking better sleep, or aiming to boost your morning energy, we've got inspired drink ideas for your next spirit-free happy hour. Are you just looking to moderate your alcohol consumption? This guide is for you, too! Add sprits wherever you feel inspired.

If skipping the spirits is new for you, when the weather warms up or vacation time rolls around, we know it can feel like you're missing out. We're here to help! Fear not—we're jam-packed with options.

Skip the sugary sodas; our range of sweet, spicy, and savoury
spreads are the perfect mix-ins for crafting your next go-to beverage.

At SaltSpring Kitchen Co., we're really into food, drinks, and everything in the kitchen. We're here for it if it's simple meals, drinks, snacks, or going all out for entertaining with the flair of elaborate charcuterie boards, brunches, or desserts. SaltSpring Kitchen Co. gourmet spreads, preserves and hot sauces in your pantry or fridge door ensure no compromise on taste, whatever the mood or occasion.

As a proud, woman-owned small food brand, we're all about big flavours and small batches. 

This guide offers inspiration for alcohol-free cocktails with recipe ideas, tips, and more. Stay tuned as we update the guide in the future with new products, drink experiments, and fresh ideas. Bookmark this page and check back for seasonal updates, or join our email club to stay in the loop.

Embracing the Sober Curious Movement with Style

The sober curious movement is having a moment, inviting us to rethink our relationship with alcohol. The quest for flavourful, satisfying drinks — minus the spirits — has tons of great new brands emerging with fresh ideas for happy hour. We love seeing all new ready-to-drink options, but they're not always available in your area. In our Tasting Room, we're stocking some of our favourite options, including alcohol-free spirits, elixirs and more. If you're on Salt Spring Island, drop in and see what we're serving up.

SaltSpring Kitchen Co. is your ultimate home bar sidekick, transforming your mocktail scene with artisanal spreads, hot sauces, and a commitment to flavour-first experiences. Plus, you can keep the jars open and spread them on your favourite cheese and crackers—diet sodas can't do that.

The Art of Mocktail Crafting, Creating Foundations

Creating a fantastic drink or mocktail starts with understanding the essential components — balance, texture, flavour, and sometimes a flair for the dramatic.

Simple Syrups and Infusions, the Flavour Base

• Homemade Simple Syrup: A base of equal parts water and sugar, you can keep it neutral OR add some of SaltSpring Kitchen Co.'s Raspberry & Habanero Spicy Pepper Spread or our Hot Mango Spicy Pepper Spread for a spicy-sweet foundation and big flavour. Try anything from our Thirst Quencher Collection in your simple syrups, and get creative!

• Herb and Spice Infusions: For an aromatic twist, add to your simple syrup with herbs like basil, rosemary or spices like cardamom. You can also try something like our Sour Cherry, Rhubarb & Rosemary Spread or our Pink Grapefruit & Rhubarb Marmalade.

• Infusions made with SaltSpring Kitchen Co. Flavours: As an alternative to making a simple syrup, choose from any of our flavours you love or are curious about. Add them to your favourite recipe, or mix with your favourite tonic or a sparkling water (or combination), and a squeeze of your favourite citrus.
  
  

Using our gourmet spreads as a replacement for simple syrups makes it so easy to get creative!

You can easily adjust the sweetness level by altering the ratios. It's a blank slate for your creative taste buds.

Infused and Flavoured Drinks

Add extra ingredients to the infusions for different flavours. Here are a few ideas.

• Herbs (e.g., mint, basil, rosemary): Add a handful of fresh herbs. Muddle them in the glass first, or use as a garnish

• Fruit (e.g., lemon peel, berries, peaches): Add fruit or fruit peels to the glass. Cut the peel very thin to create a twist, and rub it around the rim of the glass for a bright flavour on every sip. 

For drinks made with SaltSpring Kitchen Co. spreads like the
Raspberry & Habanero Spicy Pepper Spread, our Blueberry & Basil Spread, or
Peach & Lavender Spread, stir in a teaspoon, a tablespoon (or more, to your taste) of the spread into your drink.

If you're using a cocktail shaker, add ice, the spread or preserves, and a small amount of water just to thin the spread so it incorporates into the liquid. Add your other ingredients, or strain into a glass of sparkling water, club soda, tonic, or whatever your heart desires.

If you're hosting a party, you can make a big batch with a full jar and some water to combine, and keep it in the fridge to add to each drink.

If you're just making a couple of drinks, just easily add a teaspoon of your favourite SaltSpring Kitchen Co. spread right into your cocktail shaker or drink.

You can use your gourmet sweet and spicy spreads to sweeten a ton of different beverages, from iced teas and coffees to homemade lemonades and mocktails. The infusions add an extra layer of flavour, making a simple drink feel gourmet.

Remember to start with a small amount, then taste and adjust accordingly. It's easier to add more than to correct an overly sweetened drink.

Getting Creative with Thirst Quenchers

• Experiment with Flavours: Don't hesitate to experiment with the Thirst Quencher Collection in simple syrups or straight into your drinks. For example, incorporating the Apple & Fig Spread or Cranberry, Sour Cherry & Port Preserve (seasonal, limited-edition) can introduce complex, fruity, and slightly tart notes to your drinks, perfect for adding a sophisticated twist to sparkling water or club soda.

• Tailor to Seasons or Occasions: Match your flavours with the season or the theme of your gathering. A Pineapple + Turmeric + Achiote Hot Sauce-infused drink could be perfect for summer, bringing a bright, tropical vibe to your mocktail menu. Pair it with a Spicy Mango Rice Bowl!

Using Herb and Spice Infusions

• Elevate with Herbs: Basil or rosemary-infused drinks impart a fresh, aromatic quality. They're perfect for a garden party or a refreshing afternoon iced tea. They pair with citrus-based mocktails, adding an herbaceous note for those who prefer savoury over sweet.

• Add Depth with Spices: Making a Cardamom-infused simple syrup to complement our spreads can introduce a warm, slightly spicy, exotic flavour profile to your creations. If you have yet to discover cardamom, its flavour is unique and rich with tons of depth; we encourage you to try it. It would be so good in mocktails that feature creamy elements, like coconut milk, creating an indulgent and comforting drink. We love pairing it with fruit in baked goods, so try it with something like Blueberry & Basil Spread, Raspberry & Rose Spread from our Sweet Trio Collection Gift Box, or Peach & Pepper Spicy Pepper Spread.

The Role of Acid and Bitterness

• Acid: Fresh lemon or lime juice adds a bright, refreshing element, crucial for balancing sweetness.

• Bitterness: A dash of bitters or a spoonful of marmalade, like our Pink Grapefruit & Rhubarb Marmalade, can add complexity and depth.

Incorporating Unique SaltSpring Kitchen Co. Flavours

• Savour Sour Cherry, Rhubarb & Rosemary Spread: This spread can create a syrup ideal for adding a tart and subtly herbaceous note to your drinks. Enjoy a drink that starts with this spread, add sparkling water and a fresh squeeze of lemon, and finish it with a sprig of rosemary for garnish—and suddenly, you're the star of brunch.

• Brighten with Pink Grapefruit & Rhubarb Marmalade: Use this flavour to craft a drink that adds a tangy, bitter-sweet note, perfect for a brunch mocktail menu. It pairs beautifully with lighter, floral flavours and a splash of soda to create a bubbly, refreshing drink that's as pretty to look at as it is to sip.

These infusions bring complexity and depth to alcohol-free cocktails, allowing you to personalize your drinks to match your palate, the occasion, and the season. So, grab your favourite SaltSpring Kitchen Co. products, and let's start crafting some unforgettable drinks!

Crafting Some Drink Ideas, Recipes & Inspirations

Let's blend, mix, and stir through a few different alcohol-free drinks that may become your new favourites.

Peachy Keen Fizz, A bubbly, spicy-sweet concoction that's perfect for summer evenings.

• Featuring: Peach & Pepper Spicy Pepper Spread

• Make it: Either make a simple syrup with Peach & Pepper Spicy Spread added, or use your favourite tonic combined with sparkling water (depending on how sweet you want it to be), and stir in a teaspoon to a tablespoon or more (to your desired taste) of Peach & Pepper Spicy Pepper Spread. Add a squeeze of fresh citrus (we love lime here), and lemon works too. Garnish with either slice and serve in your favourite glass over ice. Enjoy in direct sunlight (obviously with SPF).

• Second Peach Option: Try this with Peach & Lavender Spread from our
  Sweet Trio Collection Gift Box if you want to skip the spice (you won't have a spicy drink though, with even a tablespoon) or if you like a hint of floral.

• Next Level: If you do want it to be spicy, add some Pineapple + Turmeric + Achiote Hot Sauce! This works really well with Hot Mango Spicy Pepper Spread too.

Berry Sangria(ish), a non-alcoholic sangria-inspired drink combines the depth of cherries with the tartness of rhubarb for a deep fruity beverage.

• Featuring: Sour Cherry, Rhubarb & Rosemary Spread

Ingredients:

• Sour Cherry, Rhubarb & Rosemary Spread
• A variety of fresh fruits (such as oranges, lemons, limes, berries, and apples)
• Sparkling water or club soda for fizz
• Optional: Grape juice or cranberry juice for additional depth and colour
• Optional: A splash of lemon or lime juice for extra tartness
• Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Fruit: Thinly slice oranges, lemons, limes, and apples. Halve strawberries or keep berries whole. The idea is to maximize the surface area so the fruit infuses flavour into the drink.
   
   
2. Mix the Spread: In a large pitcher, combine 2-3 tablespoons (adjust according to taste and batch size. Try it as you go!) of the Sour Cherry, Rhubarb & Rosemary Spread with a splash of warm water to help dissolve and distribute it evenly. If using, add your choice of grape or cranberry juice to the pitcher as the base of your sangria for its rich colour and additional flavour.
   
   
3. Add Fruit and Juice: Add the fruit to the pitcher. Pour in the juice if using, and then top off with sparkling water or club soda to add the desired level of fizz. For an extra kick of tartness, squeeze in some fresh lemon or lime juice.
   
   
4. Chill and Serve: Let the sangria chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Like so many things, chilling out makes it better. The flavours come together beautifully. If you can let it sit longer, the flavours will develop even more.
   
   
5. If you're making it ahead, hold off on adding the sparkling water or club soda and add that before serving, or serve it alongside so guests can add the amount they prefer to each drink. Don't add berries too far ahead, either. Those are best kept until an hour or so before serving if you want them to look fresh.
   
   
6. Garnish and Enjoy: Serve the sangria over ice, making sure to get fruit pieces into each glass. Garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary for an aromatic touch.

Check our drink recipes for more inspiration. You can skip the alcohol or add your favourite non-alcoholic spirit in place of anything you want to switch out.

Glassware Elevates the Experience

We're tried-and-true foodies, and if you've seen our photography, you know we love a beautiful presentation and an epic spread. We also appreciate the simple pleasures that make a meal or occasion. And Tuesday afternoons are totally occasions if you want them to be.

Most of us are also really into drinks, everything from the freshly ground craft coffee made in the French Press and served in our handmade ceramic mugs or tumblers, to our evening beverage in just the right glassware. The right glassware makes it feel special and enhances the overall tasting experience.

If you don't already have your favourite glass or want something new without a vodka logo, try our Stemless Wine Glass for sangrias or the casual style Beer Can Glass for fizzier concoctions, and enjoy the presentation of (and get creative with) your new creations!

Entertaining Ideas for Pairings & Occasions

Mocktails are versatile — perfect for brunches, afternoon refreshments, or evening gatherings. Pair them with light appetizers, cheese boards, or desserts to create a cohesive culinary experience.

We're not saying that pairing wines and other drinks with specific foods is an experience we can replace with fizzy jam drinks. Still, we can enjoy something cool, refreshing, and satisfying on almost any occasion. Chips and salsa at happy hour with something cold always goes down well. Are you having the gang over for brunch? Make your favourite iced tea, but add some Blueberry & Basil Spread to give it a pop of colour and flavour.

Are you filling your 40oz Stanley mug and heading to the soccer field? When you're cheering too loud, take something delicious on ice that won't get you the side eye from the reserved fans in the crowd. The world of booze-free drinks is your oyster. And we have a Hot Sauce for that.

Bringing the Mocktail Bar Home

Transform your home into the ultimate mocktail bar with SaltSpring Kitchen Co.'s gourmet products. Here are a few tips to get started:

• Stock Up on Essentials: From our artisanal savoury spreads to our Sweet Trio Collection Gift Box, having a variety of flavours at your disposal allows for creativity. Start with anything from our Thirst Quencher Collection.

• Experiment! Feel free to mix and match flavours. The beauty of getting creative in the kitchen or at the bar is experimentation.

• Garnish with Flair: Use fresh herbs, edible flowers, or a slice of fruit to garnish your drinks for that extra touch.
  
  

Cheers to Health, Flavour, and Creativity.

If you're exploring new alcohol-free happy hour vibes, SaltSpring Kitchen Co. invites you to get creative with our Thirst Quencher Collection. Stir a teaspoon or a tablespoon of a favourite flavour into a glass with sparkling water and ice, or go all out and make a pitcher of something Sangria-like. We're here for it.

Crafting gourmet mocktails to elevate the everyday is totally our jam. If you're a seasoned mixologist or want an alternative to pop for the family, let your creativity flow, and let's cheers to health, happiness, and exceptional taste.

Get your new alcohol-free bar started at home and order something from our Thirst Quencher Collection. All orders over $100 ship free within Canada. Thanks for supporting small woman-owned brands!