I had very good intentions to do a dry January. But then the daily news just kept getting worse and worse and my vow to not drink lasted for about 10 minutes.
But now it’s February (actually the month is almost half over) and I’m having another go at it. This time around though, I’m being a bit easier on myself. I’ve decided that instead of going cold turkey, I’ll limit my cocktails to the weekend (I’m not a monster.) During the week I’ll fix myself a ‘fake’ cocktail. Because I realized it’s not just the alcohol that’s doing it for me at the end of the day, it’s also the ritual that I love.
Just like any good housewife from the ’50’s I wait for my husband to come home from work. I hand him his drink and we sit in our ‘cocktail corner’ on our pink chairs for an aperitivo. We chat. We look at our phones. We drink. We nibble. And then I go get dinner ready (I told you this was a story from the ‘50s.).
I thought I’d share my current favorite drink. I don’t think I can legally call it a mocktail because the cocktail police might be angry. It does have a bit of alcohol in it. But 1 tablespoon of Campari does not a cocktail make.
Since there’s not a lot of Campari in here, the bitters really do make a difference. I chose to use Angostura Orange Bitters because they are aromatic and add a bit of spice. I realize that not everyone has access to my liquor cabinet, nor to my extensive bitters collection, so if all you have or can find is regular Angostura, that is just fine. And if you have Peychaud? Even better. I’m in love with Fee Brothers that makes a wide range of bitters I use all the time, including this Orange one
Feel free to play around with the citrus. I used Meyer Lemon last week, which was great. But I have to say I prefer the increased sourness of lemon.
And while I used Campari (I love the taste and the pretty pink hue it gives which matches my chairs and usually my flowers if I’m lucky) I’m thinking that I’ll probably move into using an Amaro next week. But if you’re looking for a Valentine-hued drink, this one should work perfectly.
And if you’re wondering why I’m limiting cocktail consumption? Calories first of all. And also I realize I sleep better.
And if you’re wondering what that darker red cocktail lurking in the background is, it’s a Negroni. And it’s for Domenico.
Do you have a favorite Mocktail? I’m open for suggestions.
PS: As a bonus, here I am making this cocktail (a.k.a. day drinking for work)
Campari Mocktail
Yield 1
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Campari
- 1/2 cup chilled sparkling water or club soda
- Peychaud Orange Bitters
- 1 Lemon wedge
- Ice
Instructions
Pour the Campari in a highball or rocks glass. Add the sparkling water. Squeeze the lemon wedge into the glass and add it. Top with ice and add a few drops of bitters.
Enjoy!
Wow! We are living dual lives !(albeit in different countries) I’m doing exactly what you’re doing with trying to go dry.. .. couldn’t go cold turkey with my love of gin martinis so limiting them to the weekend. My husband and I have the exact same evening ritual, cocktail, phones, chit chat then dinner (except he does the cooking). I have been drinking sparkling grapefruit water sometimes with Campari or Aperol . Low alcohol content. Lambrusco is also slightly lower in alcohol than other wines. Salute!
I love a bit of grapefruit too, especially with a dash of Campari and/or bitters.
Hi E,
I can so relate to the ‘ritual’. You are ‘spot on’. I so enjoy the ‘end of day’, take a breath, pull out my grandmother’s delicate silver rimmed crystal goblet and pour some nice dry Rose. I’ve never ventured into cocktails but I too found one glass of wine easily moved to 3, 4 through the cooking and chatting over the day’s events with our two grown daughters.
I too thought, hmmmm, I’m hiking uphill about 30 miles a week and no weight is shedding. So in January, when the sun began setting I pulled out the gorgeous goblet or one of my hand blown bistro glasses and pour water with lemon and crushed ice. Not quite the same ‘buzz’ I look forward to but knew I’m making a healthier choice. And I am in a household of non drinkers so they are comforted by this.
Alas, I too decided ‘why deprive yourself of a simple pleasure’, especially during ‘these times’ (holy shit). So now it’s about every two or 3 days that wine enters the scene. Feels good to know I can control it.
Your journey was great to follow. I could completely relate and wanted to commiserate with you !!♥️
Warm hugs,
Molly from Laguna Beach, CA.
In fact, the calories do add up. I miss the buzz too, but I have to say I sleep much better. And at least there is the weekend!!!
I am a fan of the Venetian Aperol Spritz but can no longer drink alcohol. I recently discovered Lyre’s non-alcoholic beverages…love their Italian Spritz. It looks and tastes very much like a Venetian Spritz. I mix it with LaCroix Key Lime water and add a Cerignola olive or two. Lyre is from AUSTRALIA, I BELIEVE. ENJOY!
NAN LOMBARDI
nlombardi27@gmaILcom
Sounds good! There is a long tradition of non-alcoholic aperitivi in Italy too. Crodino is the best known brand, and is kind of like a bitter soda. Not too sweet and a bright orange color. San Bitter is another version, redder in color and more of an campari taste to it. And Balladin actually has a wide range of craft sodas (or at least they used to!)