The Hudson

"Spirit-forward" non-alcoholic cocktail might sound like an oxymoron, but with the recent rise of non-alcoholic spirits, the once far-fetched idea of a non-alcoholic Manhattan, Old Fashioned, or Negroni has become a delightful reality. There's a caveat though: without some well-placed modifications, like in our Cherry Balsamic Manhattan or a Black Manhattan, these drinks often fall a bit flat.

Don't get us wrong, we're huge fans of non-alcoholic spirits and believe they shine in mocktail recipes—heck, we created a line of non-alcoholic bitters specifically to complement them—but these spirits tend to excel more in drinks layered with citrus, flavored syrups, or mixers like club soda and ginger beer, which can add missing elements of texture and more nuanced flavors.

Enter The Hudson, our non-alcoholic Manhattan variant that offers a lighter, fresher take on the classic cocktail. Essentially a reverse Manhattan with a twist, the non-alcoholic whiskey and sweet vermouth swap roles, and we add a splash of Tenneyson Black Ginger, a distinctive non-alcoholic spirit that imparts a gingery bite and botanical depth. For the whiskey, we recommend Kentucky 74 here for its pronounced oak notes, and for non-alcoholic vermouth alternatives, Roots Divino or Lyre's Aperitif Rosso are excellent choices.

The Hudson (Non-Alcoholic Cocktail)

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Category

Non-Alcoholic Cocktail / Low-Alcohol / Zero Proof / Mocktail Recipes

Calories

50

In this non-alcoholic Manhattan riff, vermouth and whiskey switch roles and Tenneyson is added for depth and impact.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces non-alcoholic sweet vermouth

• 1 ounce non-alcoholic whiskey

• ½ ounce Tenneyson Black Ginger

• 3 dashes All The Bitter Aromatic bitters

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass, add ice, stir for 15-20 seconds to chill.

2. Strain into a coupe or Nick and Nora glass.

3. Express and discard an orange peel over the drink, and garnish with a cherry.

Recipe Note

St. Germain, the elderflower liqueur, is often called "bartender's ketchup" because it can be used almost anywhere, and has the ability to tie discordant elements together. We feel the same way about Tenneyson Black Ginger in the non-alcoholic cocktail realm. Especially in spirit-forward drinks that are lacking a little punch and depth of flavor, Tenneyson seems to blend in seamlessly and lends just enough acidity, ginger bite, pepper, and bitter botanicals to wake the drink up.

MAKE IT MINDFULLY LOW ALCOHOL

You can easily swap in 1 ounce of alcoholic whiskey here to create a highly impactful cocktail experience with less alcohol than one standard drink. This is a great option if you're trying to pace yourself through the night!