"baby bellini" news and stories

Years ago, booze-free cocktails -- annoyingly dubbed "mocktails" -- would have been considered oxymorons, like sex without release.

Today, no one raises an eyebrow at the request because there are so many obvious reasons why you might not drink: You're pregnant, you're an alcoholic, you're driving, you're sick, you're underage, it's against your religion, etc. Maybe you just drank too much already.

Having recognized the growing niche of people who want to taste fabulous drinks but don't want to get stinking drunk, beverage directors today are building liquor-free cocktails into drink lists -- and teaching bartenders the art of hooch-free flavor combinations. Here are some timeless, clever adaptations of classic drinks tinged with Christmas cheer. If none sounds appealing, there's always O'Douls.