Why mocktails deserve a spot on your wedding menu:
Weddings are all about joy, connection, and celebrating love, and more couples are finding that you don’t need alcohol to make that magic happen! Today, couples are embracing alcohol-free celebrations with enthusiasm… and style! Enter the rise of the mocktail: vibrant, flavorful, and every bit as celebratory as its boozy counterpart.
“What I’ve found really exciting,” said Carrie, a local Pensacola woman who recently chose a sober path alongside her husband Matt, “is that people aren’t just ordering a Coke or water anymore, they want something crafted, something they can savor without the alcohol.” From signature sips with herbal infusions to zero-proof spirits that rival traditional liquors, mocktails are finding a permanent place at modern weddings. “There’s a whole new level of creativity happening,” Matt adds. “You’re seeing bartenders treating mocktails like an art form.”
Two local trailblazers, Brittany and Anthony, co-founded High and Dry, a zero-proof mobile bar and bottle shop serving the Emerald Coast. What started as a personal journey turned into a mission to make celebrations more inclusive and more fun. “We want people to feel like they’re still part of the party,” Brittany shares. “Our drinks are made with functional ingredients like kava or dandelion, so they’re good for you and taste amazing!”
And the demand? It’s real.
Brittany conducted a market survey of 171 participants, and the results were staggering: 51% said they’re already sober, 33% are thinking about moderating, and 13% are sober-curious. That’s nearly everyone, in one form or another, rethinking how they raise a glass.
That health-conscious flair resonates with many modern couples and guests alike. As Brittany notes, “Our customers range from 21-year-olds who care about their wellness to older women hosting weekly game nights. It’s not just a trend, it’s a shift.”
Matt agrees. “A great mocktail should have layers, like any good cocktail.” Carrie adds, “It’s about the ritual too. The glassware, the garnish, it should still feel special.” That sense of occasion is exactly what makes mocktails such a perfect fit for weddings. They’re not just a substitute for alcohol, they are a statement! Beautifully crafted, thoughtfully served, and bursting with flavor, mocktails bring everyone into the celebration, no matter their drinking preferences. From elegant welcome toasts to lively late-night sips, these alcohol-free options turn inclusivity into an experience worth savoring.
So if you’re planning your big day, consider making space at the bar for a mocktail menu! As Brittany puts it, “We’re here to show people that you don’t need alcohol to celebrate. You just need something delicious in your glass.”
highanddry850.com
HIGH & DRY’S DROMME CALM MOCKTAIL RECIPE
Ingredients:
Rosemary Sprig
Orange Slice
1/2 ounce Lime Juice
2 ounces Apple Cider
2 ounces Drømme Calm
AUTHOR: ALYSSA GRAHAM SOMMERVILLE
HIGH & DRY 850