Non-alcoholic cocktails, mocktails, and the new opportunity for bartenders looking to stand out.
Four people walk in. Three order a cocktail. One asks for a cola. From the bar, it looks like just another order. But stop for a second. Are you sure that person was really looking for a cola?
Perhaps not. Perhaps they were simply trying to share the same moment as everyone else—holding a carefully crafted glass, toasting with friends, and feeling part of the experience your venue creates. The cola was just the easiest choice, not necessarily the one they truly wanted. And that is precisely where an opportunity arises—one that many venues continue to underestimate.
Every day, you miss an opportunity without realizing it
Every day, people who don’t drink alcohol walk into your establishment.
Because they have to drive. Because they work after dinner. Because they are training. Because they are pregnant. Because they are following a different lifestyle. Or simply because they don’t feel like drinking alcohol that evening.
But they still want to experience the aperitivo. They want to toast. They want to feel part of the table.
When the only alternative is a cola, a soft drink, or a fruit juice, you aren’t offering an experience. You are simply serving a drink.
Non-alcoholic cocktails or mocktails?
In the world of mixology, there is increasing talk of “mocktails“—the international term for non-alcoholic cocktails crafted with the same techniques, attention to detail, and dedication as classic drinks.
The name might change. The alcohol content might change. But the experience should never change. Because those who choose a non-alcoholic drink don’t want to feel like second-class customers. They want to share in the same ritual. The same toast. The same level of care. The same pleasure.
A modern drinks list doesn’t divide; it offers a choice.
A table is never made up of people who are all the same. There are those who order a Negroni. Some, a Spritz. Others, a Gin and Tonic. Some choose a mocktail. Others prefer a non-alcoholic cocktail.
A skilled bartender today doesn’t offer an alternative; they offer a choice. And when every customer finds something that reflects who they are, the perception of the venue changes. Hospitality isn’t about serving the same thing to everyone; it’s about making everyone feel part of the same experience.
It’s not just a trend. It’s a new way of offering hospitality.
Many continue to think that non-alcoholic cocktails are a passing trend. The reality is different. People will continue to choose, on certain occasions, not to drink alcohol.
What will make the difference is how venues respond to this need. A cola quenches thirst; a well-crafted mocktail delivers an experience. And it is precisely the experience that customers remember.
The future isn’t about choosing between cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks. It means offering both possibilities.
It is not about replacing classic cocktails. Nor is it about convincing anyone not to drink alcohol. It is about giving customers the freedom to choose.
Because every table is different. Every occasion is different. Everyone experiences drinking in their own way.
And a contemporary drinks list should be capable of conveying all these frequencies.
Doppia Frequenza was born from this idea.
At Poggiana, we believe that today a distributor must do much more than simply deliver bottles. That is why we created Doppia Frequenza.
A project designed to help bartenders, bars, and restaurants create an offering that speaks to today’s customers—a drink list where classic cocktails and alcohol-free options stand side by side on equal footing. Because the point isn’t choosing one path or the other; it’s offering both.
High Frequency – Classic Cocktail.
Low Frequency – Alcohol Free.
Because the frequency changes. The pleasure remains the same.
Each table has different frequencies.
We help local venues build an offering that caters to everyone.
If you want to discover how to transform your drinks list into a more contemporary, inclusive experience that creates new sales opportunities, explore the Doppia Frequenza project.
Do you own a venue and want to figure out how to develop a “Doppia Frequenza” proposal?
Contact us: we would be happy to discuss things with you.