It’s been two years since I’ve had a sip of alcohol. When my oldest daughter passed, I made the decision to face my grief head-on, without numbing my emotions. Alcohol didn’t feel like an option—I needed to heal with clarity and intention.

Beyond that, I’ve never had a good story that started with drinking alcohol. My father battled alcoholism for over 40 years, eventually succumbing to organ failure, and I’ve seen other relatives make life-changing decisions under its influence. When my daughter passed, I knew I wouldn’t reach for a drink—I wanted a path of healing, not escape.

But here’s the thing: I do love pretty drinks in equally pretty glasses. There’s something about the ritual of creating and enjoying a beautiful beverage that feels celebratory and grounding. So, I turned to mocktails and found a secret love in crafting alcohol-free alternatives.

One of my favorites is the classic Cosmopolitan—reinvented. Instead of traditional gin, I use a non-alcoholic alternative that smells and tastes like the real thing but comes without the side effects. It’s a drink that lets me enjoy the experience without compromising my commitment to living intentionally.

Alcohol-Free Cosmopolitan Recipe

I use Ritual Gin Alternative for this recipe, a brand I love for its excellent non-alcoholic substitutes. I tweak their recipes to suit my taste, and this version is my go-to:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Ritual Gin Alternative

• 1/2 oz. cranberry juice (I double it for my version: 1 oz.)

• 1/2 oz. lime juice (or juice from half a lime)

• 1/4 oz. simple syrup (I double this too: 1/2 oz.)

• Garnish: lime wheel

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.

2. Shake for 10-15 seconds.

3. Strain into a glass.

4. Garnish with a lime wheel.

If you like my cocktail shaker set, you can find the same one I purchased here.

Cheers to enjoying something beautiful, alcohol-free, and full of intention!