An inventive approach to cocktails, where the only thing missing is the alcohol.
An irresistible selection of zero-proof cocktails available at The Edison
There's something to be said for a well-made cocktail. The weight of the glass, the first hint of citrus, the careful balance of sweet and bitter. A good bartender knows that the smallest details can make all the difference, and that a drink worth ordering rarely happens by accident.
For a long time, alcohol was considered the essential ingredient in that equation. Whiskey brought the warmth, tequila brought the character, and gin brought the botanicals. Everything else was there to complement the spirit. But take the alcohol away, and you're left with an interesting question: What makes a cocktail good in the first place?
As it turns out, quite a bit.
A Different Kind of Experiment
At The Edison, we're rather fond of a good experiment. Our building spent its early years generating electricity for Tallahassee, and while the machinery has long since gone quiet, we like to think a little of that inventive spirit remains. These days, you're more likely to find it in the kitchen or behind the bar.
Our newest experiment comes in the form of four zero-proof cocktails, each built around the idea that a drink without alcohol should still be something you'd genuinely look forward to ordering. Not a consolation prize, not a glass of juice masquerading as a cocktail, but something thoughtfully made, with enough flavor and personality to stand on its own.
The ingredients are familiar in some cases and a little unexpected in others. There's ginger beer, fresh citrus, tropical fruit, botanical infusions, and a couple of clever alternatives to traditional spirits. Nothing terribly complicated, but that's often the beauty of a good recipe. A few ingredients that get along particularly well can be far more interesting than a dozen that don't.
A Little Something for Every Palate
The Peach Power Up is a lively combination of peach purée, lime juice, ginger beer, and White Peach Red Bull. It's bright and pleasantly fizzy, with the sweetness of peach balanced by citrus and the bite of ginger. A good choice when the afternoon calls for a little extra energy.
For something more delicate, there's the Lavender Lemonade, made with butterfly pea flower-infused lemonade, lemon, and orgeat. The floral notes are lovely, but it's the balance of tart citrus and gentle almond sweetness that makes this one interesting. It's the sort of drink that looks beautiful arriving at the table, which certainly doesn't hurt.
The Orange Current takes a more traditional approach, borrowing a little inspiration from the whiskey cocktails that have occupied bar menus for generations. Ritual Zero Proof Whiskey Alternative, orange bitters, lemon juice, and simple syrup come together for something citrus-forward, balanced, and pleasantly familiar. Proof that a classic idea can still have a few surprises left in it.
And then there's the Solar Sipper, which doesn't seem particularly interested in subtlety. Watermelon and mango purées meet Ritual Zero Proof Tequila Alternative, lemon juice, and lemonade, with a Tajín rim bringing a welcome bit of heat and tang. It's refreshing, a little tropical, and exactly the sort of thing that sounds appealing on a warm Tallahassee afternoon.
The Main Bar greets you as you walk into The Edison
Good Taste Doesn't Require Proof
The nice thing about a proper zero-proof menu is that nobody has to make a production out of ordering from it. Perhaps you're driving, taking a break from alcohol, or simply in the mood for something different. Perhaps the description of watermelon, mango, and Tajín caught your eye, and that's reason enough.
We've always believed that good hospitality is about making people comfortable at the table, and part of that is offering something for everyone. A beautifully prepared drink ought to be available to anyone who wants one, regardless of whether there's alcohol involved.
Our four new zero-proof cocktails are now available at The Edison, and we're looking forward to seeing which ones become favorites. We have our suspicions, of course, but the fun of experimenting is finding out.
