Heauxld the Booze
When Fox Monroe started working as operations manager at Bella Blue's new inclusive performance space The Original Nite Cap—with Pulcinella! directly beneath—it was obvious that in order to be a truly inclusive space, everyone had to feel welcomed, even those who didn't drink.
"My best friend has been sober for years, and my passion for creating an inclusive space for drinkers and non-drinkers is inspired by my love of spending time with her in the bar I love," Monroe said. The Original Nite Cap is just one of many bars, restaurants, and festivals who have put a real emphasis on offering non-alcoholic options that are just as fancy as their traditional cocktails. The Original Nite Cap is located at 1300 St. Bernard Ave., in the Seventh Ward, and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Corset Strings is going to be the fall centerpiece, made with Lyre's non-alcoholic dark cane spirit, chai tea cordial, lemon, soda, and non-alcoholic aromatic bitters. They also plan on having a hibiscus spritz called the Stage Kitten, which is made up of non-alcoholic gin, hibiscus cordial, lime, and non-alcoholic bubbles. The hibiscus cordial is made from brewing hibiscus flower to make tea and then adding freshly squeezed orange juice and sugar to make a pretty pink colored concoction that's equally delicious as it is beautiful.
They'll also offer a non-alcoholic espresso martini called the Show Stopper with house made cold brew, coffee demerara, non-alcoholic gin, and foam. There will also be Dazzle 'Em, a N/A rum, lime, ginger syrup, and ginger beer mixture. They'll also offer multiple non-alcoholic beer options.
"I was raised by my great grandparents, who were New Orleans natives, and hospitality was so deeply ingrained in my upbringing," explained Monroe, who expanded upon what hospitality truly means. "To share a meal and a drink is to show love in its truest form. It's important to me to evolve with the culture, and while a night out for some involves drinking, it doesn't have to for all. Mocktails move the industry forward in a way that keeps us together when we need to be the most." Monroe isn't the only one sharing this sentiment.
Lauren Haydel, better known to most as Fleurty Girl, has been very vocal on social media about her journey this past year with ditching alcohol for various reasons. "I am thrilled to see alternative options in a city where alcohol is everywhere. We want to be part of the party, too," Haydel said.
Haydel recently introduced a new line of curated mocktails in collaboration with The Rum House, which started after a themed lemonade mocktail she shared online went viral during Taylor Swift's "Eras Tour" weekend. The Rum House collaboration drinks all feature non-alcoholic tequila, because "she wanted to taste a bit more of a kick when she sipped." The drinks all have adorable names with even cuter slogans. You'll find Heaux Ranch Water, a drink that contains non-alcoholic Free Spirits tequila, lime juice, and soda water that, of course, "heauxld" the booze. There's the "Fleurty Faux-Rita, which has all of the spicy kick with none of the hangover," a mocktail that contains the same non-alcoholic Free Spirits tequila, lime juice, agave, and jalapeños for a little spice. Finally, there's the "Teasequila Sunrise, with all of the sparkle and none of the stumble." The Teasequila Sunrise also contains non-alcoholic Free Spirits tequila, orange juice, and grenadine. The Rum House is located at 3128 Magazine St. and is open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
It's a relief for many to see more bars and restaurants hopping on this trend. While many bars and restaurants can make any drink on their menu non-alcoholic, it's nice when they go the extra mile and put the non-alcoholic versions directly on the menu. Much like someone who is gluten-free for medical reasons, normalizing it feels like you're able to just say the name of the thing you want without being embarrassed to make modifications or feel like you're being a bother.
Copper Vine offers two menu-featured cocktails with the mocktail available designation: the Gentle Sage and the Guava Pisco Sour. The Chloe offers a drink called Phony Negroni. Arnaud's French 75 Bar offers a Strawberry Lemongrass Punch, containing strawberry, orange juice, lemongrass oleo saccharum, lemon juice, and orange flower water. They also have a cucumber watermelon spritz containing cucumber juice, watermelon juice, salt, orange blossom water, lime juice, and sparkling water. There're also shrubs (kind of a vinegar made from different types of fruit) mixed with soda water at Bayou Beer Garden, as well.
One thing is for sure, the zero-proof culture in New Orleans is growing. That's a relief not only for those with substance use and alcohol use disorders who want to feel like they belong, as well as for those who want to live healthier lifestyles and cut out sugar and alcohol, but also for those who would rather be sober so they can crush the competition at board games and bar trivia.
In a city known internationally for our spirit (and our spirits), it's fantastic that we are finally proving that the true party comes from our personalities, rich heritage, and culture—and not from the extra added inhibition that high-proof drinks and few open container laws might have brought to the streets.
