Sometimes, I’m just not in the mood for alcohol. But that doesn’t mean I want a plain glass of water or sparkling water with a lime wedge. I still want a drink that feels special. Something cold, elevated, and worth raising a glass to.
Because skipping the alcohol shouldn’t mean skipping the experience.
Here's What I'd Order
- At the bar: I ask for a mocktail, soda water with citrus and bitters, a zero-proof beer or wine, or a canned zero-proof cocktail over ice.
- At the toast: I raise whatever's already in my glass and join the cheers.
- At a house party: I bring a chilled four-pack of my favorite zero-proof cocktails and drop it in the cooler.
- All night long: On nights I do drink, I keep things interesting with zebra striping and rotate between alcoholic and zero-proof drinks.
What Do I Order When the Bartender Asks What I'm Having?
I've got way more options than plain soda. A sparkling water with bitters and a twist of citrus feels fresh and grown-up to me, and a non-alcoholic beer or wine lets me join the round without missing a beat. If the bar stocks a zero-proof canned cocktail like Luba, that's my first pick. I pour it over ice in a rocks glass, and it looks and tastes just as much a part of the night as anything else on the table.
What Do I Drink When Everyone Raises a Glass for a Toast?
For me, a toast is about sharing the moment, so I lift whatever I'm already enjoying. That might be a mocktail, sparkling water with citrus, or a zero-proof cocktail. In my experience, everyone is caught up in the cheers, the laughter, and the people around them, and nobody is checking what's in my glass. On nights when I do drink, I switch between alcoholic drinks, zero-proof options, and water depending on how I'm feeling, and it keeps the whole night easy.
What Do I Bring When There's No Bar and No Backup Plan?
House parties and potlucks are my favorite excuse to show up with a drink I'll genuinely enjoy. I toss a four-pack of zero-proof canned cocktails into the cooler next to everyone else's drinks, and I'm set from the minute I walk in. It's easy, it looks great, and I always have something fun to reach for.
Luba's lineup is my go-to here, with flavors like Lime Margarita, Cranberry Cosmopolitan, Grapefruit Paloma, and Kyiv Mule. They're made with real fruit juice, so each can has a bright, refreshing cocktail-style taste. I chill them, pour one over ice when the party gets going, and it feels every bit as festive as the occasion.
How Do You Keep a Drink in Your Hand All Night Without Getting Bored?
I like my drink to keep things interesting as the night goes on, so I mix it up with sparkling water, a mocktail, or a zero-proof cocktail. On nights I've planned to drink, I use zebra striping which means alternating alcoholic drinks with zero-proof options and water at an easy pace.
Flavor makes a big difference for me too. Many canned mocktails contain around 3 to 7 percent juice, while Luba's recipes use 15 to 26 percent real fruit juice depending on the flavor. I can taste that extra fruit in every sip, and it gives the drink a brighter, more cocktail-like flavor whether I'm drinking it straight from the can, over ice, or mixed with spirits later in the evening.
FAQ
What's actually in a can of Luba?
Real fruit juice, cane sugar, a touch of monk fruit, carbonation, and reverse osmosis water. No preservatives, no artificial dyes, no adaptogens or added caffeine.
What should I bring to a party if I'm not drinking and there's no bar?
A four-pack of a zero-proof canned cocktail, iced in a cooler.
Are zero-proof canned cocktails worth it, or are they just expensive juice?
Yes, it's worth it when they're made with real fruit juice, balanced acidity, and cocktail-inspired flavors.
Can a zero-proof cocktail be mixed with real alcohol?
Yes, they work as a standalone pour or a mixer.