April is Alcohol Responsibility Month and Jack Daniels asked us to team up for three episodes in a series to talk about Low- and No-Proof Cocktails, our philosophy of “Democratic Drinking,” how to stay sane and practise mental health & wellness during quarantine, and so much more.

Join us and Jack Daniels Ambassador Jake Sherbrooke, @thereisnojake on Instagram, on a journey that explores equality at the bar, innovation in mixology, and dignity in drink choices.

My name is Devin Kidner, and I’m the owner of HOLLOW LEG.

In 2014, without ever having been a bartender or a mixologist, I won a national cocktail contest through Slow Food America, which thrust me into the incredible world of mixology.

When I came into that world, my focus was on the biology & chemistry side - I was fascinated with trigeminal effects and the science of taste, about neurogastronomy and how spirits are distilled, and how to practically apply this information to cocktail-making in a fun, approachable way.

Before starting HOLLOW LEG, I decided to see what kind of cocktail classes existed, and was ridiculously disappointed: Most were super boring, where you just followed along to a basic recipe that some person had deemed “perfect” (there’s no such thing), and nearly all were taught by the same dude in suspender straps with ironic facial hair, where pretension and ego were the name of the game.

Aand all of the classes - every single one - lacked the science I craved. No one seemed to be able to answer the WHYs or HOWs of mixology and how that went hand-in-hand with cocktail making.

I started HOLLOW LEG, which hosts virtual & hands-on cocktail classes that are rooted in science, to teach people with Julia Child-like conviction (and pep!) more about their own palates and how they taste, and empowers them to go beyond the recipe and create interesting cocktails at home.

OUR PHILOSOPHY: DEMOCRATIC DRINKING

The longer I taught mixology classes, I began to realise how cocktail culture glorified one part of mixology, in particular, the booze. While spirits can be an exciting part, it isn’t the most important part of making incredible drinks.

I designed our approach of Democratic Drinking, or the belief that everyone should be able to partake in the world of cocktails, with this in mind. No matter who you are, whether you choose to drink alcohol or not, whether you’re Kosher, or Halal, vegan, on a specific diet, there’s a stool at the bar for you.

Democratic Drinking is utilising science to drink complex, nuanced, chemically interesting cocktails (no booze required) to create a party in your mouth where everyone’s invited.

Democratic drinking is shifting the emphasis back on the joy of social drinking without the fear of needing to over-consume, which bars and restaurants can help accomplish by offering amazing Low- and No-Proof Cocktails that are delicious and sexy alternatives to their boozy counterparts!

Democratic drinking is fun, inclusive, and it’s absolutely something of which to be proud.

consider them #Cancelled: MOCKTAIL + VIRGIN

Can we please make it trend? I’d love to see calling non-alcoholic cocktails “mocktails” or “virgin” die - I feel like these are pejorative words, made to make the No-Proof cocktail sound less than, because what human over the age of 12 wants to order something at a bar by calling it a mocktail? It simply doesn’t give them the dignity they deserve.

I call them No-Proof Cocktails, which is sexy. It implies that there’s been thought and innovation put into their creation.

Nothing is more frustrating than going to a bar, having to special order something that’s not on the menu as you try to explain to your server/bartender about how you’re not drinking, but could they - would they - possibly be able to make you a “virgin” version of the Raspberry Mojito?? Because let’s be honest, we allllll know those cocktails were originally created with booze as its base and it’s not going to turn out as interesting without it. We don’t want a glorified juice drink or a cup of tea.

Nah, we want a cocktail.

You should be able to walk in, head held high, full of pride and look at a menu with stylish font and confidently choose a gorgeously garnished, chemically satisfying, aromatically enticing, flavourful cocktail that was thoughtfully crafted with your drinking habits in mind, too.

It doesn’t matter why you’ve chosen not to drink, or to drink less, what matters is you should not have to worry that you’re going to get to a bar and not have any other option but water or a child-style “mocktail” to choose from (Shirley Temple anyone?) - after all, you’re a gosh darn adult!

I Wanna see the receipts

Is someone accusing you of something you know you didn’t do? Demand the receipts (otherwise, where’s the proof?). This No-Proof Cocktail has the right balance of bitter/tangy/sweet, with the sharp heat of black pepper, an undertow of floral lavender, and bubbly to boot. The glass is garnished with chamomile tea, which is warm, aromatic, and earthy.

It’s a party in your mouth, and everyone’s invited.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. Cranberry Juice (100%) infused with black peppercorns and lavender (directions below)

• 1 oz. Honey Simple Syrup (1:1 ratio of honey to water, dissolved)

• Generous splash of Sparkling Botanical Water (our choice is Seasons Sparkling’s Matcha Ginger Turmeric)

• Chamomile and Edible Flowers

For the infused cranberry juice, take 6 oz. of cranberry juice and add 1 Tbsp whole black peppercorns and several sprigs of lavender into a pot. Bring to boil, then simmer for 3 minutes. Strain and let cool.

Add all ingredients into a shaker, add ice and shake vigorously! Strain into a chilled glass with then add a splash of sparkling botanical water.

To garnish, use honey or golden syrup to paint a design on the side of a glass. Roll in chamomile tea and decorate with edible flowers.

P.S. We have friends in this space who are doing incredible work. If you need more information + inspiration, you should check out Better Drinking Culture, who believes that “alcohol should be a choice - not an expectation.” You can follow them on Instagram at @BetterDrinkingCulture