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An NA Espresso Martini fit for a Dry January king

A zero proof take on a drink the masses can't get enough of

Espresso martini cocktail
Africa Studio / Shutterstock

Dry January has mostly just begun but for many it’s already losing momentum. Between the soda and bitters and black coffee pours, there’s likely room for some inspiration. Fear not, we’ve got a recipe you’ll be excited to try over and over again.

Frankly, there’s never been a better time to go dry. Whether you’re going the whole month or just looking to cut back, there are more quality options than ever. Just ask the multitude of non-alcoholic beers that have come to fruition over the last few years, wowing even the most devout craft beer enthusiasts.

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The same attention to details has seeped into bars, where mixologist are making mocktails that taste like, well, cocktails. Thanks to some tasty new options in the bottle, ordering a non-alcoholic drink at the bar is no longer wince-worthy. In fact, many recipes are so good you’ll want to recreate them at home.

The following recipe comes from José Medina Camacho of Adiõs in Birmingham, Alabama. If you need a Dry January recipe that both follows cocktail trends and adds a little extra flavor to the month, this is it. Read on for details.

Temperance Espresso Martini

Offering all of the character of a good espresso Martini recipe without the alcohol, this one is among the best we’ve whipped up.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 ounces BARE Zero Proof Rum
  • 1 ounce demerara syrup (3:1 brown sugar to boiling water)
  • 1 shot espresso
  • 1/2 ounce Pathfinder Hemp and Root NA Amaro

Method:

  1. Add all ingredients to shaker tin and shake with ice.
  2. Strain into a Nick & Nora glass.
Mark Stock
Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon. He fell into wine during the Recession and has been fixated on the stuff since…
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