3 Myths about Mocktails

Alcohol-Free drinks have become more of a popular choice in the last couple of years and it seems the popularity isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Baby Showers, Anniversaries, Weddings and Social Events need to have at least one alcohol-free option for those abstaining. Tamp & Muddle Co. loves to cater for these ones, so we thought we’d share 3 myths about Mocktails!

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1. Mocktails just taste like juice

   It is true, when little thought goes into making a mocktail, it can taste just like juice. I’m here to tell you though, Mocktails have really upped their game. With QUALITY ingredients, they can taste like the real thing.

   Especially with more companies like Seedlip and Ritual Zero Proof creating non-alcholic spirits, along with artisanal tonics like Fever Tree it’s pretty hard to tell the difference.

Ritual Zero Proof Spirits

That being said, quality ingredients mean that it takes a little more effort to make. Which leads us into the next myth:

2. Mocktails are cheaper than cocktails

We’d like to think they are! I’ll tell you how we personally learned they certainly are not. Last Fall, we catered the drinks for a private after-wedding shower (the couple got married in Italy…so dreamy!). The venue did not allow alcohol on the premises, so we had to get creative. Pricing out a signature Italy-inspired mocktail was shocking! It worked out to be the same as the alchoholic version simply because the ingredients had to be high quality. The other challenge was FINDING the quality ingredients in time.

I wanted to create this limoncello mocktail which called for LaCroix LimonCello flavored Sparkling Water Well, do you think I could find it in our local stores? Not a chance. This was where planning far enough in advance is key, especially if you are set on a particular drink.

Our couple ended up opting for dealcoholized beer, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I’m a beer lover, and I ended up purchasing the Blonde Lager and Red Ale for myself because it tasted pretty darn close to the real thing. During the week, nothing beats a nice cold beer after work! (well except for alcoholic beer).

Moral of the Story: MOCKTAILS ARE NOT CHEAPER, and PLAN AHEAD.

3. mOCKTAILS ARE EASY TO MAKE

The truth is: it can actually be harder to make a mocktail that tastes foolproof than a typical cocktail with alcohol. This goes in line with the previous myth. “Making” in this sense comes down to mixology. When you have tried and true recipes, that’s a different story. But it’s still just as much WORK as mixing alcohol. You are still sourcing good quality ingredients, still preparing garnishes (sometimes even more extravagently) and you are still exerting yourself to muddle, shake and stir. So next time you are planning a Dry January Event, or hosting a baby shower, factor in the cost of hiring a bartender the same way you would for a boozy affair.

Let us know in the comments if you learned something from this, or if you already knew these things about mocktails. We love providing a fun and easy social experience, which includes serving non-alcoholic events. Book with us for your next event!

Engaged Couples: How to Choose an Amazing Team of Vendors

So you’ve been recently engaged. CONGRATS!!! This is such an exciting time in your relationship, so soak it alllll up!

The wedding date, location, bridal party, guest list, flowers, THE DRESS, cocktails, dinner menu, invitations, the list goes on. So many details, so many things to plan, so many things to get excited about! I’ll be the first to tell you though… it can be a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions over the next few months.

So, here’s your first piece of advice:

This is YOUR day with your significant other. It’s not your parents, it’s not your friends, it’s YOURS.

While considering advice from the experience of others is beneficial, stick to your gut and plan it how you want your day to go.

For brides, we usually dream about this day from the time we are little girls. But when it comes to being an adult and when the actual time has come, there’s a lot of ideas and trends that can play tricks on us and planning a wedding can be a little overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be!

The best way to choose an amazing team of vendors is through word of mouth.

Whether your are a DIY bride or you want to hire a Wedding Planner, there are a lot of details that need to be hashed out. Since we LOVE details and want to help you worry less about the nitty gritty, Tamp & Mudde Co has put together a list of Vancouver and Fraser Valley wedding vendors you should check out.

First up…since you are recently engaged, you need to check out these 5 Wedding Photographers that are rocking the engagement photo scene.

Cheers,

Questions to ask your Wedding Bartender

The Basics

• Is our wedding date available How far in advance do we need to book with you?

• Do you have the proper license?

Pricing

• How do you charge for your time and for drinks?

• Can you run a cash bar? (Be sure you are able to sell alcohol at your venue. Some don’t allow it.)

• Do I have to buy the alcohol, ice, cups, etc. or will you supply it?

• What is the tipping protocol?

• Can the bar accept credit cards? (If not, does the reception venue have an ATM?)

• Do you carry liability insurance?

• What is the deposit and final payment plan for the entire bill? What forms of payment do you accept?

• What is your cancellation/refund policy?

• When will I receive the contract? (Make sure to get everything in writing in the final contract.)

Drinks

• What cocktails, spirits or beers can you serve?

• Can we request specific drinks? (Specialty liquor, wine, champagne, craft beers, mixed drinks, signature cocktails, etc.)

• Can you provide any special drinks for the non-drinkers?

• How many people will be on staff?

Logistics

• What is your practice for guests who are intoxicated?

• How will the bartenders be dressed?

• How late will the bar be open?

What to Prepare for your Bartender

• Make a list of common beers and drinks you know your friends and family will be ordering, so they can order an appropriate amount of popular drink choices, or provide you with a shopping list.

• Provide tables, linens, rags, etc. for behind bar and front bar service (if you book with Tamp & Muddle Co, the bar and rags are included in our bar rentals)

• Provide ice, cups, bar napkins, cutting board, shakers, and anything the bartender may not provide. (With Tamp and Muddle Co, basic bar tools are included in the bar rental)

We hope this helps you with planning your big day! Whether you are using us to bartend, or hiring a bartender in addition to renting our mobile horse trailer bar, this list of questions will ease your mind and help with the planning process. When you add bartending to your package with us, it includes a consult with our Bar Manager. Consultation & Guidance helps you with everything you need to know and answers these questions in detail.

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