One of first things I did when I changed my relationship with alcohol was to get serious about my NoLo drinks cupboard.  Over the months, my cupboard went from having a bottle of Lime cordial and some bitters, to chockas full of delicious ingredients to be able to create literally hundreds of alcohol-free cocktails.  Here are the top ten I can’t live without!

1.      Bitters – It’s the kicker ingredient that gives that zing to a lemon and lime (or grapefruit and even pineapple juice).  But did you know that there are at least 20 different exotic cocktails (think: Trinidad, Hawaii, Spain!) you can make using bitters?

2.      Lime cordial – No brainer right?! With over 65 different cocktails featuring lime, this one’s a must!

3.      Zero alcohol gin – Who doesn’t love a classic G&T?  And with than more than 65 gin cocktails, AF gin is right up there with the lime as a NoLo drinks cabinet essential.

4.      Ginger cordial – No need to stock cans of ginger beer or ginger ale when you have a bottle of ginger cordial on hand.  The great thing about the cordial is that you can use a mixer of your choice to either sweeten it up, ease off on the fizz or give it an extra aromatic kick.

5.      AF Italian Aperitif – It seems spritz has taken front and centre in the drinks scene, and who could resist a negroni, bellini or Manhattan?  For any of these drinks and more, you’ll want a good AF Italian Aperitif on hand.

6.      Zero alcohol tequila – I know we associate tequila with too many shots and nasty hangovers, but it’s the base of over 25 great cocktails, so a bottle in the cupboard will come in handy, especially in summer time when a tequila sunrise, margarita or paloma are such a refreshing addition to your tropical fruit platter.

7.      Raspberry cordial – Speaking of tequila sunrises, the essential ingredient for that gorgeous sunset colour range is raspberry cordial.  It’s also a really sneaky way to make the great mocktails for tweens parties to make them feel uber spesh and sophisticated.

8.      AF sparkling wine – Whether it’s a mimosa, spritz or champagne cocktail, there are a heap of delightful drinks you can had a sense of festivities to with a splash of sparkling wine.  And as long as you have plenty of ice on hand, you don’t necessarily have to keep it in the fridge until after it’s opened.

9.      Mixers – Make sure you have a range on hand to give your guests a choice.  My go-to is tonic, but so many of my friends much prefer soda, and I keep some lemonade for sweet-tooth guests and mineral water for those who prefer a spritz style finish.  Don’t forget to have some juices on hand too for the fruitier cocktails – I find a simple tropical juice in a tetra pack keep well in the cupboard for such occasions.

10. Garnishes – We all know that often the way a drink looks packs more punch than the way it tastes, so wow your guests with cool garnishes.  Have a couple of limes handy and if it’s summer and you’re doing a fruit platter, cut chunks of pineapple, watermelon, strawberries or orange to slot onto the glass.  If you have nothing fresh on hand, go for a dried option, and check out some of the yummy fizz you can get at SmugAF to coat your martini glasses with.

If you have these essentials on hand, you’ll be to cater to even the pickiest guest when it’s your turn to entertain – and of course, who needs guests?  Treat yourself to something different everyday – you deserve it!