I've also learned from my present-day (and sober) brother that there are some good nonalcoholic liquor alternatives -- like bourbon, gin, etc. -- that actually taste like the real thing. He said he's made a damn fine margarita with nonalcoholic tequila, and he's found one nonalcoholic bourbon that's really good on the rocks, no mixer needed.

I'm going to take his word for it, and just be glad he found something he can drink without it making him relapse again.

I picked up lunch at a taqueria a while back where they talked me into getting a margarita to go with it that was made with nonalcoholic tequila. I actually did not believe them that it was nonalcoholic because I had never heard of such a thing, I saved it in the freezer until after work, but it tasted ok. FWTW

Undergrad was a lot of vodka drinks. It was also the early 90s. By grad school I'd moved up to single malt scotch. Now it is whisk(e)y in all of the wonderful varieties as my current selection of about 120ish bottles will prove.

Timelies all!

I don't like tasting the alcohol in my drinks, which why, when I do indulge, I tend to get sweet mixed drinks.(Fuzzy Navels were my go to drink in my 20s)

Could your brother recommend a good faux gin, Teppy? I do miss my martinis.

Could your brother recommend a good faux gin, Teppy? I do miss my martinis.

I'll ask him -- I bet he's tried some.

You ask, and my brother delivers: he says the brand Monday is the best nonalcoholic gin for martinis.

Two things I have learned while browsing the website of the giant liquor store in Northern Kentucky: (1) there is $5,000 scotch,* and (2) there's a Canadian whisky called "Bearface," which is a fantastic name.

*(My palate is nowhere near refined enough to appreciate any alcohol that's priced in the 4 figures. Honestly, probably not even the upper 3 figures. I top out at about a $400-$500 Veuve Cliquot, and that's pushing it.)

Bearface is a great name for a Canadian whisky!

I have not tried many of the non-alcoholic liquors, because they're often as expensive as a regular liquor for a bottle, which would be fine if it's good, but is pricey to try out. I do like some of the non-alcoholic beers I've tried (the sours from Athletic are great, but you have to order them online).

I wasted today with a migraine--I didn't want to take another pill today because I just took one Sunday, but wasted the day by trying to fight it with Tylenol and caffeine rather than just going with what works. Grr.

Bearface is a great name for a Canadian whisky!

A cocktail with this and Chambord could be called “Berry McBearface”.