1893 Mocktails

Summer nights are made for sitting outside and enjoying a refreshing drink under the stars. Or if you live in the city, summer nights are made for sitting outside and enjoying the city lights.

When I lived in Tennessee, I used to love sitting outside on a summer night with my husband Travis and sip on a nice, cold beverage. I’m talkin’ adult beverage here, like a glass of wine or a beer. Travis isn’t much of a drinker so he would either share a drink with me or drink something non-alcoholic. I miss those Tennessee summer nights sometimes, and I especially miss drinking a glass of wine.

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you know I am very pregnant right now (due early August) so alcoholic drinks are not an option for me. But I found out I can have an alternative drink– a mocktail! I wish I could tell you I have always known what a mocktail is, but the truth is I seriously just found out about mocktails when I attended a cocktail event at The Skip.

Why didn’t anybody tell me? I could have been sippin’ on mocktails this whole time! Either way, I’m glad I know now because mocktails are really good, especially when mixed with Pepsi-Cola’s 1893 premium cola.

Enjoying a beautiful night with Travis at The Skip in Downtown Detroit’s The Belt. (Also, very pregnant!)

Date Night at The Skip with 1893 (From the Makers of Pepsi-Cola)

A little over a week ago, Travis and I were invited to a small private gathering hosted by 1893, from the makers of Pepsi-Cola, at the Skip in Downtown Detroit.

We treated it as a date night because let’s be real: date nights are not always easy to pencil in your schedule when you have four children. Attending 1893 Pepsi-Cola’s cocktail event was a special treat for us, and we were delighted to be invited to explore the art of craft cocktail mixology.

The Skip in Downtown Detroit, Michigan

Oh yeah! Just in case you’re wondering what’s the difference between a cocktail and a mocktail, here’s a little factoid I found about cocktails and mocktails from Difference Between’s website.

What’s the Difference Between a Cocktail and a Mocktail?

“Cocktails [are] a mixed alcoholic drink that requires mixing either one type of alcohol with juices, soft drink and other fruits or mixing multiple alcoholic drinks with juices or ice tea. Mocktail is any mixed drink that does not have alcohol. The name mocktail is derived the word ‘mock’ meaning to “imitate or mimic” referring to mocktails imitating a cocktail as it seems very similar to a cocktail but does not have alcohol or any other spirits,” (“Difference Between Cocktail and Mocktail”. Difference Between.)

So mocktails it was and boy were they delicious! Not only did Travis and I enjoy sippin’ on our mocktails, but we also enjoyed eating delicious appetizers, as we admired the beautiful city scenery of The Belt.

Mushroom Sliders
Pulled Barbecue
Delicious appetizers were served to guests at the 1893 Mixology event at The Skip in Downtown Detroit.

The BELT, Downtown Detroit

“The BELT is a culturally redefined alley in the heart of downtown Detroit. Named for its physical orientation in a former downtown garment district, The BELT is located between Broadway and Library Street and links Gratiot and Grand River.

Public Art is the driving force behind the redevelopment of The BELT. The public space is home to murals and installations by local, national and international artists. It is part of a continuous effort to ensure that artists have a space to create and engage with the public in Detroit,” (“About The BELT”, The Belt.)

A beautiful view from The Belt in Downtown Detroit.
The Belt features beautiful art created by artists from Detroit and around the world!
Mural by Hush Artist featured in The Belt.

Exploring the Art of Craft Cocktail Mixology with 1893, The Next Generation Cola

1893’s Mixology event featured one of  Detroit’s top bartenders Dorothy Elizabeth. Dorothy shared four of her cocktail and two of her mocktail creations with guests. Each drink was infused with a tasty 1893 premium craft cola.

“1893 was inspired by the original recipes created in the year 1893 by Pepsi founder Caleb Bradham. 1893 can be enjoyed as a delicious standalone beverage or as the perfect enhancement for quality cocktails.”

Travis and I enjoyed our evening eatin’ and sippin’ while sitting outside in The Skip’s patio area. We both agreed the 1893 craft cola was a very nice blend with the mocktails. Travis said he thought it was a “cool concept that Pepsi-Cola wants to explore cocktail mixology with their 1893 brand.” He described the 1893 pop as an “old-fashioned type of flavor and it’s infused with different blends” such as Ginger Cola, Black Currant, and Citrus Cola.

  • Black Currant: This cola is based on the original 1893 recipe with a bold berry flavor.
  • Citrus Cola: The Citrus Cola is the original recipe with a grapefruit essence to it.
  • Ginger Cola: The inspiration for the Ginger Cola is based on a Chinese drink that was created for soothing health benefits.

If you’re interested in trying Pepsi-Cola’s 1893 brand, you can purchase at any place where you can find Pepsi products.

1893 Premium Craft Colas, from the Makers of Pepsi-Cola

1893 Mocktails by Dorothy Elizabeth: Caroline and No-Sin Fizz 

I know I’ve already said this, but I really loved my mocktail drink! The non-alcoholic drink I had is called “Caroline”. It reminded me of a mojito because it was garnished with fresh mint. Dorothy used fresh lime, raspberries, a handful of mint, and 1893 Ginger Cola for this drink.

Travis had “The No-Sin Fizz” mocktail. His drink was cream-based and tasted a little similar to a cream soda. (I know because I tried it, too.) For this mocktail, Dorothy used fresh lemon, lime, heavy cream, one egg white, tangerine marmalade, rose water, simple syrup, and 1893 Citrus Cola. (See the recipes below for both mocktails!)

1893 Mocktails
1893 Mocktails the Caroline and The No-Sin Fizz by Top Shelf Bartender Dorothy Elizabeth, Detroit
The non-alcoholic drink I had is called “Caroline” made with 1893 Ginger Cola and I loved it!
Travis had “The No-Sin Fizz” mocktail made with 1893 Citrus Cola.

Get the Recipe! 

Caroline Mocktail Recipe, 1893 Top Shelf Bartender Dorothy Elizabeth

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz Fresh Lime
  • 8 fresh Raspberries
  • Handful mint
  • 3-4 oz 1893 Ginger Cola

Directions:

  1. Muddle Mint & Raspberry.
  2. Add fresh Lime and shake vigorously.
  3. Double strain into Collins glass.
  4. Top with ice and 1893 Ginger Cola.
  5. Garnish with fresh mint and raspberry.

The No-Sin Fizz 1893 Top Shelf Bartender Dorothy Elizabeth

Ingredients:

  • ½ oz Fresh Lemon
  • 1/2 Lime
  • 1 oz Heavy Cream
  • 1 Egg White
  • 1 Bar Spoon Tangerine Marmalade
  • 2 dashes Rose Water
  • 1/2 oz Simple Syrup
  • 2-3 oz 1893 Citrus Cola

Directions:

  1. Shake all ingredients minus 1893 Citrus Cola without ice.
  2. Add ice and shake aggressively.
  3. Double strain into a Collins glass and top with Citrus Cola and straw.
  4. Shake all ingredients minus 1893 Citrus Cola without ice.
  5. Add ice and shake aggressively.
  6. Double strain into a Collins glass and top with Citrus Cola and straw.

Stay Tuned for Cocktail Recipes Featuring 1893, From the Makers of Pepsi-Cola!

Later this week I’m going to share the cocktails which were featured at 1893’s event along with their recipes. If you love a good cocktail, then you don’t want to miss this upcoming post! Enjoy your summer nights!

The Skip

The Belt, Detroit, MI 48226

Read more about 1893 here.

Special thanks to Pepsi-Cola for inviting us out to The Skip to try 1893 and the delicious mocktails by Dorothy Elizabeth! 

Written by

Jennifer Hamra

Freelance creative Jennifer Hamra created her blog Good Life Detroit in 2015 after relocating from Tennessee to Southeast Michigan.

Inspired by her love for personal blogging and photography, Jennifer likes to share her favorite Detroit things, from cool places to visit (the hidden gems are her favorite!) to the amazing people she has connected with over the years.

When she's not busy juggling family life and her creative projects, you can find her at an art gallery, community event, farmers market, or spending quiet time at home with a good book and cup of tea.

Jennifer lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband Travis and their six children.

Connect with Jennifer on social media @goodlifedetroit on all social media platforms or via email at [email protected].