Mood Drinks by Gabriel Cabrera – An inspired new collection of marvellous mocktails

An inspired new collection of marvellous mocktails 

By Lorie Steiner

It’s Monday morning, your inbox is full and the day is already crazy. You’re thinking, “Wow, I could really use a pick me up.” Of course, alcohol is out of the question, but is there a tasty beverage option to lift your spirits without the buzz? There is, 60 in fact, and we’re going to tell you all about them. 

Mood Drinks! is a brilliant new collection of non-alcoholic cocktail recipes, created and photographed by acclaimed lifestyle photographer Gabriel Cabrera. An array of delicious drinks made with intentional and accessible ingredients like fresh citrus, seasonal fruits, super-steeped teas, homemade bitters and salty brines. 

In anticipation of the April 22 release of Mood Drinks!, author Gabriel Cabrera spoke with me from his home in Vancouver. An enlightening conversation, guaranteed to make you thirsty for a mocktail, no matter what time it is. Enjoy being in the mood, it’s guilt free!  

H: What inspired you to focus exclusively on alcohol-free cocktails for Mood Drinks?

Gabriel: There were two main sources of inspiration for the book. One was travelling. Every time I travel, I would try a cocktail or food and take notes on the ingredients and how it made me feel and what mood it created for me at that time. I documented a lot of that and it became part of my inspiration.

Secondly, I was trying to reduce the amount of alcohol I was consuming. Especially during the pandemic when we were thinking “this is a bit too much” and just, in general, going out to dinner and wanting something other than a glass of wine. I started trying different drinks in restaurants but I was finding that the feel wasn’t there. I remember looking at my notes and wondering why can’t I have that experience I had with this cocktail before but without alcohol? I wanted to create a mocktail that was interesting and through that create the mood.

H: Does presentation help set the mood?

Gabriel: Absolutely, they say you eat with your eyes, and it’s even more important with non-alcoholic cocktails for people to take a look and be excited to drink it. In the regular cocktail world, something as simple as rum and Coke doesn’t need anything. You know what it is and you drink it. Mocktails are still new for a lot of people, so presentation in a beautiful way – the glassware you select, the colour of the drink – helps convey a good expectation right from the beginning. Then you add something like an edible flower and it makes people think, “Oh, what’s this garnish?” You taste it and it’s not what you were expecting… it’s interesting adding those layers to it. 

One of the staple drinks in Mexico is hibiscus, which is an edible flower. A lot of people don’t know, but after you finish the tea, you can eat the dehydrated flower and it’s delicious. You can cook it or brine it, so many things you can do with edible flowers. In the book, they’re used as a garnish or an element for bitters or for something acidic.

H: Do you have a favourite recipe in the book?

Gabriel: One of my favourites is called All My Glog. Glog is a drink from Norway, a version of mulled wine simmered with spices. I took inspiration from that and added spices and a bunch of edible flowers and other ingredients and it became like a winter Sangria. You can make it with non-alcoholic wine and drink it all year long. You can also make a huge batch and serve it to friends.

H: What would you like readers to get from the book? 

Gabriel: I really want them to be inspired and excited about discovering non-alcoholic drinks. To learn a few recipes from the book and find their favourites, then use that as a base to explore and create their own concoctions. The other underlying message of the book is to slow down and take a moment for yourself. These drinks require you to pay attention – to the ingredients, to what you’re adding, to what you’re tasting. Take 10 or 20 minutes to create a mood, to drink this delicious mocktail and enjoy being in the moment by yourself, or with friends, or company. That’s important. It also has beautiful photography, so I’d love you to have it out in your home as a coffee table book!”

Mood Drinks! by Gabriel Cabrera is published by Appetite by Random House®, a division of Penguin Random House Canada Limited, and available at booksellers everywhere.

*Gabriel Cabrera is a Mexico-born Canadian photographer and founder of the creative studio Aséance. His career started as a culinary professional, working as a food stylist and recipe developer. From there, he transitioned into full-time photography, expanding into the world of travel, lifestyle and design.