Oh Captain, My Captain… and My Margarita?

What happens when you put a seasoned bartender, a skeptical ship captain, and a couple of radio hosts in a room together? A lot of banter, a little bit of science, and—surprisingly—some seriously good non-alcoholic cocktails.

On the latest episode of Cocktails with Friends, Bob Cutler made a guest appearance on the George Hale & Ric Tyler Show, joined by Captain Jim Settele of the UMaine School of Policy and International Affairs. The mission? To convert skeptics into believers in the world of low-ABV and non-alcoholic cocktails. Spoiler alert: it worked.

Jim, a self-proclaimed “I’ll stick to the hard stuff” guy, took one sip of Bob’s tequila-alternative margarita (with a kick from Mike’s Hot Honey and a strawberry shrub) and suddenly found himself singing the praises of zero-proof mixology. Meanwhile, George—who’s famous for his no thank you sip policy—declared the drink “not bad,” which in George-speak is practically a standing ovation.

Bob broke down the art of crafting a great non-alcoholic cocktail, explaining how dilution, bitters, and the right glassware can transform a drink from “just juice” into something worthy of a proper toast. He even shared how he sneaks low-ABV options into his own routine—especially on long drinking days (also known as Tuesdays).

So, if you’re curious about stepping into the world of well-crafted non-alcoholic cocktails but don’t want to sacrifice flavor, Bob’s got you covered. Stop by Novio’s, ask about our latest creations, and get ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about booze-free drinks.

And if you missed the episode, don’t worry—Bob may or may not have penciled himself in for a return visit next month. Stay tuned.

Tequila-Alternative Margarita with a Kick

(As featured on Cocktails with Friends – Oh Captain, My Captain Edition)

Ingredients:

1.5 oz Clean Co. tequila alternative
0.5 oz Ghost Tequila (or another reposado, optional for a low-ABV version)
0.5 oz Mike’s Hot Honey
0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
0.5 oz strawberry shrub (equal parts fruit, sugar, vinegar)
Ice (for shaking and serving)
Lime wedge & salt (for garnish)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the glass – Rim with salt if desired and fill with ice.
  2. Mix the ingredients – In a shaker, combine the tequila alternative, optional Ghost Tequila, Mike’s Hot Honey, lemon juice, and strawberry shrub.
  3. Shake it up – Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.
  4. Strain & serve – Strain into your prepared glass over fresh ice.
  5. Garnish & enjoy – Add a lime wedge and take a sip. (No “no thank you” sips allowed.)

Bob’s Tip: If you like it spicy, use a little extra Ghost Tequila or add a slice of fresh jalapeño to the shaker. If you want it completely alcohol-free, just swap out the Ghost Tequila and enjoy a zero-proof version that still packs a punch!