Join us on Sisters in Sobriety as we chat with the incredibly talented Derick Santiago, also known as the Mocktail Wiz. Derick’s passion for creating delicious, alcohol-free drinks has inspired many to rethink what a good drink can be. In this episode, he shares his journey to sobriety, his love for mixology, and his latest creations—a book called The Mocktail Club and the Make It a Mocktail Recipe Deck. These projects are all about making it easy and fun to enjoy tasty mocktails.
Throughout the episode, we’ll touch on how the culture of social drinking is changing and how mocktails are playing a big part in that shift. We’ll ask Derick about the common myths around mocktails and how he’s helping to debunk them. If you’ve ever wondered how to make a mocktail that’s just as satisfying as the real thing, this episode is for you.
Derick also shares some practical tips on setting up your own mocktail bar at home. From choosing the right mixers to getting creative with garnishes, he’s got plenty of ideas to help you craft your perfect drink. Plus, we’ll dive into some of the health benefits of mocktails and how they can be a great alternative for those looking to cut down on alcohol.
But it’s not all about the drinks—Derick opens up about his personal journey, including how losing his parents and dealing with work stress pushed him to quit drinking and eventually become the Mocktail Wiz. His story is both inspiring and relatable, offering hope and motivation for anyone looking to make a positive change in their life.
This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Don’t forget to check out our Substack for extra tips, tricks, and resources.
Highlights
[00:00:54] - Introduction to Derick Santiago, also known as the Mocktail Wiz, and his innovative approach to non-alcoholic beverages.
[00:01:50] - Derick shares his background, growing up in the Philippines, and how alcohol was never a significant part of his life.
[00:04:31] - Derick describes his first experience with happy hours in the U.S. and how he learned to "train" for them.
[00:06:03] - The turning point: how losing his mom in 2020 led to an increase in his alcohol consumption.
[00:10:07] - Discovering This Naked Mind by Annie Grace and how it resonated with Derick’s own experiences with alcohol.
[00:12:11] - Derick's first mocktail creation and how it helped him navigate early sobriety.
[00:12:34] - The birth of the "Mocktail Wiz" brand on Instagram and how it gained popularity.
[00:14:37] - Derick’s go-to non-alcoholic drinks when out at bars, including his preference for spicy margaritas and virgin mojitos.
[00:19:00] - The growing acceptance of mocktails in social settings and how people are using them to moderate their alcohol intake.
[00:22:08] - Common misconceptions about mocktails, including the idea that they are just boring, sugary drinks.
[00:25:27] - Essential tools and equipment for setting up a mocktail bar at home, from shakers to mason jars.
[00:28:05] - The versatility of ginger beer as a mixer and how it can mimic the burn of alcohol in mocktails.
[00:32:48] - Derick’s favorite non-alcoholic spirit alternatives, including Ritual’s rum and Free Spirits' tequila.
[00:34:45] - Tips for creating low-sugar or sugar-free mocktails using ingredients like monk fruit sweetener.
[00:36:39] - Derick’s creative process behind developing new mocktail recipes, including his use of over-steeped tea as a base.
[00:38:25] - The importance of presentation in mocktails, from the type of glass to the garnishes used.
[00:41:02] - An overview of Derick’s book, The Mocktail Club, and the Make It a Mocktail Recipe Deck, and how they make creating mocktails accessible and fun.
[00:46:00] - Derick’s favorite recipes from his book and deck, including the Fiery Squad and Holiday Punch.
[00:47:11] - Upcoming trends in the mocktail world, with a focus on original, non-alcoholic elixirs and beverages that don’t try to mimic alcohol.
[00:50:23] - Derick’s current project: a Filipino flavor mocktail series on Instagram, showcasing unique ingredients like banana and jackfruit.
Links
Sisters In Sobriety Substack - find more tips, tricks, resources, and community
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Mocktails 101: Tips, Tricks, and Trends with the Mocktail Wiz