Non-Alcoholic Cascara Sour

The Non-Alcoholic Cascara Sour is a creative take on the classic sour cocktail, replacing spirits with a strongly brewed cascara tea. This "coffee cherry tea" imparts sweet, fruity notes of hibiscus, cherry, and raisin. Combined with fresh lemon juice and a touch of simple syrup, the drink achieves a perfect balance of sweet and tart. A dry shake with aquafaba creates a rich, velvety foam, elevating the texture and presentation to that of a high-end cocktail.
Non-Alcoholic Cascara Sour

Preparation

Preparation time: 8 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

This beverage is primarily categorized as a modern mocktail due to its innovative use of ingredients in a classic cocktail format without alcohol. It also falls under specialty coffee drinks because its main flavor profile is derived from cascara, the dried fruit of the coffee plant, showcasing a unique aspect of coffee production.

Serving

Served cold and 'straight up' (without ice) in a chilled Coupe or Nick & Nora glass, this is an elegant, cocktail-sized drink with a beautiful foam top. It is completely alcohol-free.
Serving size
Approximately 150 ml / 5 oz
Alcohol content
0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

This mocktail is a product of the modern craft coffee and cocktail movements, where bartenders and baristas collaborate and experiment with unique ingredients. As cascara gained popularity in specialty coffee shops for its distinct flavor profile, it naturally found its way into beverage creation. The non-alcoholic sour format provides the perfect canvas to showcase cascara's complexity without the influence of alcohol.
Origin
This is a contemporary creation, likely originating in North American or European specialty coffee or craft cocktail bars in the mid-to-late 2010s. It doesn't have a single point of origin but rather evolved from the "third wave" coffee scene's desire for innovative, non-alcoholic options.

Non-Alcoholic Cascara Sour

This drink is often called a Virgin Cascara Sour to emphasize its non-alcoholic nature. The name "Cascara Coffee Cherry Sour" highlights the key ingredient, which is the dried skin of the coffee cherry. These names help clarify the drink's composition and style for those unfamiliar with cascara.
Original name
Non-Alcoholic Cascara Sour
Alternative names
  • Virgin Cascara Sour
  • Cascara Coffee Cherry Sour

Characteristics overview

This drink has a silky, rich texture and a beautiful amber hue, with a flavor dominated by the fruity, tea-like notes of cascara balanced by tart lemon. Its refreshing character makes it suitable for enjoyment throughout the year.
Flavor
Fruity, Tart, Sweet, Tea-like, Cherry, Raisin, Hibiscus
Aroma
Floral, Fruity, Citrusy, Sweet
Taste balance
Sour, Sweet
Aftertaste
Clean, Fruity, Lingering sweetness
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Amber, Rosy-hued, Opaque with a thick white foam head
Texture
Silky, Frothy, Smooth, Rich
Seasonality
Refreshing, All-season

Flavor intensity & Experience

The drink has a pronounced fruity sourness with moderate sweetness and a rich, creamy texture from the foam. It is entirely non-alcoholic and still, making it a complex yet balanced sip.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This recipe requires a homemade strong cascara tea concentrate, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and aquafaba to create the signature foam. All ingredients are non-alcoholic and plant-based.
  • Cascara Concentrate60 ml / 2 oz
    Strongly brewed and cooled coffee cherry tea. See instructions for preparation.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Freshly squeezed is essential for the best flavor.
  • Simple Syrup15 ml / 0.5 oz
    1:1 ratio of sugar to water. Adjust to taste.
  • Aquafaba15 ml / 0.5 oz
    The liquid from a can of chickpeas. It is a vegan alternative to egg white for creating foam.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a cocktail shaker to combine, foam, and chill the ingredients, along with a set of strainers to ensure a smooth, ice-free pour into the glass.
  • Cocktail shaker for mixing and chilling
  • Hawthorne strainer for straining from the shaker
  • Fine-mesh strainer for double straining

Instructions

The process involves first brewing a cascara concentrate. Then, combine ingredients for a two-step "dry" and "wet" shake to create foam and chill the drink before double straining and garnishing.
1. Prepare the Cascara Concentrate: Steep 20g of dried cascara in 200ml of hot water (around 93°C / 200°F) for 8-10 minutes. Strain and let it cool completely before use.
2. Chill the Glass: Place your Coupe or Nick & Nora glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes to chill thoroughly.
3. Combine Ingredients: Add the cooled cascara concentrate, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and aquafaba to a cocktail shaker.
4. Dry Shake: Seal the shaker without ice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds. This step is crucial for emulsifying the aquafaba and building a rich, stable foam.
5. Wet Shake: Carefully open the shaker, fill it with cubed ice, and seal it again. Shake hard for another 10-12 seconds until the shaker is frosty and the drink is well-chilled.
6. Strain and Serve: Double strain the mixture (using both a Hawthorne and a fine-mesh strainer) into your chilled glass. The double straining removes ice shards and ensures a silky smooth texture.
7. Garnish: Let the foam settle for a moment, then carefully add a few drops of non-alcoholic aromatic bitters on top, or float a dehydrated lemon wheel as your garnish.

Garnishing

Garnish with a few drops of non-alcoholic aromatic bitters on the foam for an appealing look and complex aroma. Alternatively, a dehydrated lemon wheel can be floated on top.
  • Non-alcoholic aromatic bitters, dropped onto the foam for aroma and visual appeal
  • Dehydrated lemon wheel, floated on top

Dietary Information

This beverage is vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free when made with aquafaba. Note that it contains a small amount of caffeine from the cascara, roughly a quarter of that in a typical cup of coffee.
✕ Contains alcohol
✕ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a relatively low-calorie mocktail. Its calories, carbohydrates, and sugar content primarily come from the simple syrup and the natural sugars present in the cascara and lemon juice.
Calories
Approximately 60-80 kcal / 251-335 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 15-20 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 12-16 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This versatile mocktail is perfect for a sophisticated brunch, an elegant afternoon pick-me-up, or as a thoughtful non-alcoholic option at parties. Its complex flavor makes it a satisfying drink suitable for any time of day.
  • Brunch
  • Afternoon Refresher
  • Sophisticated Social Gathering
  • Evening Wind-down

Pairing suggestions

The drink's fruity and tart profile pairs wonderfully with light pastries like scones or biscotti. It also complements the creaminess of goat cheese or the sweetness of fruit-based desserts. This makes it an excellent companion for brunch, afternoon tea, or light appetizers.
  • Light pastries
  • Scones with jam
  • Almond biscotti
  • Fruit tarts
  • Goat cheese crostini

The Sophisticated Sip: A Guide to the Non-Alcoholic Cascara Sour

The Non-Alcoholic Cascara Sour is a testament to modern beverage creativity, offering a complex and satisfying drinking experience without alcohol. It masterfully balances the unique, fruity flavors of coffee cherry tea with the classic sour format's tanginess. The addition of aquafaba results in a luxuriously silky foam, making it not only delicious but also visually stunning. This drink is a perfect choice for anyone seeking a sophisticated, refreshing, and unique non-alcoholic option.

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