Craving a Mocktail? You’re in Good Company
It’s Happy Hour somewhere. What’s in your glass?
If you’ve been following the latest drinking trends, odds are you’ve opted for something with little to no alcohol. Major publications, from The New York Times to The Washington Post, note that alcohol consumption has been declining since the difficult days of the pandemic, when many of us started to drink a bit more at home, looking for a way to replace the feel-good energy of socializing with friends, or enjoying a nice bottle of wine at our favorite restaurant. In 2025, mocktails, near-beer, and options with low alcohol by volume are the buzziest choices for discerning drinkers.
Don’t get us wrong. At Winvian, we love a seasonal wine pairing, or an evening spent savoring the offerings of local favorite, Litchfield Distillery. But we are also firm believers that no matter what your drink of choice, you deserve something special. Seltzer and lime have their place, but at Maggie’s Tavern, our Bar Manager, Christina Kamenos, loves to go above and beyond, mixing up elevated drinks that you won’t find anywhere else.
Signature Sips
Descended from a grandfather and father who were both sommeliers, Christina inherited the love of a perfect pour. These days, she delights in breaking with tradition, dreaming up seasonal mocktails and low-ABV offerings, many of which make use of fresh ingredients from Winvian’s own gardens. The Strawberry Fields is a current guest-favorite. Earthy and herbal verveine adds complexity to a strawberry puree, made onsite. Combined with plum bitters and fresh squeezed lemon, the mocktail is herbaceous, citrusy and refreshing. One guest called it “springtime in a glass.”
Behind the recently renovated wooden bar at Maggie’s Tavern, Christina is an artist. She pays attention to the details of her craft—from sourcing onsite and local ingredients worthy of Winvian’s exacting standards, to selecting the most appealing glass for each masterfully-mixed drink. Sure, she can make you a non-alcoholic Cosmo, Negroni, or other familiar favorite, but consider her advice to adventuresome drinkers: “get something you’re not going to make at home.”
Take the Lavender Cream, for example. In summer, Christina uses lavender grown right here at Winvian in our fully organic garden. In the colder months, she loves the lavender liqueur from Hartford Flavor Company, a boutique liqueur producer helmed by a husband-wife team of distiller and trained botanist respectively. The lavender liqueur shakes up beautifully with freshly brewed Illy espresso and a touch of rich cream. Poured over a large square ice-cube featuring the Winvian logo, the Lavender Cream’s final flourish is a sprinkle of edible cornflower petals. The end result is a drink so beautiful you’ll want to snap a photo before you take the first sip.
Mocktail Mixology: A Winvian Exclusive
Christina extends her love of inventive nonalcoholic offerings beyond Maggie’s Tavern. Her Mocktail Mixology class is quickly becoming a favorite for guests visiting Winvian on a Babymoon or a wellness-focused retreat with friends or spouses. Tailored to guest-preferences and seasonal flavor profiles, this class offers the chance to take a bit of Winvian home with you and impress friends and family at your next gathering. Go ahead, take credit for our recipes or tell people about the special drink that’s been in the family for years. Your secret is safe with us.
Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or just looking to expand your drinking repertoire with more wellness-focused options, Winvian is here to celebrate your choice. We’re raising a glass to romance fueled by nothing but love, good times with friends, mocktail hour at any hour, and an elegantly elevated drinking experience, no matter what’s in your glass. Need more proof (or less)? Visit us and taste for yourself.