One hot day in July, I received a voicemail from a woman in New York. She had found Kitty on Top on Google and wanted to know if I would be interested in a mixology opportunity I might not have experienced before.
Well, now you have my attention.
“Tell me about it!”
She and her family were coming into town for the weekend and had rented a penthouse at AKA. A few of the 9-year-old girls in their group were interested in mixology, and she wanted to arrange an experience for them.
Then came the question:
“Is that a weird request?”
Little did she know, she had called the right person.
A Little Curiosity Goes a Long Way
Just months before that call, I had received recognition from the 3rd Senatorial District for facilitating mocktail classes for Diamond Beauty Academy and Belmont Mansion High School.
So, a group of curious girls who wanted to make beautiful drinks? I was absolutely interested.
Mixology offers so much to explore: flavor, balance, measurements, ingredients, presentation. An alcohol-free class gives young people room to create something with their own hands and discover how individual ingredients come together.
And I have never believed that a drink needs alcohol to deserve some attention.
All of your drinks deserve luxury.
Yes, even the lemonade.
Fresh Fruit, Homemade Syrup, and a Little Showmanship
The girls and their parents welcomed me into their suite, and we got to work.
I had the girls make their own simple syrup. They juiced their own fruit. They took part in the process of building their drinks, starting with the ingredients.
That part matters to me. When you make something yourself, you develop a different appreciation for what goes into it. A finished drink becomes more interesting when you understand how it came together.
Of course, I also brought out my smoke bubble gun.
Because if we’re having a penthouse mocktail experience, we might as well give it a little drama.
The flavorful bubbles added another playful element to an experience that already blended art and science beautifully. There was creativity, hands-on learning, and room for curiosity.
There was no alcohol involved.
It was such a beautiful reminder of how much possibility there is in a glass.
Mocktails Deserve Their Own Moment
I like challenging the idea that non-alcoholic experiences have to be bland or basic.
Too often, the non-alcoholic option feels like an afterthought. Someone puts effort into the cocktail menu, and everyone else gets whatever juice happens to be available.
We can do better than that.
At Kitty on Top, we have provided full mocktail bars for two weddings. We have created mocktail activations at Anthropologie. Our largest mocktail event was the grand opening of the first World of Flight store in the United States.
Those experiences deserve thoughtful menus, fresh ingredients, beautiful presentation, and attentive service.
The same care belongs at a family celebration or in a drink I make at home for my teenager. I make all-natural lemonades because fresh ingredients and good flavor belong in everyday moments, too.
For adults, we also incorporate zero-proof spirits to bring depth to a mocktail. There are so many ways to create a drink with character and give guests something they’re excited to sip.
So, Was It a Weird Request?
To me, that mother’s request made perfect sense.
She saw an interest in those girls and wanted to give them an experience they could enjoy together. I got to bring my creativity and hospitality into that moment—and show them what was possible with fresh fruit, simple syrup, and a little imagination.
That is the kind of work I love.
So, if you’ve been wondering whether Kitty on Top does mocktails, the answer is an enthusiastic yes.
We love mocktails.
Planning a celebration, brand activation, or private mocktail class? Reach out to Kitty on Top. Let’s create an alcohol-free experience that gives your guests something to talk about—and something delicious to drink.
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