January’s featured non-alcoholic cocktail, Crimson Orchard, was created with this same philosophy in mind. Designed to feel just as layered, celebratory, and considered as any spirited cocktail on our menu, it reflects our belief that hospitality should always offer a beautiful option for everyone.
Inspired by Season, Memory, and Balance
Crimson Orchard began with winter ingredients and a sense of nostalgia: fresh local apple cider, warm spice, and the familiar comfort of apple and cinnamon. Though served cold and shaken, the flavor profile nods to the cozy rituals of the holidays; think warm cider by the fire translated into something bright, elegant, and refreshing.
When we create non-alcoholic cocktails, the goal is never substitution for its own sake. Instead, we focus on balance, texture, aroma, and visual beauty, the same standards we hold for every drink that leaves our bar. A cocktail should invite you in before the first sip and continue to reveal itself as you drink.
The Ingredients: Simple, Precise, Intentional
Crimson Orchard is built on just four core elements, each chosen for a specific reason:
- A refined non-alcoholic gin base that offers subtle spice and a gentle mouth-tingling sensation without overwhelming the palate
- Fresh, locally sourced apple cider from Apple Hill, clarified in-house for a jewel-like clarity and clean flavor
- House-made cinnamon simple syrup, infused sous-vide with whole cinnamon sticks to deliver warmth without heaviness
- Fresh lemon and cranberry juice, providing brightness, acidity, and structure
The clarification process removes sediment from the cider, resulting in a vibrant, luminous drink that’s as visually striking as it is refreshing. The cinnamon syrup adds both sweetness and body, contributing to the cocktail’s rounded mouthfeel, an essential element when alcohol isn’t present.
Why N/A Cocktails Are Anything but “Simple”
One of the biggest surprises for guests is how closely Crimson Orchard mirrors the structure of a classic sour-style cocktail. It’s layered with fruit, spice, sugar, and acidity, engaging every part of the palate and leaving you eager for another sip.
Great non-alcoholic cocktails rely on the same culinary techniques used in our spirited program: infusion, temperature control, acid balance, and thoughtful texture. Alcohol naturally provides weight and complexity; without it, those qualities must be built intentionally through technique and ingredient choice.
The result is not a compromise, it’s a complete sensory experience.
Designed for the Moment
Crimson Orchard is meant to stimulate the appetite and set the tone for an evening. It’s ideal as a pre-dinner aperitivo, but just as fitting if you’re lingering over conversation with a friend and want something elegant in hand.
On the menu, it pairs beautifully with many of our dishes, including oysters, hamachi crudo, beets and burrata, cavatelli, scallops, cod, bomboloni, and pear crostata. Like our wine selections, the goal is versatility and harmony with the kitchen.
Dry January, Reimagined
For many guests, Dry January can feel less like a reset and more like deprivation, especially after the indulgence of the holidays. We see thoughtful non-alcoholic options as a way to soften that transition.
Rather than removing pleasure, Crimson Orchard offers the opposite: stimulation without excess, celebration without compromise. It allows guests to remain present, engaged, and supported in their choices, whether abstaining for a night or for the long term.
Hospitality, Inclusivity, and Care
At its heart, Crimson Orchard reflects what we value most at Allora: making every guest feel considered. When you choose a non-alcoholic cocktail here, our hope is that you feel seen, supported, and fully included in the experience.
Because thoughtful hospitality means always having an answer and an option for everyone at the table.
