On this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia explores how alcohol-free drinks can become meaningful rituals rather than consolation prizes with bestselling author and mixologist Julia Halina Hadas, whose book Mystical Mocktails combines zero-proof recipes with intention, connection and everyday magic.
What makes a mocktail feel complete? How can flavor, aroma, temperature and glassware change the experience? Julia explains why people often seek more than alcohol from a drink—and how a thoughtfully made alternative can offer beauty, pleasure and social connection without the buzz.
The conversation covers practical building blocks such as citrus, sweeteners, tea, coconut water, herbs, spices and garnishes. Julia shares how mint can suggest renewal, maple and black tea can feel grounding, and rose can represent connection. She also explains how to prevent watery tea-based drinks, balance sweetness and acidity, order creatively at a bar and pair affirmations with the physical act of drinking.
Julia also reflects on pregnancy, her husband’s sobriety and the importance of recognizing when alcohol-removed products feel triggering. She shares how creating her Rose of Remembrance recipe unexpectedly helped her process grief following her father’s death—showing how an intentional drink can hold memory, emotion and healing.
This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our substack for extra tips, tricks and resources.
Julia’s Links
Website: WitchCraft Cocktails
Instagram: @witchcraftcocktail
Book: Mystical Mocktails
SIS Links
💌 Sisters In Sobriety Substack – where the magic (and the mocktail recipes) happen
📬 Sisters In Sobriety Email
📸 Sisters In Sobriety Instagram
🌐 Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast
📸 Kathleen’s Instagram
Timestamped highlights
01:00 — Meet bestselling author and mixologist Julia Halina Hadas
02:00 — Making zero-proof drinks before nonalcoholic spirits were widely available
04:00 — Seeking connection and a change in feeling through drinks
06:00 — Bringing herbs and intention into mixology
07:00 — Magic, spirituality and reclaiming personal power
09:00 — Using maple and black tea to create a grounding drink
11:00 — The Rose of Remembrance recipe and processing grief
12:00 — Why yuzu can transform an alcohol-free drink
14:00 — How garnishes and aroma elevate the experience
17:00 — Mint, cucumber, strawberry, basil and rose as intentional ingredients
20:00 — Preventing tea-based mocktails from becoming watery
22:00 — Adding cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove
25:00 — The color-changing magic of butterfly pea flower
27:00 — Tea ceremonies, presence and the Jasmine Peace Potion
30:00 — Making drink preparation part of a personal ritual
32:00 — Why glassware can make an ordinary moment feel special
35:00 — The cup as a symbol of what a person welcomes into their life
39:00 — Pairing affirmations with the physical act of drinking
47:00 — How to order a more interesting mocktail at a bar
56:00 — Protecting sobriety when alcohol-removed drinks feel triggering
