Your Summer Cocktail Menu: Low-Alcohol Recipes with a Sparkling Twist
At Tomorrow Cellars, we often say not every glass and not every night when describing how we relate to alcohol. Most nights, we love to enjoy our non-alcoholic wines on their own, but some nights call for a little something from the bar cart. That’s where low-alcohol cocktails come in. They're the perfect middle ground: just enough to feel festive, without the fog the next day.
Swapping out Champagne or Prosecco for our non-alcoholic Sparkling Blanc de Rhône is one of our favorite ways to lower the proof without losing the pop. It’s still bright, bubbly, and delicious—just a bit lighter on the alcohol and easier on your tomorrow.
Whether you're winding down on a warm evening or getting friends together for a big summer bash, these low-ABV cocktails deliver all the flavor, none of the excess.
Life in the Afternoon
Our twist on the classic “Death in the Afternoon.”
This is our take on the old-timey Death in the Afternoon cocktail created by writer Ernest Hemingway. While Hemingway’s version combines absinthe and Champagne to earn its name, we swapped in our Sparkling Blanc de Rhône for the Champagne and diluted the absinthe with water for a version that’s still spunky—but less lethal.
Ingredients
Serves: 2
6 oz Tomorrow Cellars Sparkling Blanc de Rhône (3 oz per glass)
1 tsp absinthe
2 tsp cold water (or more to taste)
Instructions
In a small cup or shot glass, combine the absinthe and cold water to dilute. Taste—it should be aromatic and herbaceous, but not overpowering.
Split the diluted absinthe between two chilled coupes (about 1.5 tsp per glass).
Top each glass with 3 oz of Blanc de Rhône.
Optional: Add a lemon twist for brightness or a single mint leaf for a modern touch.
Sip slowly and savor your afternoon.
Negroni Sbagliato
A classic—lightened up.
We love the Negroni Sbagliato for the same reason we love low-alcohol cocktails: it delivers all the flavor and ritual of a great drink, without the intensity. This version leans into brightness and botanicals, swapping in our Sparkling Blanc de Rhône for the traditional bubbly. It’s crisp, complex, and just a little unexpected—perfect for golden hour sipping or impressing guests without overdoing it.
Ingredients
Serves: 2
2 oz Suze
2 oz bianco vermouth
8 oz Tomorrow Cellars Sparkling Blanc de Rhône
Garnish: Cucumber ribbons + orange peel twists
Instructions
Fill two wine or spritz glasses with ice.
Add 1 oz Suze and 1 oz bianco vermouth to each glass.
Top each with 4 oz of Blanc de Rhône.
Stir gently to combine.
Garnish with a thin cucumber ribbon and a twist of orange peel.
Tomorrow’s Favorite
A large-format cocktail made for summer gatherings.
This is a large-format, low-alcohol cocktail ready-made for your next summer gathering. We were inspired by Natasha David’s “Jam Session” cocktail, which uses ginger kombucha and fresh watermelon juice. Really, anything that has watermelon juice is a yes for us. We swapped out the kombucha for our non-alcoholic Sparkling Blanc de Rhône and added ginger syrup to maintain the kick of Natasha’s recipe.
Ingredients
1 (375 ml) bottle of sherry
1 bottle Tomorrow Cellars Sparkling Blanc de Rhône
12 oz fresh watermelon juice (blend chopped watermelon, then strain)
1–2 oz ginger syrup or a few slices of fresh ginger
Small slices of watermelon for garnish (and snacking)
Instructions
In a large pitcher filled halfway with ice, combine the sherry, watermelon juice, and ginger.
Just before serving, top with the Blanc de Rhône.
Serve over ice with an extra watermelon wedge.
Trust us—this is the low-ABV cocktail your summer has been missing.