Hamilton’s Casa Piñata is handcrafting excellent mocktails and more
- Michael Kras
- 19 Nov 2024
Though beer, wine, and cocktails remain popular, there’s recently been a steady decline in those who regularly imbibe. People love tasty drinks, but don’t always want them to be alcoholic.
That’s part of what inspired Andrés Marino Bosch to launch Hamilton’s Casa Piñata: a small-batch beverage company making high quality, natural mocktails, tonics, and shrubs perfect for the teetotalling crowd.
“During my wife’s pregnancy, we realized there weren’t many good non-alcoholic drink options out there—most of what we found had ‘natural flavors’ but lacked the quality and depth of flavor we were used to,” Andrés says. “Both of us are big fans of Ontario’s high-quality beers and wines, and we wanted to create a premium alcohol-free option that met those same standards.”
The business started with their flagship Tepache: a zero-proof rendition of the fruity, fermented Mexican beverage. Though Andrés originally intended to make the drink alcoholic, Casa Piñata’s take blends sparkling water, pineapple, piloncillo, clove, cinnamon, and hot peppers, packing in a lot of flavour while cutting out the booze completely.
Further creations followed, including a refreshing Paloma mocktail with grapefruit and rosemary; a fragrant Jasmine Tonic Water for something subtle yet intriguing; a hibiscus-forward Agua de Jamaica with lime and ginger; and a zippy Strawberry Shrub, Andrés’ current personal favourite.
“I love how the apple cider vinegar balances perfectly with the sweetness of the fruits. It’s complex, tart, and juicy, with just a hint of mint that keeps it feeling fresh,” he says.
Casa Piñata’s beverages currently come in two formats: a personal-size 375ml bottle, and a 750ml bottle perfect for sharing at the table with those who don’t want an alcoholic drink and crave something more than plain water.
“I think people are simply looking for more exciting and flavorful choices when it comes to non-alcoholic drinks,” Andrés adds. “They want something that feels just as special and crafted as any cocktail, but without the alcohol.”
With their current appealing range of drinks and surely more to come, Casa Piñata is doing a noteworthy job of filling that desire.
See more at casapinata.ca, and follow them on Instagram here.
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