Drink of the Week: Siponey Pollinator Nonalcoholic Spritz

The amount of bottles crowding my home bar is either inspiring or overwhelming, depending on who you ask and how often you dust. Despite maintaining such a deep bench, I also appreciate the easy, breezy convenience of ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails. I bring them to picnics, house parties, and other occasions when no one wants to fuss with glassware. One of my go-to RTDs is Siponey Whiskey Royale, a bright and balanced spritz from a New York-based company.

Last month, I got my hands on Siponey’s latest: a range of nonalcoholic spritzes. While their flavor profiles lightly riff on traditional cocktails like the Paloma or Mule, the bubbly drinks stand on their own without venturing into uncanny valley territory. 

My favorite of the bunch is Pollinator, a combination of hibiscus tea, raspberries, citrus, sparkling water, and a dash of organic wildflower honey. It’s easy-drinking without being boring, and versatile enough to drink on its own or with a splash of tequila blanco. There are no additives or stabilizers, either. While I struggle to think of a season where I wouldn’t want to drink something crisp and bubbly, I find Pollinator is an especially lovely accompaniment to late-summer afternoons when I have fall on the brain but flip flops on my feet. $20/6-pack, siponey.com