Non-alcoholic sour cocktail made with Aplos Ease and Herb Garden bitters.

April 14, 2026

Garden Sour

Name: Garden Sour (Non-Alcoholic)
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 2 oz Aplós Ease; 1 oz lemon juice; ½ oz simple syrup; 5 dashes ATB Herb Garden Bitters

Botanical Spirit · Citrus · Functional Spirit · Herb Garden Bitters · Herbal · Lemon · Low calorie · Rich · Simple syrup · Sour · Tart

When in doubt, make a sour. The classic sour cocktail format—featuring drinks like the Whiskey Sour, Margarita, and Gimlet—is an unbeatable style of cocktail that balances sweet and sour perfectly while showcasing the flavors of the base spirit. It’s also a format that translates well to non-alcoholic cocktails, because while 0% ABV spirits don’t have the same punch as alcohol, the combination of citrus and syrup makes up for it.

In this Garden Sour, we've added a few dashes of our Herb Garden bitters, featuring notes of mint, rosemary, and eucalyptus, for an aromatic lift that complements gin and non-alcoholic gin alternatives. We make ours with Aplós Ease, a 0% ABV spirit with light botanical flavors of cucumber, yuzu, and basil, plus calming ingredients like L-theanine, lion’s mane mushroom, and magnesium.

If you want to amp up the herbal flavors, add a sprig of rosemary, thyme, or mint to your shaker—but this non-alcoholic sour is perfect either way.

Garden Sour (Non-Alcoholic)

Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users

Servings

Cook Time

3 minutes

Calories

This springtime sour packs a punch with Aplós Ease and Herb Garden bitters.

Author:

All The Bitter

Ingredients

2 oz Aplós Ease
1 oz lemon juice
½ oz simple syrup
5 dashes ATB Herb Garden Bitters

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Directions

Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake for 6–8 seconds.
(Optionally, add a sprig of thyme, rosemary, or mint before shaking for an extra herbal lift.)
Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

Recipe Note

WHAT IS A SOUR COCKTAIL?

The sour is one of the most foundational formats in cocktail history, based on a simple ratio of spirit, citrus, and sugar. From the Whiskey Sour to the Margarita, this structure works because of its balance—bright acidity rounded out by just enough sweetness, with the base spirit at the center. It’s a format that translates especially well to mocktail recipes, where citrus and syrup help add the body and structure that 0% ABV spirits sometimes lack.

In this Garden Sour, our alcohol-free Herb Garden bitters add a fresh, aromatic layer of mint, rosemary, and eucalyptus, bringing depth and lift to the drink. Paired with a botanical non-alcoholic spirit like Aplós Ease, the result is a balanced, herb-forward sour that feels complete and intentional—the opposite of your basic Shirley Temple mocktail recipes.

ABOUT APLÓS EASE

Aplós Ease is a nonalcoholic spirit designed to mimic the structure and complexity of traditional gin, without tasting like any standard gin, making it an ideal base for a sour (similar to gin in a Gimlet). With notes of cucumber, basil, and yuzu, it complements the fresh citrus and herbal elements in this recipe without overpowering them. More than just great tasting, Aplós Ease is loaded with L-theanine, magnesium, and lion’s mane mushroom—which add a calming, mood-enhancing element to the drink.

A NOTE ON DILUTION

Non-alcoholic cocktails can easily become overdiluted, so it’s important to manage how much water is added to the drink while shaking. One simple trick: keep your non-alcoholic spirits in the fridge so they’re chilled before making the drink. Starting cold means your ice melts more slowly, preserving both flavor and concentration. Use solid, high-quality ice—avoid small or melting pieces that will quickly dilute the drink—shake briefly but hard, and serve up in a chilled coupe glass for the best results.

COCKTAIL BITTERS IN MOCKTAIL RECIPES

Cocktail bitters provide depth and balance, rounding out sweet and sour flavors while adding bite. Since All The Bitter is completely 0% ABV (unlike traditional bitters, which are around 45% alcohol), you can use as much as you like to dial in flavor without affecting the ABV of your drink.

Want something easy?

Not every night requires a complicated cocktail. Our favorite easy drink is bitters & soda—refreshing, balanced, and good for your gut. Just add a few dashes of our non-alcoholic bitters to sparkling water, with lemon or lime if you're feeling fancy.

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