Raising the Bar

What's in the box: A typical box has non-alcoholic spirits, wines or mixers for 2 to 3+ recipes and 10+ servings, along with recipe cards, garnishes and sometimes bar tools.

Raising the Bar is a US monthly subscription for people who want to make good alcohol-free drinks at home without researching every bottle themselves. Each box is built around a theme. It includes non-alcoholic spirits and mixers, recipe cards with mixology tips, and garnishes, bar tools or accessories depending on the month. The company promises 10+ servings across several recipes, plus some ready-to-drink options, a themed playlist and offers from brand partners. Not every month is a cocktail kit, though. The October box, The New Vintage, is a non-alcoholic wine selection with a red blend, a sparkling cuvée, two spritzes, Sanpellegrino Zero lemonade, orange bitters and dehydrated orange wheels. That variety is useful if you want to explore the zero-proof market. If you only want to mix cocktails, check the theme before each renewal. Pricing is easy to find. A one-time box costs $80 plus shipping. The three-month plan brings it to $73 a box, and longer prepaid plans start at $65 a month. Prepaid plans are charged in full at checkout, and the three-month plan has a minimum term. Renewals happen on the 1st of the month, and boxes ship around the 10th. This is a premium price, so the value comes mostly from the curation and discovery rather than the number of drinks.