For better or worse, running and drinking often go hand in hand—at least here in Oregon. If that’s not your thing, no worries. But if you enjoy a post-run sip, you’re certainly in the right state.
As someone who lives in the heart of one of the best wine regions in the world (there are dozens of wineries within 30 minutes of my house), I get around. Over the years, I’ve visited more than 270 unique wineries and nearly 880 breweries. I started tracking them about a decade ago, and it’s become a fun little hobby.
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I’ve come around to the idea that not every post-run beverage needs to involve alcohol. I still very much enjoy a good beer, cider, or cocktail after a run, but sometimes you want something refreshing without committing to the booze.
We were recently sent a variety pack from Bar Diver, a company making canned sparkling and cream cocktails, as well non-alcoholic mocktails. The latter lineup takes some pretty familiar cocktail classics and gives them the ready-to-drink treatment:
- Daiquiri
- G&T
- Negroni
- Margarita
What I appreciated most was that these actually taste like cocktails rather than someone pouring a bunch of fruit flavoring into a can and calling it a day. They’re made with juices, oils, and botanicals, with each can coming in between 50 and 100 calories. There are also no artificial sweeteners or a long list of ingredients that makes you wonder what exactly you just drank.
The slim 8.4-ounce cans are easy to toss in the fridge and crack open when you’re ready. You can drink them straight from the can, although pouring one over ice definitely gives it a little more of a cocktail feel. They can also work as mixers if you want to customize things a bit.
The variety was probably my favorite part. The Daiquiri brings the citrusy, tart side of things, while the G&T is a little more botanical. The Negroni has that bitter, grown-up cocktail profile, and the Margarita is exactly what you want when you’re craving something bright and citrusy.
For Oregon runners, this feels like a pretty natural fit. We know our way around an IPA, a Pinot, or a post-race brewery stop, but not every finish line calls for alcohol. Sometimes you have another run tomorrow. Sometimes you’re driving. Sometimes you just don’t feel like drinking. And sometimes you simply want something that tastes more interesting than sparkling water.
These don’t feel like consolation prizes for skipping the booze. They feel like an actual cocktail option that happens to leave the alcohol out.
