Sharing sobriety & serving inclusivity with booze-free bevvies.

After decades in hospitality, I’m convinced that most bartenders are either hungover, very disciplined, in recovery or “sober-curious.”

 Recently, years of self-examination changed my curiosity into an alcohol-free daily ritual. And I have no desire to ride the wagon back to ‘boozeville’ any time soon. 

I’m not alone. The trend toward living alcohol-free is on the rise and those of us with a will to embrace a healthy, sober lifestyle no longer have to feel excluded, embarrassed or forced to drink crappy, one-note beverages. 

“The growing industry of zero-proof spirits is on the rise and growing exponentially,” says Taylor Boyd, veteran mixologist and owner/operator of “Refind” Alcohol-Free Bar (Bartender Rental LLC).

“Brands like Seedlip, Ritual and Lyre’s are offering alcohol-free tequila, gin and rum using botanical extracts and healthy plant-based ingredients,” Taylor says. “Let’s face it, no one actually loves the taste of pure ethanol. That is the whole point of distilling with flavors — to mask the taste.” 

Taylor started his mobile bar service in 2019, and now channels his experience to reflect his newfound perspective on alcohol and its place in social gatherings. He decided to refocus his career to accommodate his own sober lifestyle, and the timing is spot-on for this critical juncture in mixology. 

“My journey took a transformative turn in 2022 when I embraced sobriety,” says the 35-year-old pioneer. “This personal decision was not just a lifestyle change but a moment of clarity regarding the direction of my professional future.” 

Like me, Taylor shies away from saying “mocktail.” He prefers to elevate ‘alcohol-free beverages’ by sprucing them up with ingredients like concentrated teas, vinegars and shrubs.

“Refind is more than a name change,” Taylor says. “It represents a fundamental shift towards inclusivity, wellness and the art of mixology minus the alcohol. And if I continued to serve alcohol, it would feel inauthentic.”

His mission is to change the narrative and redefine what it means to enjoy a drink. 

“We want to cater to everyone’s desire to celebrate, connect and enjoy the moment, regardless of their drinking preferences,” he says. 

To learn more about Taylor or to book Refind for an event, go to refindbar.com.