Melrose Couple Launches Booze-Free Craft Cocktail Kits

MELROSE, MA — Quitting drinking can be impossible, and for many, the lack of options surrounding drinks at functions can make this process even harder.

A Melrose couple found this was often the case when they wanted to feel included in celebrations without the booze, so in turn, they created their own "zero-proof cocktail experience."

Raising the Bar is an alcohol-free craft cocktail subscription box kit that offers seasonal and thematic drinks that explore unique flavor combinations.

Co-founders Abbie and Devin Romanul of Melrose said Abbie had just stopped drinking and were heading to a friend's house for a New Year's Eve party in 2018, thinking of how bummed out they would be with no real fun booze-free alternatives to celebrate with their friends when the idea first hit them.

"When I quit drinking, I really missed out on the creativity and festiveness of cocktail culture,"
Abbie says. "I remember looking online for something to fill that void…when I realized the
product I'd imagined didn't exist, it was a no-brainer to make it ourselves."

It took about a year to fully orchestrate, but the Romanul's were able to lock down the idea for their business in February 2020, just in time for a global pandemic.

While stressors during this time sent many directly to the bottle, and others creating craft cocktails at home, Abbie and Devin thought of ways to create their own booze-less craft cocktails while stuck inside raising three kids.

For those who are sober, sober-curious, or simply looking to take a break, Raising the Bar offers all of the ritual and creativity of crafting a cocktail without the alcohol. Each kit has everything you need to make at least 4 servings of the drink of the month and includes different pieces of barware to expand your own at-home tools.

Some companies offer ready-to-drink booze-free cocktails, but Abbie says that takes the fun away from the experience of actually making your own delicious cocktail.

"During quarantine last year, I needed a way to introduce a non-alcoholic cocktail to my week, and this box was the perfect answer," one subscriber says. "The first cocktail I received was a game-changer."

As Raising the Bar grew, corporations and groups noticed, and started asking for custom kits
to be used for virtual events and celebrations. The business has even expanded to offer beverage consultation and custom boxes for businesses and other groups.

Abbie says they worked with Northeastern University to provide graduation drinks.

With no immediate plans for a storefront yet, you can experience your own craft zero-proof cocktails from the comfort of your own home for less than the price of a night out, a monthly fee of $48.

The Romanul's are excited to see where their business takes them, hoping to expand their business to music festivals or other celebrations, increasing their mission to create an inclusive drinking culture.