AU Law School’s Mocktail Event Encourages Alcohol-Free Socializing
February 09, 2023
American University Washington College of Law’s (WCL) Office of Student Affairs drew a crowd of more than 200 to a February 7 event intended to support student interaction in an alcohol-free environment. David Jaffe, associate dean of student affairs, said, “We wanted to host an event where law students could laugh hard without drinking hard. Beyond the ongoing challenges with substance use in the legal profession, individuals may wish not to drink for all sorts of reasons; this event gave them the opportunity to consider alternatives in a relaxed and supportive environment.”
WCL alum Dan Binstock entertained attendees with his piano skills, challenging students to stump him by starting tunes he would then finish by ear, while six teams of faculty members engaged in a friendly but spirited competition to craft the most compelling zero-proof cocktail, samples of which they served to attendees. Circulating among them, incognito, was celebrity judge Gigi Arandid, owner of the soon-to-be opened Binge Bar, the District’s first entirely nonalcoholic bar.
Photo credit: Keith Pierce, American University Washington College of Law
The competition was stiffer than the drinks. Professors Christine Farley (shown above, on right) and Angi Porter won Arandid’s award with their “Contort Cocktail,” a tropical twist on the margarita consisting of spirit-free Mezcal, jalapeno, pineapple juice, lime juice, and agave syrup, finished with a pineapple and cilantro garnish and Tajín seasoned salt on the rim.
Students were invited to vote by phone for their favorite mocktail using the QR codes displayed at each serving station. They chose the concoction of Professors Ira Robbins and Steve Wermiel: the “Spirit of Liberty” mocktail.
The event came on the heels of Dry January, a month when many choose to forego alcohol consumption as an exercise in health and self-discipline, and amidst changing generational attitudes about drinking.
Numerous studies have established that drug and alcohol abuse are common in the legal profession. For example, the American Bar Association estimates that problem drinking occurs among attorneys at twice the national rate.
Social and networking events commonly center around the consumption of alcohol, which can discourage those who choose not to consume alcohol for various reasons. Although some professionals suggest that students and lawyers might not turn out unless alcohol is on offer, the response to the WCL event proves them wrong.
The winners of the competition received a trophy, with promises to return it next year, to be passed Stanley Cup style to 2024’s master mixologists.
Contort Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 oz pineapple juice
- 1 ½ oz spirit-free mezcal
- 1 ½ oz lime juice
- 1 oz agave syrup
- 1 jalapeño round, thinly sliced
- Tajín salt
- pineapple wedge
- cilantro
Steps
- Place Tajín salt in a shallow dish. Wet the rim of a rocks glass with a slice of lime and gently rotate the rim in the Tajín to coat the edge of the glass completely; set the glass aside.
- Add the spirit-free mezcal and jalapeno round into a shaker and gently muddle. Remove jalapeno seeds before muddling for a milder flavor.
- Add the pineapple juice, lime juice, and agave syrup into the shaker with ice. Shake until well-chilled.
- Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with the pineapple wedge and cilantro.
