Cocktail Corner: Sipping on Sipp Cocktails

Pomegrante Mojo LemonDrop, photo and recipe courtesy Sipp Sparkling Organics.

Pomegrante Mojo LemonDrop, photo and recipe courtesy Sipp Sparkling Organics.

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic!  By Leslie Dinaberg

We’re always looking for simple cocktail mixers around here, so when the sample box of Sipp Sparkling Organics arrived, I was eager to try them.

Company founder Beth Wilson-Parentice began experimenting with flavors after being laid off from her corporate job. “After many inspiring conversations with my friends, I knew there had to be something here…something relating to creating, mixing and entertaining,” she writes.  “After researching, I saw a growing niche.  A niche that I was already creating in my home entertaining with natural and organic cocktails!  Ah ha!  That’s it!  I will be the one who can help people entertain naturally, but with style too!  Eco-chic!”

She says, “My hope is to inspire you to live your passion and be prepared for your moment of opportunity. Sipp all started with a passion. A passion for superior taste, creating, entertaining and wanting to find MY passion. As they say, when you are handed lemons make lemonade (or cocktails, in my case)!”

After researching costs to create beverages, Wilson-Parentice decided to go in the direction of non-alcoholic brand.  “The costs were less and I liked the idea of creating a specialty beverage for people who don’t drink alcohol but also offer the versatility as a cocktail mixer,” she says.

It’s certainly been a hit. Entrepreneur just named Sipp one of the best entrepreneurial companies in America and Sipp is now widely available at Target and other selected retailers such as BevMo and Pacific Health Foods in Carpinteria (I also spotted it at Luna Grill in the Five Points center recently), and has six different flavors: Mojo Berry, Ginger Blossom, Zesty Orange, Lemon Flower, Ruby Rose and Summer Pear. 

Blackberry Mint Margarita, photo and recipe courtesy Sipp Sparkling Organics.

Blackberry Mint Margarita, photo and recipe courtesy Sipp Sparkling Organics.

We started the taste test out by mixing the Sipp sodas with Vodka. The Zesty Orange was my favorite, combining the flavors of blood orange, lime and jalapeno for a spicy yet lightly sweet cocktail. I also really liked the Mojo Berry (inspired by a berry Mojito), a layering of blackberry, mint and lime flavors. Lemon Flower (with lemon, Elderflower and tarragon) was another crowd favorite, but each flavor had its fans. Ginger Blossom (with ginger, vanilla and lime flavors) was my favorite without the vodka and Ruby Rose (with grapefruit, honey and rosemary) and Summer Pear (with pear, green tea and honey flavors) were also quite good.

The Ginger Blossom was also tasty with Rum and the Zesty Orange paired well with Tequila. We’ll do some more experimenting soon.

Meanwhile, Sipp has a some more complicated recipes to try on the website, including a Blackberry Mint Margarita, Zesty Orange Margarita, Pear Vanilla Cocktail, Lemon Flower Martini, Pomegranite Mojo Lemondrop, Winter Spritzer Punch, Lemon Flower Sparkler and more.

Lemon Flower Sparkler from Sipp Eco Beverage Co. on Vimeo.

I hope you check out Sipp and let us know what you think. Cheers! Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Leslie Dinaberg

When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons on January 5, 2018.