A good evening without alcohol in it. Real drinks, real food, and coffee where the nightcap would go.
Citrus cordial, tonic, a sprig of rosemary, ice. Make it with the same care as a cocktail and it drinks like one.
In My Bar Shelf ↗Roast chicken, mushrooms, things with real browning on them. Savory depth carries the evening on its own.
A blackcurrant shrub topped with soda. The vinegar edge keeps it from being juice, and the dark fruit stands up to the food.
End with the best coffee you can make: a careful espresso, or a small pour-over from the best bag on the shelf. That is the nightcap.
In My Coffee Shelf ↗