Hackamore doesn’t taste like vodka, but it was picked for best non alcoholic vodka because it blends well in drinks where you would normally use vodka. This is especially true for mule mocktails.
It’s flavor is delicate and slightly lime-ish.
Hackamore is an energy drink, and has the same amount of caffeine as an 8.4oz can of energy beverage in only a 2oz shot. Not only that, it adds vitamins like Niacinamide and Vitamin B-12. So, if you’re skipping the alcohol for health purposes, you could technically skip the coffee with this as well.
Bottom line: It performed well in the below mocktail testing, and given its delicate nature, you could probably mix it in most non-alcoholic drinks for an extra boost of caffeine and vitamins, without changing the flavor much.
For a deeper dive into tasting this product and trying out mocktails, keep reading below. I hope more non-alcoholic spirits start introducing vitamins that add value to drinking alternative beverages.
Best enjoyed in: Cucumber Mint Mule
Ingredients, Nutrition, and Storage
In order to thoughtfully review a product, it must be tested. Here’s the method taken for taste testing all non-alcoholic drinks:
What does Hackamore taste like….
- Neat
- On ice
- On ice with tonic or appropriate single mixer
- Brand recommended mocktails
- Get creative
#1 Neat
Sipped neat, Hackamore has a mild flavor of sweet lime with a bitter finish.
#2 On ice
Hackmore tastes sweeter on ice, and it coats your tongue for a smooth finish. It’s bright, but somewhat neutral in flavor.
#3 On ice with tonic
I used the brand recommended drink recipe The Virgin Filly, which is Hackamore and tonic. In this beverage, Hackamore is almost indiscernible. So if you like tonic water with a squeeze of lime, I would add a squeeze of lime to this. Just think of Hackamore as a flavorless boost of caffeine and vitamins in this beverage.
I wouldn’t call this drink a substitute for a vodka tonic or a gin and tonic. There are much more flavorful non-alcoholic spirits to pick for the pairing. Here’s the recipe for a clean, uncomplicated way to get a boost of energy:
The Virgin Filly
Ingredients:
- 1.5oz Hackamore
- Tonic water
- Lime and rosemary for garnish
Directions:
Combine hackamore and tonic in a glass filled with ice. Lightly stir and garnish with a lime wedge and rosemary sprig.
#4 Brand Recommended Mocktails Featuring Hackamore
Hackamore lists some more recipes on their website, and I always like to start mocktail tests with brand recommended drinks. Here are a few of the recipes featuring Hackamore energy shot and what they actually taste like:
Flying Change
Ingredients:
- 1.5oz Hackamore
- Soda water
- Orange slice & mint for garnish
Directions: Add Hackamore to a rocks glass filled with ice. Top with soda water and garnish with an orange slice and mint sprig.
Verdict: This isn’t great. It’s kinda flavorless, and Hackamore doesn’t have enough flavor to carry this drink.
The Whipper-In
Ingredients:
- 1.5oz Hackamore
- Soda water
- 4 thin slices of cucumber
- Lemon wedge
Directions:
Fill a Collins glass with ice and slide cucumber wedges in along the side of the glass. Pour in Hackamore, then top with soda water. Garnish with a lemon wedge.
Verdict: This Hackamore mocktail is light and fresh. I love the flavor combination of citrus and cucumber. I can’t pick it out from the other citrus in the beverage, but Hackamore blends right in this mix. I would definitely drink this on a hot afternoon for a pick-me-up.
Heart Room
Ingredients:
- 1.5oz Hackamore
- Lemonade
- 4 cubes watermelon
- 4 leaves basil
Directions:
Mix ice, watermelon cubes, and 3 basil leaves in a Collins glass. Add Hackamore, and top with lemonade. Stir gently, and garnish with a basil leaf.
Verdict: This is a nice summer garden beverage. Great way to add some vitamins and energy in your day.
#5 Get Creative:
The brand recommended non-alcoholic cocktails were all very light, and Hackamore didn’t seem to stand out in them. Since it blends in beverages well and usually vodka mocktails aren’t made to taste the spirit, I thought it might be a good substitute for vodka in a non alcoholic Moscow Mule, and I was right. After this classic mocktail, I kept experimenting with flavor. I loved it with cucumber in The Whipper-In, so I decided to blend the two. Here’s that creation:
Cucumber Mint Mule
Directions:
- 1.5oz Hackamore
- .5oz Simple syrup
- 2 Cucumber slices
- 6 Mint leaves + sprig for garnish
- Fever Tree Refreshingly Light Ginger Beer
- Lime wedge
Directions:
Muddle cucumber slices, mint and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add hackamore and shake. Strain into an ice filled rocks glass. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with lime wedge and mint sprig.
Verdict: This mocktail is absolutely delicious. Cucumber and mint give this mule mocktail a boost.
Where to Buy Hackamore
Click here for the best available price for Hackamore Premium Energy on Amazon.
Conclusion
There aren’t many contenders for non alcoholic vodka, but Hackamore Energy definitely stands out with the added vitamins and caffeine. I love the idea of energy drink mocktails. You get more for what you’re making. For more tasty non-alcoholic mules, you should check out this article devoted to them: Ginger Beer Mocktails with Quality Non-Alcooholic Spirits.
Hackamore Ingredients and Nutrition Facts
Ingredients:
Filtered Water, Natural Flavors, Citric Acid, Natural Caffeine, Niacinamide, Calcium Pantothenate, Monk Fruit Extract, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Pyridoxine HCL, Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12), D-Biotin.
VEGAN, GLUTEN FREE, KOSHER, NO SUGAR, ZERO CALORIES, NO ADDED SWEETENERS – 80mg Caffeine in a 2oz shot. (equal to 8.4oz bev energy can)
Nutrition: 0 calories, Fat 0g, Sugar 0g* | 80mg Caffeine in a 2oz shot
*Nutrition information was found on the website and might be subject to change.
Storage: Refrigeration is not necessary, but recommended for keeping it cool for quick mixing.
