“Cocktail Guru” shakes up zero proof fun
Jonathan Pogash is the "Cocktail Guru" who teaches people how to mix zero proof mocktails. Photos by Mari Huglin 
Pogash brought a variety of zero proof liquors he mixed drinks with. 
The library hosted the event for young professionals in the area. 
Pogash talked about each ingredient as he added them. 
Pogash poured out drinks for everyone to try. 
Amanda Melville got in on the action shaking a drink. 
Pogash taught Melville how to open the drink shaker. 
Tatum Matthews also got to try shaking a drink. 
Tatum Matthews and Amanda Melville enjoy their drinks. 
Pogash helped edit a mixology book which was avalaible for purchase at the event. 
Pogash shows the audience different ways to mix drinks. 
Pogash stirs a drink which would become a zero proof Old Fashioned. 
Another audience member got to shake a drink.
Jonathan Pogash is the "Cocktail Guru" who teaches people how to mix zero proof mocktails. Photos by Mari Huglin
Pogash brought a variety of zero proof liquors he mixed drinks with.
The library hosted the event for young professionals in the area.
Pogash talked about each ingredient as he added them.
Pogash poured out drinks for everyone to try.
Amanda Melville got in on the action shaking a drink.
Pogash taught Melville how to open the drink shaker.
Tatum Matthews also got to try shaking a drink.
Tatum Matthews and Amanda Melville enjoy their drinks.
Pogash helped edit a mixology book which was avalaible for purchase at the event.
Pogash shows the audience different ways to mix drinks.
Pogash stirs a drink which would become a zero proof Old Fashioned.
Another audience member got to shake a drink.
MATTAPOISETT — After working in bars and restaurants for years, Jonathan Pogash, the “Cocktail Guru” teaches people how to make zero proof cocktails also known as mocktails.
On Tuesday, March 31 Pogash of Dartmouth held a non-alcoholic mocktail class for young professionals at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library.
Pogash welcomed guests with non-alcoholic drinks before explaining the history of mixology and introducing the drinks he would be making.
One misconception Pogash addressed was that zero proof mocktails are just “a bunch of different juices put together”. He said it is easy to make these beverages at home with simple ingredients and a little bit of technique.
“I don't take it too seriously, it's not rocket science and it's about having fun and experimenting and just trying to create something,” Pogash said.
Olivia Coucci of New Bedford who previously lived in Mattapoisett said she attended the event because she and her friends were looking for a place to go out.
Coucci said she wanted to meet some other young people and learn something new. Her favorite part of the night was asking questions and learning about the history of mixology.
Coucci said that she is not a big drinker but gained more confidence on what to order in a bar.
“I really loved the drinks here and it kind of gave me a little more confidence to be like ‘you know what, I'm enjoying a little drink without drinking alcohol’,” she said.
She is excited to use her knowledge to mix drinks at home for her friends.
“I love hosting a lot and so having friends come over and being able to provide something for them is probably what I would take away from this more than for myself,” Coucci said.
Amanda Melville of Pembroke and Tatum Matthews of Dedham were invited by one of their friends in Marion to the event.
Melville had a previous interest in mixing drinks and wanted to explore non-alcoholic versions. She was surprised by a pomegranate-coffee mocktail and loved getting to shake a drink herself.
“I liked doing the shaker, I felt super honored,” Melville said. “I like how interactive it was as much as it could be.”
Matthews said he feels like there is pressure for younger people to drink when they go out, but learning about mocktails made him more confident to order one.
“You can still make a non-alcoholic drink and still be a part of that but not drink,” Matthews said.
Pogash said he hopes everyone can feel confident in making zero proof drinks.
“If you have the basic technique and ingredients, then you can do it,” Pogash said. “It's really not hard.”
