Sober-curious. Dry January. Sober October. Whichever way you slice it, cutting back on alcohol is a rising trend among consumers – which means the next garnish you slice just might be for a mocktail. As increasing numbers of people seek out mocktails to order at a restaurant, it’s no surprise that 40% of restaurateurs plan to add more non-alcoholic drink options to their menus in the next six months.
As CNBC News reports, “More than 40% of Americans [said] they [were] trying to drink less alcohol in 2024, a jump from 34% a year prior. The number [went] up to 61% for Generation Z.”
In addition, according to a 2023 Gallup survey, “62% percent of adults under the age of 35 say that they drink…down from 72% two decades ago.”
Businesses that keep up with changing consumer preferences and restaurant industry trends will always be the ones poised for long-term success. So, in this guide to mocktails at restaurants, we’ll help you do exactly that. We’ll explore:
- What is a mocktail?
- 20 popular mocktails to order at a restaurant or bar
- Why you should consider offering mocktails at your venue
You’ll be brimming with Dry January ideas in no time. Let’s get started.
What is a Mocktail?
A mocktail is a non-alcoholic drink that’s crafted to be just as delicious as traditional cocktails and well drinks – without the booze! The ingredients go beyond a simple juice blend. Classic mocktails at restaurants have the same complexity and flavor profiles as their cocktail counterparts.
For instance, popular mocktails often feature a blend of syrups, herbs, spices, and sparkling beverages to create unique, layered flavors. This allows guests who want to skip the alcohol to still enjoy something sophisticated to sip on, making mocktails some of the best non-alcoholic drinks to order at a bar.
20 Best Mocktail Ideas
Now that we’ve covered the basics of classic mocktails, let’s walk through a few specific drinks to give you some Dry January ideas. Happy hour never tasted so good!
1. Shirley Temple
One of the most famous mocktails on our list, the Shirley Temple blends soda (ginger ale or lemon lime) with sweet grenadine. It was created in the 1930s and named after an iconic child star – and it’s still a beloved booze-free beverage today.
2. Virgin Margarita
No need to limit your margs to Monday with this delightful drink! Swap tequila and triple sec for agave nectar and you’ve got yourself one of the best mocktails for Dry January. At Las Margaritas, a Mexican restaurant with four locations in Washington, guests can choose from 14 flavors of non-alcoholic Margaritas.
3. Virgin Mary
An alcohol-free take on the Bloody Mary. This mocktail features tomato juice, spices, and Worcestershire sauce. You can get extra creative with your garnish for this drink – think celery, pickled asparagus, or spicy beans with limes or olives. We’ve even seen mini burgers used!
4. Virgin Caesar
Canada’s twist on the Bloody Mary. Instead of tomato juice, use Clamato juice, which is a combination of tomato and clam juice. It might sound a little unusual, but trust us, it’s delicious (in fact, it’s one of the most popular mocktails in Canada)! Dill pickle or jalapeño juice adds a garlicky or spicy twist.
5. Phony Negroni
Nestled in Toronto’s upscale Yorkville neighborhood, The Oxley Public House knows how to mix up incredible Dry January mocktails. Their St. Agrestis Phony Negroni is a must-try. Its citrusy, floral flavors deliver an elegant, alcohol-free twist on the traditional Negroni.
6. Virgin Piña Colada
This creamy tropical drink is such a classic, it even appears in song lyrics. Everyone can enjoy the mocktail version, and it’s as simple as blending cream of coconut, pineapple juice, and some ice. That’s something worth singing about!
7. Virgin Espresso Martini
Coffee lovers will adore this classy mocktail made with chilled espresso, honey, heavy cream, and vanilla bean paste, making it an ideal pick-me-up for any time of day. It’s also a staple on the menu at Dallas, Texas-based Momo’s Coffeehouse.
8. Alcohol-Free Sangria
This Spanish beverage makes for easy drinking, which is no problem when there’s no alcohol! To make your very own virgin Sangria, use non-alcoholic red wine, chopped fruit like fresh apples and oranges, and sparkling water.
9. Virgin Cosmopolitan
Bring Sex and the City vibes to your bar menu by offering an alcohol-free Cosmopolitan – possibly one of the most fun classic mocktails to order at a restaurant. It contains cranberry juice, lime juice, orange juice, and a splash of sparkling water. And don’t forget the martini glass!
10. Matcha Mint Garden & Tonic
Show health-conscious guests and tea drinkers alike some love with the Matcha Mint Garden & Tonic, a recipe from Colorado’s Yampa Valley Kitchen. With mint simple syrup, green juice, lime juice, matcha powder, and more, your customers are sure to feel refreshed after ordering this mocktail.
11. Blueberry Basil Smash
Sometimes served with gin or bourbon, the mocktail version without these spirits is just as fantastic. All you need are blueberries, basil, honey, lemon juice, and soda water (or kombucha for a fun twist).
12. Non-Alcoholic Rum Punch
Latin American street food restaurant El Camino’s in Vancouver is serving up tropical vibes with its virgin rum punch. The mocktail blends spiced and hibiscus syrup with lemon, lime, grapefruit, pineapple, and orange juice. Garnished with a pineapple slice, a maraschino cherry, and a fresh sprig of mint, it’s like an island vacation in a glass!
13. Peach Bellini Mocktail
The Bellini was created in 1948 at the legendary Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy – a favorite haunt of icons like Humphrey Bogart, Truman Capote, and Ernest Hemingway. Today, you can mix up the mocktail version using peach puree, simple syrup, and non-alcoholic Prosecco.
14. Virgin Mimosa
Speaking of day drinking, why not have a few Mimosas at breakfast when they’re alcohol-free? Your guests will love the virgin Mimosa, made with orange juice and non-alcoholic sparkling white wine. It’s the perfect beverage for a morning out with friends.
15. Lychee Spritz
Toronto restaurant DaiLo is popular for its creative Asian fusion dishes, and brings the same innovation to its mocktail menu. DaiLo’s Lychee Spritz mocktail is a refreshing blend of lychee puree, citrus, and sparkling water.
16. Virgin Amaretto Sour
Swap the liqueur for almond syrup, keep the lemon juice and egg white foam, and you’ve got a virgin Amaretto Sour! Your guests can imagine they’re in Italy as they sip this sweet drink.
17. Virgin Old Fashioned
Beloved by television characters like Mad Men’s Don Draper and many real-life celebrities alike, the Old Fashioned can also be made as a mocktail. Replace whiskey with black tea and mix with simple syrup, orange bitters, aromatic bitters, and ice for an alcohol-free version, like the one on the menu at Luca Restaurant in Calgary, Alberta.
18. Mint Julep Mocktail
The official drink of the Kentucky Derby, the Mint Julep tastes great without alcohol, too. Use mint simple syrup, lemonade, sparkling water, and crushed ice. Garnish with, you guessed it, mint! (Don’t worry – your guests don’t need to wait until Derby Day to enjoy this).
19. Mango Mule
For this refreshing tropical mocktail, combine mango puree, ginger beer, lime juice, honey, and sparkling water. Garnish with mint and you’re done.
20. The Jubilee
This mocktail is the brainchild of the Sunken Harbor Club, a maritime-themed bar in downtown Brooklyn, New York. It’s inspired by the Cherry Phosphate, a popular soda fountain drink from the 1920s.
Why Offer Mocktails at Your Restaurant or Bar?
We’ve now shared a few famous mocktails and unique creations to inspire you. Next, let’s explore why adding mocktails to your menu is a winning strategy.
Allows You to Capitalize on Dry January
Promoting a selection of Dry January mocktails is a smart move as part of your bar marketing plan. After the holiday season, business tends to slow down for many restaurants, so why not take this opportunity to draw a crowd to your venue to enjoy some innovative mocktails?
Provides an Option for Designated Drivers & Underaged Consumers
Offering drivers and underaged guests non-alcoholic drinks to order at a bar is both practical and thoughtful. Giving these guests fun and sophisticated options beyond soda or water enhances their experience at your restaurant, encouraging them to come back. Plus, it promotes health and safety!
Makes Your Restaurant Accessible to Sober and Sober-Curious Consumers
With more people skipping the booze in their beverages on a regular basis, providing alcohol-free options shows that your restaurant is in tune with consumer preferences – beyond just serving mocktails for Dry January or Sober October. Not only does this benefit your existing customers, but it can also attract a new audience looking for broader drink choices.
Boosts Profitability for your Business
Considering that restaurants’ profit margins are notoriously slim, any way to keep more cash in your bank account is worth exploring. Many mocktails have lower ingredient costs than alcoholic beverages, yet similar price points on menus, which means they can give you a high-margin option capable of contributing in a big way to your bottom line.
Shows Your Restaurant or Bar’s Creative Side
Offering a robust mocktail menu is a great way for your business to stand out by demonstrating creativity. Guests will appreciate the attention to detail – not to mention that a signature mocktail can quickly become a fan favorite and boost word-of-mouth hype for your restaurant.
With this list of 20 mocktails to order at a restaurant, your restaurant will be ready with great options for all of your guests. Cheers to that!
Katherine is the Content Marketing Manager at TouchBistro, where she writes about trending topics in food and restaurants. The opposite of a picky eater, she’ll try (almost) anything at least once. Whether it’s chowing down on camel burgers in Morocco or snacking on octopus dumplings in Japan, she’s always up for new food experiences.
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