Make Dry January a breeze and treat yourself to a flavorful booze-free cocktail. There are tons of zero-proof options on the menu this month (and beyond) all around Boston, whether you’re looking for a substitute for your go-to adult bev or just a fancy lil drink to help you stick to your 2024 goals. Have your pick from options like phony negronis and spritzes to fruity and bubbly refreshments. Peruse some of the non-alcoholic drinks below, and plan your next outing.
Alcove – Queen’s Bee
Have a night out in the West End and keep your wits about you with a pair of zero proof cocktails at Alcove. There’s the Queen’s Bee, which is a spirit-free riff on the classic Bee’s Knees cocktail and made with Seedlip Garden 108, honey syrup and lemon. Or check out the No Wake, which is made with unfermented Pinot Noir juice from Navarro Vineyards, chai, and pineapple, which will scratch your itch for a spiced sangria.
Buttermilk & Bourbon – Voodoo Vitality
Put a little pep in your step with this vibrant booze-free sipper from the mocktail menu at Buttermilk & Bourbon. Taking its cues from B&B’s blue haired chef-owner Jason Santos, the Voodoo Vitality (available in Boston and Watertown) features Lyre’s dry London spirit, Fever Tree elderflower tonic and blue spirulina lemonade for a tasty bevvy that’ll boost your mood with no morning-after ill-effects.
Capo – Blossom
Yes, you can make it through a night at Capo without drinking! They’ve made it extra easy with a pair of tasty NA tipples. Try a Blossom, which is made with Mediterranean orange, lemongrass, ginger and egg white. When you’re ready for round two, order up a Blackberry Italian Soda with blackberry, lavender, cream, soda to keep the party going.
Citrus & Salt – Hangover Who?
You can lean in to the new year, new you mentality with spirited but spirit-free drinks at Citrus & Salt. They’ve rolled out a curated collection of alcohol-free cocktails including Hangover Who?, made New London Gin Midnight Sun, Fever Tree, yuzu lime and hibiscus. You can sip your way through the whole menu and still be bright-eyed and bushy tailed the next day (no matter how many you have).
Davio’s – Lavender Butterfly Martini
If you’re putting the vodka and gin aside for a while, there’s still no reason to say no to a Lavender Butterfly Martini at Davio’s. The herbal take on the classic cocktail is made with tonic, lavender blue magic, lavender and lemon, and is an on-trend treat without the heat. Davio’s is also serving up Cucumber Refreshers (soda water, cucumbers, simple and lemon); Spicy Palomas (grapefruit soda, jalapenos, grapefruit and lime pomegranate), and Ginger Mules (ginger beer, pomegranate, simple and lime) at all of their Massachusetts locations, so you can sip until you find your perfect pick.
Forcella – Blueberry Rosemary Smash
If you’re in need of something refreshing yet sobering on a stroll through the North End, swing into Forcella for a Blueberry Rosemary Smash. This non-alcoholic sipper is made with muddled blueberry, simple syrup, lemon juice, sparkling mineral water and a rosemary sprig, and it’ll be available all month and into the rest of the winter at this North Square favorite.
Franklin Cafe – Garden Tonic
If you’re sidestepping the sauce this month but you don’t want to miss your nights at the Franklin Cafe, fear not because the South End bar staff will be happy to whip you up any of their trio of spirits-free sips to keep you healthy and hydrated. The Garden Tonic is concocted with Seedlip Garden, serrano, lime and tonic; or go for a Strawberry Basil Smash made with lemon, strawberry simple syrup, cranberry shrub, and basil. There’s also a Seedlip Spritz made with Seedlip Grove, rosemary simple syrup, lemon, orange and Bitter Rosso.
Garrison House – Clementhyme
Beat feet over to the Garrison House in Brookline to stay strong through your dry January. They’ve got a trio of tastes including the Clementhyme made with clementine/tangerine juice, thyme simple syrup and lemon; and Cranberry Fields made with cran-rosemary simple syrup, lemon and lime. If you want something with a little more spice go for the Sizzleade, which is stirred up with lemon juice and cinnamon-ginger-anise simple syrup.
Hunter’s – Pineapple Upside Shake
They’ve got alcohol-free sips on the menu year round at Hunter’s but you can pop in during Dry January for this month’s highlighted special: the Pineapple Upside Shake. Made with pineapple, orgeat, lemon, maraschino cherry syrup and sparkling water, it’s a delightfully refreshing balance of sweet and tart. Head for South Boston the next chance you get to give it a try.
Liberty Tavern – Dry January
You can do good for the world while doing good for you body (it’s like two resolutions rolled into one!) with this month’s charity mocktail at Liberty Tavern. The aptly named Dry January includes fluere smoked agave non-alcoholic spirit, pineapple, mango, passion fruit, lime and soda, and a portion of sales from each one goes to Team Quincy Fire, as they compete in the BFit Challenge at the end of the month.
Loco Taqueria – Becky, Strawberry Spritz & The One with Blood Orange
They’ve added a trio of alcohol-free beauties to the beverage list at Loco Taqueria. Swing by the OG location in South Boston or the newer outpost in Fenway to work your way through the Becky, made with watermelon, mint simple syrup and lemon, the Strawberry Spritz which includes an n/a amaro, strawberry puree and simple syrup, topped with n/a bubbles, or The One with Blood Orange, which, as you might suspect features blood orange puree, zero proof fluere smoked agave and lime.
Lulu Green – Sweet Cocktail Tease
If you’re eating clean in Southie with all the tasty plant-based bites at Lulu Green this month, be sure to order up a Sweet Cocktail Tease. This healthy concoction is made with fresh grapefruit juice, clean grenadine (organic – no artificial colors), locally-made kombucha, and rose, and it’ll make your vegan visit a little extra festive.
Nautilus Pier 4 – Pineapple Express
Keep your Whole 30 intact when you’re out at the Waterfront with Nautilus Pier 4’s Pineapple Express. Made with pineapple, house ginger soda and lime, this sauce-free sip will take you 20,000 leagues under the sea and still have you up early enough the next morning to hit the gym before work.
OAK Long Bar + Kitchen – Tonic Rickey, Pineapple Spritz & Honey Badger
If you need a little pick-me-up while you’re strolling around Copley Square, OAK Long Bar + Kitchen has a trio of new spirits-free sips for you to try. The regal watering hole in the Fairmont Copley Plaza hotel is mixing up the refreshing and tart Tonic Rickey made of tonic water, soda water, lime, angostura bitters. Or, if you’re feeling a little more spicy, order up a Pineapple Spritz with pineapple & szechuan pepper shrub, coconut seltzer to warm you up after a winter stroll. If you’re looking for something strong and citrusy with a balanced sweetness go for the Honey Badger, made with lemon, grapefruit, honey and ginger beer.
Pastoral – “Spiked” Cider
Head to Fort Point for some good clean fun at Pastoral, who are serving up the “Spiked” Cider made with NA rum, apple cider, cinnamon simple syrup and a house-made apple chip. Have a second, or even a third round, because this orchard-fresh tipple is 100% alcohol free.
Puritan Oyster Bar – Spiritfree Jungle Bird
Just because you’re not drinking doesn’t mean you can’t get a little funky. Kick off your night out in Inman Square with a stop at Puritan Oyster Bar (adjacent to Puritan & Co.) for a Spiritfree Jungle Bird. The classic cocktail is normally made with dark or funky rum, but Doug Brickel’s version is built on cold brew coffee with Giffard Aperitif syrup, pineapple juice, lime and demerara sugar. It’ll be just the thing to get the Dry January party started.
Season To Taste – The Main Squeeze
Get your vitamin C with a twist at Season To Taste with The Main Squeeze. It’s made with fresh OJ, Giffard NA Aperitivo, salt and tonic, which makes for a very sophisticated cocktail with absolutely no hangover.
Shy Bird – Lexi Flemming
They’ve got a slew of zero proof cocktails at Shy Bird – a whole menu’s worth, in fact. Take your pick between the two locations (Cambridge and South Boston) and get the flock together to try offerings like the Lexi Flemming, made with gnista wormwood, lapsang souchong tea syrup, ginger beer and lemon.
Sonsie – Ginger Crush
Take a stroll down Newbury Street (now that the holiday throngs have thinned a bit) and pop into Sonsie for a Ginger Crush. This delightful mocktail features a house-made lychee-ginger syrup with lemon juice and soda water garnished with a lime wheel for a perfect-for-winter pick-me-up.
Trade – Yuzu & Ginger Beer, Mandarin & Mint & Pomegranate & Fig
No need to sacrifice flavor when you’re going alcohol free – especially if you’re at Trade. Jody Adams‘ award-winning, Greenway-adjacent restaurant uses seasonal ingredients that pack a real punch including combinations like Yuzu with Ginger Beer, Mandarin & Mint, Pomegranate & Fig, and Passionfruit & Vanilla. You won’t even miss the booze!
Trifecta – Dalton Donuts
You don’t have to skip a night of cocktails at Trifecta just because you’re not drinking, you just need to order up a Dalton Donuts. This tall cool coffee drink is made with iced Americano, espresso whipped cream and smoked sea salt and it’ll put a little pep in your step whenever you stop in for a sip at the Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton.
Vincent’s – Felt Mansion
Giving up alcohol for a while doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve gotta give up the vermouth. Swing into Vincent’s in Cambridge for a Felt Mansion this month, which is a mix of Martini & Rossi Vibrante n/a aperitivo, coconut, cantaloupe, and a little fizz. It’s a swanky, trendy drink for the days when booze is off the menu.
Yellow Door Taqueria – Safety Dance, Miami Nice & YTD Horchata
If you’re known to hit all the 80s dance parties that come your way but you’re done with the drinks for a while, you won’t want to miss the zero-proof stylings at Yellow Door Taqueria this month. The Safety Dance made with blueberry maple cordial, cranberry & hibiscus tea, ginger, lemon, and soda will keep your toes tapping; or stay cool with a Miami Nice made with strawberry, coconut, lime and spiced pineapple cordial. There’s also a house-made YDT Horchata made with coconut milk, pepitas, rice and smoked cinnamon that’s a perfect fit with tacos and won’t drag you down the next day.
