Each year, despite medical experts’ claims that it won’t benefit your health, thousands of people take part in Dry January in an effort to detox after the Christmas period. But the first few weeks back at work in January will leave many desperate for a drink. For those who still want to socialise without turning to the bottle, we’ve teamed up with teetotal blog Dry Scene to list the best places to wet your whistle in the city if you’re trying to stay off the alcohol. From Virgin Marys in Battersea to non-alcoholic spirits in Mayfair, here are 13 places to enjoy a no-booze cocktail.
Dandelyan serves an extensive mocktail menu alongside its alcoholic offerings. The bar uses non-alcoholic spirits, which can make any spirit-free drink feel more grown up. This Seedlip and tonic drink will make teetotallers feel right at home. Mocktail price: £6.50-£7.50
This completely alcohol-free venue puts an emphasis on good health, serving fruity mocktails alongside vegan and vegetarian food. Their smoothies, like this vegan, virgin Pîna Colada, are all dressed up to look like authentic cocktails. Mocktail price: £4-£6
The Cocktail Trading Company is known for its crazy spirit-based creations, but it’s also perfect for anyone doing Dry January. There’s no specific mocktail menu, but that’s all part of the philosophy according to the staff, who told Business Insider that the bartender will make a bespoke drink for teetotallers dependent on their favourite flavours. Whatever you order, it’s sure to be eye-catching. Mocktail price: Non-alcoholic drinks are made to order, so there is no fixed price. Alcoholic cocktails cost £9.
Nightjar is home to some of London’s most extravagant-looking drinks. The speakeasy-style venue also offers a range of what the staff call “faux-tails,” which are just as eccentric. Mocktail price: £4-6 Sexy Fish may be better known as a decadent restaurant in the wealthiest part of town, but the bar is also welcoming to anyone staying away from alcohol. Teetotallers can sample a “Seedside” cocktail, a drink made with a non-alcoholic spirit and tonic water that even tastes like a G&T. Mocktail price: All £7
The drinks menu at Ben’s Canteen has a small section dedicated to mocktails, but it also serves up vibrant-looking juices and smoothies alongside non-alcoholic versions of classic cocktails like this Bloody Mary, making it the perfect Dry January brunch spot. Mocktail price: All £6
The Anthologist not only has its own “Zero” menu, but will also create custom mocktails based on what customers like and dislike. Mocktail price: £4.50-£5.95 The Connaught Bar has a full page of alcohol-free mocktails available on their “Innocence” menu that look and taste as good as the boozy drinks on offer. Mocktail price: All £9.50 The Alchemist in the heart of the City offers seven perfectly presented, alcohol-free concoctions on its menu, like this Virgin Porn Star Martini, which is a steal at £4.65. There’s even a low-alcohol negroni for anyone wanting to indulge just a little bit. Mocktail price: All £4.65
Be at One may not be the most luxurious bar on our list, but it serves a non-alcoholic version of its classic espresso martini which comes highly recommended by Dry Scene. It also has a “virtuous menu,” where the cocktails tipples are designed to have a lower sugar and alcohol content, making it a great option for post-work drinks. Mocktail price: Around £4 The Permit Room – an opulent bar in the basement of Indian restaurant Dishoom – serves a small but delicious menu of “copy tipples,” which won the Spirits Business Award for best non-alcoholic cocktail list last year. The Sober Martini, which blends a non-alcoholic spirit with grape and cucumber water, is a refreshing favourite of teetotallers. Mocktail price: All £6
Dry January can be difficult, and when your friends are still drinking, it’s easy to feel left out. Luckily, Grain Store serves up both its alcoholic and virgin drinks in wine glasses. The “Roman Redhead” – a mix of grape juice, beetroot and verjus – looks just like a glass of wine. Mocktail price: All £4 Sushisamba doesn’t have a bespoke mocktail menu yet, but Dry Scene recommends the bar’s bespoke drinks, adding that it was one of the few places in London “where the bartender didn’t laugh at me for ordering a virgin drink.” The bar will introduce a non-alcoholic cocktail menu this spring, featuring this Yushi Fizz – a blend of yuzu juice and elderflower mixed with shiso cordial which is already available at its New York City branch. Mocktail prices: $8 (£6.55) in New York City
Dandelyan — Blackfriars
Redemption — Notting Hill and Old Street
The Cocktail Trading Company — Shoreditch
Nightjar — Shoreditch
Sexy Fish — Mayfair
Ben’s Canteen — Earlsfield and Battersea
The Anthologist — St Pauls
The Connaught Bar — Mayfair
The Alchemist — Liverpool Street
Be at One — multiple locations
The Permit Room — Shoreditch
Grain Store — King’s Cross
Sushisamba — Liverpool Street
Het bericht 13 cocktail bars in London that will help you stick to Dry January verscheen eerst op Business Insider.