Houston’s zero-proof cocktail scene is flourishing, with local bars and restaurants offering inventive, booze-free beverages that are just as sophisticated as their spirited counterparts. From vibrant fruity infusions to bold herbal elixirs, these mocktails will help you get a refreshing start to the new year.
1891 American Eatery & Bar, 702 East 11th
Refreshing buzz-free elixirs include the Prickly Pear Fizz, made with pear and grapefruit tonic.
Afuri Ramen, 1215 North Durham
Sip Yuzu Limeade and Housemade Ginger Ale for $5 a pop.
Amrina, 3 Waterway Square
Go zero-proof with Amrina’s Cuddles on the Beach ($12) with passionfruit, coconut, orange juice and rimmed with tajin and the Barely Legal ($12) made with grapefruit juice, jasmine tea, lemon juice and rose water.
Andiron Grille & Patio, 3201 Allen Parkway
Hit the live-fire tavern to enjoy favorites like the Sinless Negroni ($12) with Lyre’s Italian Orange, sweet vermouth and aromatic botanicals; the Easy Rider ($12) made with Ritual Whiskey Alternative, passion fruit, mango, lemon, vanilla and ginger beer;; and the Tropicana ($12) featuring Seedlip 94 Gin Alternative, pineapple + rhubarb shrub and club soda.
Brasserie 19, 1962 West Gray
Try the L’spresso MartiNO, made with espresso, vanilla, chocolate bitters, Fee Foam and cacao powder.
Coltivare, 3320 White Oak
In addition to its already extensive selection of N/A offerings, the Coltivare beverage team has crafted seven new cocktails in collaboration with Sipple, a non-alcoholic bottle shop in Houston. Offerings include cocktails like the “Et Tu, Brute?” with Amaro Lucano Zero, Lyres Italian Spirit and Topo Chico and the “If You Wanna” with Cut Above Whiskey, Pumpkin, Spices, Orgeatand Lemon.
Daily Gather, 800 Sorella
Go big on flavor without the booze by sipping the Daily “BLT” with blueberry, lemon, thyme and sparkling water; Cucumber Refresher with fresh lime, cucumber, orange, basil, vanilla and ginger beer; of the Ginger Strawberry Lemonade.
Dish Society, multiple locations
In addition to house cold-pressed juices, coffee drinks and kombucha, Dish Society offers plenty of spirit-free ways to liven your dining experience. Try drinks like the Butterfly Effect pea blossom iced tea, Fauxjito with fresh mint and chamomile and citrus infusion; or the Spicy Strawberry Mockarita.
Duck N Bao, multiple locations
All fourteen specialty cocktails can be prepared without the hooch. Normally $10, the mocktail versions are just $6 each, including the Singapore Sling, Cucumber Lime and Love at First Sight, sweet and sour with pomegranate syrup.
Eunice, 3737 Buffalo Speedway
Sip on the Cobbler’s Cruise, a refreshing blend of Cut Above 0 percent proof gin, strawberry and orgeat; or try the Undercover Chili, featuring Cut Above 0% proof tequila, jalapeño and pineapple.
Fish Company Taco, 1914 23rd, Galveston
Signature frescas provide a spirit-free refresher, including the Lime in the Coconut, Mango Tango, Pineapple Verde and Cactus Flower lemonade blended with dragon fruit and fresh citrus.
Haywire, 947 Gessner
Sip through the free-spirited menu, with mocktails like the Hibiscus Haze and Mojito Refresher.
Le Jardinier, 5500 Main
Indulge in the refreshing Le Jardin with cucumber, lime, fine herbs and soda; or go tropical with the Yellow Boots, which combines spiced pineapple tisane, coconut cordial and pandan for a gorgeously balanced sip.
Loro, Uchi, Uchiko, multiple locations
Uchi offers both wine and beer options while Uchiko,and Loro layer in inspired selections of low and no-ABV cocktails, from Loro’s Spicy Cucumber to Uchiko’s Grapefruit Fizz.
Lyric Market, 411 Smith
Sip the non-alcoholic Mock-arita hit with Lyre’s Agave Blanco, lime juice, and agave; the
Lemon Kiss, a riff on Lemon Drop Martini); and the Mock Fashioned.
MAVEN at Sawyer Yards, 1501 Silver
Grab a caffeinated mocktail like the ($12) Shakerato crafted with non-alcoholic amaro and signature MAVEN cold brew for a softer, herbal twist on the classic highball; or the ($12) Button Buck with coconut, almond, lime and ginger beer.
Phat Eatery, 23119 Colonial, 2290 Buckthorne
Sip an assortment of flavorful, alcohol-free sippers like the Malay Iced Milk Tea alongside cold-pressed juices in Prickly Pear & Melon or Pineapple Ginger, plus a new roundup of mocktails ready to be explored.
Postino, multiple locations
The bruschetta and wine bar is rolling out a lineup of five zero-proof cocktails at all locations come January 1, includinth The Glow-Up, with fresh cucumber, cool mint, lime and a zingy ginger beer finish; and the Espresso Flirtini with spiced cane, hazelnut and a bold espresso twist.
Prime 131, 2505 West 11th; Turner’s Cut, 811 Buffalo Park
Both concepts offer Berg Hospitality Group’s four signature zero-proof cocktails, from the Strawberry Rose Refresher and Spiced Pear to the Margfreerita and Kosnopolitan. Mocktails are available at Turner’s Cut for $12 each and available at Prime 131 for $10 a piece.
Puttshack, 1200 McKinney
Guests can sip on a refreshing N/A Spritz, tangy Passion Fruit Lemonade, playful Cotton Candy Crush or a zesty H2NO Ranch Water.
Real Agave, 1100 Louisiana
Try the Strawberry Rose Refresher with Seedlip ‘Grove 42’, Monin strawberry rose, fresh lime and Fever Tree club soda, or theBlood Orange Margnorita, made with Ritual Zero Proof Tequila Alternative, Monin blood orange, lime and agave, topped with club soda.
Sixty Vines, multiple locations
Sip on a curated selection of refreshing mocktails and explore non-alcoholic wines for a zero-proof way to toast the new year.
Superica, 1801 North Shepherd
Go for the Ginger no-jito, buzz-free Hibiscus Margarita and more.
The Sylvie, 845 Texas
Try a Strawberry Rose Refresher or try the Spiced Pear, a warm and aromatic blend of Seedlip ‘Spice 94’, Monin pear, Monin organic honey, fresh lemon juice and Fever Tree ginger beer.
Tavola, 1800 Post Oak
Quench your thirst with the vibrant Palowma, a mix of Mezcal zero proof, fresh grapefruit, agave, club soda and bitters. Or try the No Mint Spritz, a beautifully balanced blend of Cut Above zero-proof gin, butterfly pea flower, mint syrup, fresh lemon juice and tonic.
Trattoria Sofia, 911 West 11th
Choose from the Strawberry Rose Refresher, Spiced Pear, Cosmopolitan made with Seedlip ‘Grove 42’, Cranberry Juice and Lime juice, and the Bloody Noray, made with Seedlip ‘Spice 94’, Lime Juice and Zing Zang mix.
Whiskey Cake, multiple locations
Whiskey Cake is keeping Dry January bold and buzz-free with a lineup of zero-proof cocktails that pack a punch, from the guava and jalapeño kissed Thorns & Roses to a Green Thumb made with Ritual Zero-Proof Gin, cucumber, lemon-fresno cordial and lime.
Zanti Cucina Italiana, 1958 West Gray
Enjoy the refreshing Crimson Rose, a vibrant mix of Seedlip Garden, green pepper and green apple syrup, lemon juice and soda; or the zesty Panoma, with Seedlip Spice, muddled grapefruit, agave, club soda and a touch of salt.
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2024.
