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Sip happily into Dry January with these local zero-proof cocktails.
Sorry (not sorry) for party rocking. … If the start of a new year means trading cocktails for mocktails and getting friendly with Dry January (aka NYE’s sober-curious sibling), then look no further. We’ve rounded up a slew of spirit-free sips across our city—and the best news of all is you don’t even need to ditch your fave bars. Sip, sip, hooray!
10th and Terrace
Says cheers to the beginning of 2024 sans the spirits! Toast to a ream of NA ops, such as the Berried in Barbados, a fruity drink feat. strawberry and lime flavors; the Mule on Over, a tropical take on the mule; or the Mango Dream, a fruit-forward bev boasting a bit of fizz. How elevated!
Killjoy
Zero proof doesn’t equal zero joy. Jumping on the Dry January bandwagon gives you a chance to test-drive some bold NA choices, like the Sweet Heat, a fiery little number starring housemade melon-serrano shrub; and the Old & Grey, a more cozy choice for the tea lovers. Choose your fighter!
Dram & Draught
A dram at Dram doesn’t have to leave you feeling tipsy. Belly up for NA options like the Baby Aspirin, the perfect antidote for a fruit-forward bev sans alcohol; or perk up with the Wake Up Call feat. Lyre’s coffee originale, Lyre’s spiced cane, cold brew coffee, vanilla and walnut bitters.
Watts & Ward
No need to keep it on the down-low—these booze-free bevs are just what the doctor ordered! Buzz on by to Watts & Ward for a noble experiment in NA sips, like the What’s Up Doc? feat. Seedlip Grove 42, lemon-herb honey, carrot and soda. Or if an apple a day is more up your alley, sip on the Green Thumb, made with Seedlip Garden 108, lemon, apple syrup and egg white.
Wye Hill
Who needs booze when you’ve got views? Wye’s got dry NA drinks aplenty—NTM the best vistas of the city. Trade your usual cocktail for the And On and On, ready to sip and savor with a housemade blackberry reduction, fresh lemon, mint and bubbles. Ooh, la, la!
Whiskey Kitchen
Straight up or on the rocks? More like served in a can or on ice in a glass… Ditch the whiskey during Dry Jan and instead opt for WK’s Lemon Shake Up, a housemade made-to-order lemonade; or a can of Kaya (a new craft bev feat. 3mg of THC delta-9) or Untitled Art Non Alcoholic Mango Dragonfruit Fruited Sour. Cheers to having options!
The Merchant
Free-spirited life calling your name? Pinkies up to party with a tasty take on Thai tea, or buckle up for the ride of your life with the Red Light, Green Light, made with lemon, cherry, lavender, aloe and ginger beer.
The Mill
Good news: The Mill’s got mocktails! Sip a Mill Mockarita feat. spirit-free tequila, agave syrup and lime juice; or a Mocktail Mule with zero proof gin, fresh lime juice, ginger beer and spiced cranberry syrup. #StayDry
The Willard
Leave your worries downstairs, and get dry on life on the roof. Try tipsy-less twists on classic favorites like the cran-apple sangria complete with cranberry, spiced apple cider shrub, and San Pellegrino melograno and arancia; or the pineapple ginger mule with pineapple, lime, Fever-Tree ginger beer and candied ginger. What’s that we hear? Shouts of joy from the rooftop!
Fox Liquor Bar
You can’t sip with us! Just kidding … All jokes aside, think outside the *fox* and try Scout’s Your Uncle with ginger, turmeric, coconut cream, lime and soda; or stay sprightly with the Tart-y for the Party feat. tart cherry, Seedlip Garden 108, cinnamon syrup, lemon and tonic. Who said you need alc to party anyway?!
The Haymaker
Hay, you! Make your move toward a new kind of buzz and sip on a peachy keen mule concoction made with house peach cordial, lime and ginger beer. If bottled is more your style, crack open some wicked-good canned selects like a Groovewagon Cit-Hop Shandy or Crescent 9 THC seltzer. Cheers!
The Parlor at Heights House
Fancy a quick trip to the Italian coast? Italian-inspired spirit-free drinks curated at The Parlor deliver a simple, sweet sans-alcohol solution—no plane ticket required. Try the Capri spritz for bright pomegranate, cranberry and lemongrass flavors, or keep it simple with a Limonata al Rosmarino, aka rosemary lemonade. Your taste buds (and your liver) will thank you (!).
Umbrella Dry Bar
Little Ms. Sunshine, Raleigh, where you at? Come one, come all underneath the umbrella for a full-blown NA menu! Don’t sleep on the I Am Mr. McGregoroni feat. Free Spirits gin that will have you saying “no-groni” from now on. Pour it up!
TheMixx
~Mixx~ it up with high seltzers—NTM craft cannabis gummies!—while posting up on a cozy coach or sprawling out on the patio. Weekly events like live music keep the good times coming—no alc required!
Barcelona Wine Bar
Buzz over to Barcelona for bevs that result in no buzz, like the zero-proof Bees & Bays, a sweet, spicy and citrusy sipper with lime, salted honey syrup and cardamom. Or, for those going the “Damp January” route, try the low-ABV Flor de Sal made with La Cigarrera Manzanilla, Alma de Trabanco cider apéritif, Luxardo maraschino, lime, lemon and black lava salt.
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