Is an alcohol-free January one of your New Year’s resolutions? If you’ve made up your mind, you can skip the liquor and still enjoy the nuances and notes of flavor that make a cocktail distinctive: Try a mocktail!
Here’s a small sampling of Downtown drinking establishments that have special alcohol-free options for your Dry January. You can have a drink with your friends — and you’ll be sticking to your resolution!
ROSEMALLOWS / 255 LONG BEACH BLVD.
Exotic cocktails fit perfectly in this ’80s-tropical bar with the pool table, pinball machines, and glowing neon Hibiscus flower.
When a patron requests an alcohol-free concoction, Bartender Sara steers them to a Mezcal-less version of the popular Prickly Pear Paloma: Prickly Pear, Lime, and Grapefruit Soda, garnished with an Orchid. It’s simple, refreshing, and very good-looking!
To keep up with the musical happenings and pop-ups at Rosemallows, follow them on Instagram.
FICKLEWOOD CIDERWORKS / 720 E BROADWAY
Ficklewood’s onsite-brewed Ciders are vegan, organic, and all-natural. The popular Cider bar has just created its first mocktail menu, using their high-quality ingredients. Operations Manager Julie Lotz described it: “In the brown mug is our Spiced Apple Cider, featuring Cinnamon, Star Anise, Clove, Nutmeg, and a splash of spiced sparkling water.
“The light-colored snifter is a virgin version of our Chilly Toddy: Lemon Juice, Ginger Beer, Spiced Simple Syrup, and splashes of Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider and Spiced Sparkling Water.
“The dark snifter is a mocktail version of a Pom-Pom,” Lotz continued. “It’s made with Ginger Beer, Pomegranate Juice, and splashes of Martinelli’s and Spiced Sparkling Water.”
Learn all the particulars of Cidery on the Ficklewood website.
THE ORDINARIE / 210 THE PROMENADE N
“One of our bartenders came up with this Christmas Mocktail — and it’s been a big hit!” said General Manager and “bartender at heart” Kayla Bohner. “It’s an inspiration for us to move on to a more developed mocktail menu.”
The Ordinarie’s Christmas Mocktail — Handmade Spiced Cranberry Syrup, Fresh-Squeezed Lemon Juice, topped with Fresh Ginger Beer and garnished with a sprig of Rosemary — will be available through December and into January, when the Ordinarie plans to launch its official mocktail menu.
For menu, gift card info and much more, visit the Ordinarie’s website.
BO-BEAU KITCHEN + ROOF TAP / 144 PINE AVE.
This classy Pine Avenue spot has two very delicious and healthy drinks on its mocktail menu: Try the Stormy Bastille: Blackberries, Blueberries, Strawberries, House-Made Syrup, and Fresh Lemon. That’s a lot of vitamins and antioxidants!
Also on the mocktail menu is the Grapefruit & Thyme Smash: Freshly Squeezed Grapefruit Juice, House-Made Thyme & Rosemary Syrup, Sparkling Water, and a Sugar Rim.
For a preview of BO-beau’s casually elegant ambiance, their menu, and to make reservations, visit their website.
SAKE SECRET / 460 PINE AVE.
Sake Secret isn’t just a drinking establishment — it’s a cultural journey! During a recent visit, our Digital Media Coordinator Amanda Barrera discovered these alcohol-free options: “Kimino Japanese Sparkling Sodas are organic and minimally sweet,” she said. “Sake Secret has all four flavors: Yuzu (Asian citrus that resembles a Lemon), Mikan (Japanese Orange-like citrus), Ringo (a Fuji Apple), and Ume (Plum), which I opted for. It was very crisp, light, and refreshing!”
Barrera mentioned that Sake Secret also serves Calpico, a citrus soda that is light in flavor and not overly sweet. It contains milk and has a sort of grain-like texture.
To subscribe to Sake Secret’s FREE monthly newsletter and learn more about Sake culture, make sure to visit their website.
Mocktails are definitely trending for Dry January and beyond. Ask your mixologist about them during your next trip to your favorite bar!