The Best Mocktails, Zero Proof, & Non-Alcoholic Drinks in Philadelphia
by
Michelle Cassidy on Jan 11, 2023 in
Bars & Restaurants
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Photo via Wilder
Not drinking alcohol tonight? These bars and restaurants have you covered with inventive, thoughtful, and downright delicious concoctions, no booze needed.
Photo by Michelle Cassidy
You’ll need a membership, or a friend with a membership, to get in, but Messina offers one of the best zero-proof cocktails in the city. Something to Put Out the Flames is a spice-forward delight, served in a rocks glass over a large ice cube and sprinkled with cinnamon. The perfect winter drink.
Photo via Bloomsday
The seasonal focus at Bloomsday extends even to the zero-ABV cocktails. The Green Meadow Farm Shrub is a tangy and refreshing spritzer made with rotating fruit-infused vinegar syrups and fizzy water.
Photo via Wilder
Wilder impresses with one of the largest selections of non-alcoholic cocktails on a menu in Philadelphia. From the Doctor’s Orders, with lapsang souchong tea, ginger, and honey, to This Must Be the Place, with passion fruit, morita chili, and lime, there’s something for every palate.
Photo via Pearl & Mary
The spirit-free section of the drinks menu at Michael Schulson’s new oyster bar offers a grown-up version of an old favorite with the Surely, Shirley. The NA offerings are rounded out with a couple other mocktails, plus some options from Athletic Brewing Company.
Photo via Punch Media
The spirit-free cocktails section is small but mighty and appears to rotate seasonally with the rest of the menu. The Cide Eye, served up in a beautiful champagne coupe, pairs sparkling apple pie flavor with a salt rim for balance.
Photo via Spice Finch
One of the first restaurants in Philly to offer booze-free cocktails, Spice Finch continues to innovate with a fresh take on an old classic. The French 37.5 is a bright blend of grapefruit, lavender, lemon, and tonic that makes for a perfectly fancy brunch pairing.
Photo via Izakaya by Yanaga
The beverage list here may send you down a fun-filled Google spiral as you uncover the origins behind concoctions like Never Ending Math Equation and Thank the Boiler Man. Fortunately, they’re just as fun to drink.
Photo by Drink Philly
Not only does Nick Elmi’s latest and greatest feature a lovely array of zero-proof offerings, but Lark’s bartenders are also well-versed in the world of alcohol-free beverages. The Iron Rose blends Meyer lemon and ginger and comes garnished with a fresh snap of rosemary.
Photo by Michelle Cassidy
The Volstead by Unity is Philly’s first entirely alcohol-free bar and vegan restaurant. Boasting a wall of zero-proof spirits, the possibilities are endless and the house cocktails are a delight. The Chocolate Cherry Boulevardier is a rich and satisfying take on the original, while the Pear Margarita packs a load of flavor, enhanced by a cinnamon rim. NA spirits, wines, and beers are also available to go.
Photo via Mish Mish
Quite a few restaurants feature non-alcoholic versions of the classic negroni, but Mish Mish has the edge. They’re serving the Phony Negroni by Brooklyn-based distillery St. Agrestis. Balancing sweet and bitter and served over ice with a slice of orange, the Phony Negroni is a dead ringer for its boozy counterpart.
The above list is only the tip of the iceberg. Many Philadelphia bars and restaurants are getting in on the zero-proof cocktail game. Also recommended for their creative alcohol-free options: Irwin’s, Kalaya, Abe Fisher, Ember & Ash, Bud & Marilyn’s, and Clementine’s Stable Cafe.
Additionally, ready-to-drink mocktails and alcohol-free spirits are offered at an ever-increasing list of local shops, including Cork the Wine Shop at Cook, Gem Life + Bar, PA Libations, Di Bruno Bros., Occasionette, and Art in the Age. Cheers!
Tags: Cocktails
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