Doing Dry January? Here Are The Best Nonalcoholic Cocktails We Could Find In LA

Updated Jan 5, 2024 8:00 AM

Published Jan 3, 2022 7:00 AM

Cocktails sit in colorful, sparkly glasses on a rose gold tray that is accented with sprigs of rosemary.

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Editor's note: Who's doing Dry January? Pretty much everyone. So we've updated one of our more popular stories from January 2022, curating some of the best no-booze drinks we could find in and around L.A. (Also: Those in the know advise not to call them mocktails, because they're not "mocking" anything.) Whatever you call them, we think you'll agree: Giving up booze has never looked so appealing. Cheers!

Nonalcoholic drinks are more popular than they've ever been and spirit-free libations — which include liqueurs, beer, wine and ready-to-drink options — are booming. Here are a bunch of the best and most Instagram-worthy zero-ABV drinks in Los Angeles.

AOC: The Green Goddess

A close-up look at a tall glass containing a drink so bright and green it looks almost fluorescent. A sliver of cucumber is folded, accordian style, and held in place by a toothpick at the top of the glass. There is also a sprig of mint at the lip of the glass.

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This green drink has been a longtime bestseller at AOC in West Hollywood and Brentwood, both with and without booze. At lunch, the bars churns out nonstop NA Green Goddesses ($18) for diners on a green juice kick. It's an invigorating mix of green tea, arugula simple syrup, lemon juice, cucumber juice and jalapeño juice.

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De La Nonna: The Ruby Rosa Spritz

A wine glass holds an icy beverage that gives off an orange hue, and a slice of dried orange is set on its side at the bottom of the glass, adding to the drink's stylish appeal.

Aperol Spritz fans should visit Arts District pan pizza joint De La Nonna for a tasty spirit-free replica of the cocktail. The Ruby Rosa Spritz ($13) is made with zero-proof sparkling wine, orange soda and nonalcoholic bitter aperitif. No, it's not just another orange soda. It boasts the bitter notes of the aperitif and the dry effervescence of a spritz.

Bar Bohémien: The Gentle Spirit

A wine glass holds a drink that looks almost like a painting: It's bright ruby red at the bottom and then fades into a pale pink at the rim of the glass, which sports the bar's name on its side. The drink is perched on a wooden tabletop on front of a window.

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If you find yourself wanting to toast the end of another workday at Bar Bohémien in Culver City, the bartenders has a customized drink for you. The menu boasts that every cocktail can be made booze free. Just ask. We enjoyed one called Gentle Spirit and it was made a nonalcoholic Seedlip Grove 42, watermelon, lemon, simple syrup and soda water. But feel free to customize. Cocktails run in the $16 to $20 range.

Cara Cara: The Ginger Snap

A short glass holds a bright orange drink that looks like sunshine. There is a sprig of mint at the lip of the glass, and it is perched on a ledge with a view of downtown Los Angeles.

Want to feel like you're day-drinking without actually drinking alcohol? The spirit-free Ginger Snap, $13, at Cara Cara, the Proper Hotel's rooftop restaurant in DTLA "is bright, tropical and a touch spicy from the fresh ginger, then the tea just adds a bit of depth and complexity," according to the beverage manager we spoke to.

Bicyclette: The Passion Fruit

A closeup look at a drink set dramatically against an all-black background: The drink is served up over ice in a tall glass, giving off a tomato red hue, and a slice of citrus is perched at the lip of the glass.

For non-drinkers who are tired of the sweetness of soda and juice-based options: The Passion Fruit ($11) drink at Bicyclette in Beverlywood is a bright, dry, vegetal libation made with Seedlip Garden 108 as well as grapefruit, red bell pepper, basil and soda. Savory, citrusy and not cloying.

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At Redbird — The Guicy

A close-up look at a drink served in a medium height glass, with the color akin to grape juice. Half a slice of citrus is floating along the inside of the glass, a hint of the taste to come. The glass is set on a stone counter.

Craving an Americano or Aperol Spritz to start your brunch at Redbird in DTLA but don't want alcohol? That's why this spirit-free spritz inspired by popular aperitivo cocktails was created. The Guicy ($13) is made with Giffard Aperitif syrup, red verjus, San Pellegrino wild strawberry essenza and orange.

At Nic's on Beverly — The Cool as a Cucumber

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At vegan restaurant Nic's on Beverly, the Cool as a Cucumber ($14) boasts "complex notes of citrus, star anise, ginger, and habanero that bring warmth, heat, and acidity" and promises to "keep you coming back sip after sip."

All Day Baby — Blueberry Pomegranate Colada

A frosty milk shake type glass is filled with a pink and purple liquid with whipped cream on top. The glass is sitting on a wooden table in front of a restaurant.

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Want a tropical vibe without hard liquor? All Day Baby in Silver Lake can help scratch that itch. One of our favorites, the blueberry pomegranate colada, is no longer on the menu but we're told that if you ask nicely, one can be whipped up for you. (Think pina colada with, yes, blueberry and pomegranate but minus the rum so you can enjoy it guilt-free at any time. Like at 9 a.m. with a waffle sandwich.) That said, All Day Baby's menu offers lots of other nonalcoholic aguas frescas and virgin milkshakes, all in the $11-12 range.