Keep Your January Dry: NYC's Best Mocktails
From a tropical cocktail bar in Chelsea to an art deco-style bar 64 stories above Wall Street, we roundup the very best spots to enjoy a mocktail worth going out for.
For most of us, the New Year is a time for new beginnings, resolutions and a lot less champagne headaches after all those holiday parties. But just when you thought Dry January would be easy, you might find yourself suddenly confronted with all those drinks you pushed until “after the holidays”.
So, what’s one to do with a calendar full of drinks and no desire for a hangover? Well, lucky for you, we’ve curated a list of NYC’s very best spots for a mocktail worth going out for.
Roxy Bar
Okay, so we may be a bit biased with this one but our beloved Roxy Bar does feature some of the tastiest mocktails downtown. Whether you’re joining us for brunch or just looking to catch some of our weekly live jazz performances, we have plenty of options sans the booze. We especially love the Love is The Drug, a combination of de soi golden hour, strawberry, pineapple, lemon and seltzer, or The Socialite, a delicious concoction of seedlip garden, kiwi, ginger, lemon with a healthy dash of tonic for good measure.
2 6th Ave, Manhattan; (212) 519-6661
View this post on Instagram
Overstory
Looking for a view with your mocktail? Overstory is just an elevator ride away. Find yourself 64 stories above Wall Street with not only incredible views and a wraparound terrace but a selection of non-alcoholic cocktails worth writing home about. Enjoy the sexy ambiance of the art deco-style bar and sip on the Salted Honey Soda. Sure, it may be simple but it’s so unique you may be compelled to order it even when you are drinking.
70 Pine St 64th Floor, Manhattan; (212) 339-3963
Dante
Coffee is always a good option when you’re not in the mood for a drink. At Dante, you’ll find the perfect combination in the Espresso Shakerato. Featuring Three Spirit Nightcap, Lyre’s coffee, espresso and rose water, the Shakerato is a mocktail that calls to mind the roots of the original Dante. Established in 1915, the spot began as Caffe Dante, an espresso bar and cafe. Reworked in recent years as an Italian cafe featuring small plates and cocktails, you’ll get a dose of history along with your zero-proof beverage.
79-81 MacDougal St, Manhattan; (212) 982-5275
View this post on Instagram
Jungle Bird
By mid-January, you may be fed up with all that frigid winter air and in the mood for some tropical vibes. You’ll certainly find them at Jungle Bird. This tropical-themed cocktail bar in Chelsea features all the leafy greens, bamboo and tiki-style furniture needed to warm you up. But most importantly, they also have a healthy list of zero-proof cocktails to keep that Dry January going. If you like yuzu, the White Stripes is an unbeatable option.
174 8th Ave, Manhattan; (646) 868-8422
Lord’s
Of course, our favorite British bistro’s non-alcoholic section is titled Teetotaling. And with gin being England’s most popular liquor, it’s only fitting that Lord’s makes a very good Phony Negroni. In fact, they make a couple of them! So while vegetarians may be limited on options at this meat-centric spot, teetotalers will have plenty to pick from by way of non-alcoholic beverages. Regardless of what you’re looking for, the vibe here is charming and worth a visit, especially if you’re looking for English comfort food with a side of mocktail.
506 LaGuardia Pl, Manhattan; (929) 398-5433
View this post on Instagram
Spirited Away
The perfect place to visit before a dinner party at your friend’s house. With an extensive selection of options, Spirited Away is NYC’s first exclusively non-alcoholic bottle shop. If you plan to build your own booze-free mocktails at home, you’ll surely find something you love. And, more likely, you’ll discover a world of zero-proof drinking you didn’t know existed. (As it turns out, non-alcoholic wine is a thing—and it’s actually good.)
177 Mott St, Manhattan; (929) 277-2520
Diamond Lil
And if you find yourself in Brooklyn, Diamond Lil in Greenpoint is a gorgeous cocktail bar with art nouveau decor and a romantic, intimate atmosphere. In fact, it may be the perfect place for that first (or second!) date you pushed til the New Year. And don’t worry, while it isn’t listed on their menu, Diamond Lil does have a great mocktail selection. Our favorite? The #1, a blend of AMASS Riverine, blood orange, habanero and white pepper.
179 Nassau Ave, Brooklyn
WORDS Hillary Sproul
