Designated driver for the night, or choosing not to drink? We have the list of Epic Spots that know how to do a proper mocktail.
While plenty of spots will offer virgin drinks on request, they’re often overly sweet or just some variation of soda made fancy with an orange rind and paper umbrella. To make a mocktail worth sipping on requires careful consideration of how ingredients pair together to keep it complex and interesting for the more sophisticated palate.
By using fresh ingredients, homemade syrups, and reductions infused with notes of herbal, spicy, or tangy flavors, and incorporating various zero-proof spirits like Ritual and Seedlip, these local spots have truly mastered the art of a proper mocktail.
Here’s a list of spots in Southeastern MA where you can ‘cheers’ with a delicious mocktail.
Tosca, Hingham
www.toscahingham.com/from-the-bar
If you’re the designated driver for a night out at Tosca, you will be pleasantly surprised by the impressive mocktail options to enjoy with your meal. Their ‘Free Spirits’ list includes a Sunrise in Sicily which is made with a blood orange purée that is made sparkly with soda water and freshly squeezed lemon for the perfect summer beverage. For a more floral taste, try their Rose Garden. The simple syrup here is infused with hibiscus and rose and gives this mocktail the most delectable blooming flavor. You’re in for a ‘free spirit’ treat here at Tosca!
Honey Baby, Plymouth
www.honeybabyplymouth.com/foodandbev
This place is the bee’s knees. With their impressive list of fancy cocktails and mocktails, there is something for everyone here. For a tropical delight be sure to try their Lime in the Coconut- the coconut and lime are kept interesting by a cinnamon-infused simple syrup. Their Strawberry Beret is also a great pick and has flavors of basil and strawberry swirled into agave and lemon for a sparkly taste of summer. On the cozier side, they have one called Amoxicillin which is made using boiled cider, lemon, ginger, and honey. In the winter they offer tea-inspired drinks like their Miss You Matcha made with Ritual zero-proof gin, spiced up with black pepper, and kept slightly sweet with matcha simple syrup. You can also let the Honey Baby crew whip you up a mocktail creation of their own design. Zero or 100 proof, you’re in for a treat at Honey Baby.
The Beth
www.thebethhingham.com/menus/#cocktails
Try the virgin options at The Beth while enjoying live music at the Shipyard Summer Concert Series. They keep their mocktails perfectly simple and use fresh ingredients which avoids the overly syrupy taste sometimes found in other mocktails. Strawberries and basil are muddled together with lemon zest and made bubbly with soda water in a refreshing spritz that’s popular on hot Friday nights by the water.
Cheever, Norwell
www.cheevertavern.com/brunchcocktails
The talented bartenders at Cheever have crafted up a few delicious zero-proof options that offer complexity and unique flavor profiles. Their Cultured Lady mocktail is a popular pick on both their dinner and brunch menus. The strong grapefruit and lemon flavors are balanced out by butterfly sweet pea tea and notes of honey for a subtle sweetness that tastes like a summer evening has been poured into your glass. They also offer a virgin twist on the classic mojito that’s deliciously refreshing.
Salt, Plymouth
www.SaltRawBarPlymouth.com/menus/
If you’re scoping out a raw bar with great mocktail pairings, look no further than Salt. Here you can enjoy their summery Lavender Haze made with butterfly pea-infused lemonade, lavender simple syrup, and honey. On the spicier side, they also have a Hibiscus Mockarita – the floral-infused Seedlip Grove is kicked up a notch with the Thai chili agave and blended with notes of orange and limes. This one might be your new favorite drink.
Beer Lovers
For beer lovers who are looking for a non-alcoholic version of their favorite beverage, there are several spots in the area to check out. Athletic Brewing Company is becoming increasingly popular outside of the elite athlete crowd. Their non-alcoholic beer options manage to keep the taste, haziness, and complexity of different brews without the alcohol content and have won many international awards. Their Hazy IPA, Upside Dawn Golden, and Run Wild can be poured at East Bay Grill (Plymouth), Cheever (Norwell), and Oysterman (Duxbury) respectively. For another great non-alcoholic beer option, try out the Zero Gravity Rescue Club Pilsner at The Winsor House.
In addition, several local breweries are crafting their seltzers and kombucha with zero alcohol.
Cheers to a great evening and a safe drive home!
Where’s your favorite spot not to imbibe? Let us know in the comments below.
By Jo Ryan: Although filled with a desire to explore every nook and cranny of this world, the East Coast will always anchor my soul. As a lover of strong coffee, briny oysters, and cold swims in the sea, New England is the best place to be.
Here are a few more spots to enjoyably not-imbib…
