Once upon a time, pulling up a seat at the bar could only be done with a cocktail, whisky, or glass of wine in hand. But not anymore. Whether you’re one of the many people planning on taking part in Dry January or are already considering making New Year’s resolutions to cut back on the booze, then fear not: that doesn’t mean missing out on all the fun.
From Mayfair to Shoreditch, Soho to Belgravia, Notting Hill to Tower Hill, we have rounded up the best non- and low-alcohol mocktails out there, from fruity blends, CBD infusions to stylish, luxurious tea pairings. January blues, what January blues?
La Dame De Pic, City of London
The world’s most decorated female chef, Anne-Sophie Pic, isn’t just famed for her foodie flair, but for redefining the art of drink pairing. Just see the launch of ‘Imprégnation Absolue’, a new, non-alcoholic drink pairing menu at La Dame De Pic. The intricate extractions, fermentations and infusions of the flowers and herbs used have been tried and tested at her Valencian lab, with the teas taking on a new dimension, elevating the dishes they accompany. We particularly love the Genmaicha Collins, Seedlip Martini, and Hon Gyokura tea, which are served as an aromatic prelude to prepare diners for the aromas that will be blended into their dishes.
Four Seasons Hotel at Ten, 10 Trinity Square, EC3N 4AJ, ladamedepiclondon.co.uk
Artesian at The Langham, Marylebone
Set within the luxurious five-star London hotel, The Langham’s destination bar Artesian is famed for its Duality cocktail menu, which channels both an imaginative and progressive approach to mixology. From the 14 cocktails on offer – each paired to represent seven dual elements – Good, Darkness and Moon also offer non-alcoholic alternatives, perfect for lifting Dry January spirits. Fruity, passionfruit lovers should choose Good, while the herbal, botanical notes of Darkness make it slightly sourer to the taste. Moon, meanwhile, is a light, spritz-style cocktail with both fruity and smoky notes. Who said being dry had to be, well, dry?
The Langham Hotel, 1C Portland Place, W1B 1JA, artesian-bar.co.uk
Tattu London, Tottenham Court Road
Keen to attract the ever-growing sober-curious crowd, the virgin cocktails at Tattu London are a great option all year round – but especially for those trying to keep it clean until February. We particularly like the Sweet Skullduggery, a non-alcoholic blend of kiwi, blueberries and apple, as well as the Eventide Pagoda, a mouth-watering concoction of pear, honey, and jasmine, both of which celebrate the traditional Chinese flavours for which the restaurant is known. Sitting proudly on the rooftop of the newly emerged The Now Building in the Outernet development, the Phoenix Bar and Terrace offer some of the best views in London – with or without the bubbly.
The Now Building Rooftop, Denmark Street, WC2H 0LA, tattulondon.com
The Goring Bar, Victoria
Proudly mixing some of the best cocktails in the capital for more than a century, the menu at The Goring screams Best of British – and the non-alcoholic versions aren’t lacking in patriotic spirit. We can’t get enough of the Super Victory Tea, which was inspired by weekly visitor Winston Churchill, who would come for afternoon tea with his mother-in-law – a permanent hotel resident. It’s a perfect blend of Everleaf Forest, raspberry syrup, cranberry juice, and citric solution, topped with Frankly & Sons grapefruit tonic. The Garden Dew is a fruity, Champagne-like fizz, innervated with late summer and autumn fruits, while the Popcorn Sour boasts Gnista Wormwood, Lyre’s non-alcoholic coffee liqueur, citric solution, aquafaba, and caramel popcorn essence, and was inspired by a direct phone line between the chef’s office and the US President. Keep calm and stay sober.
15 Beeston Place, SW1W 0JW, thegoring.com
Los Mochis, Notting Hill
While Los Mochis is known as one of the top tequila sellers in the UK, the pan-Pacific dishes of Mexican Japanese fusion are no less delicious when accompanied by a house mocktail – the perfect place for a New Year get-together. The Suizenji Sour is ideal for the health-conscious wanting to shed some Christmas stuffing: made from organic green spirulina, cold-pressed seasonal apple juice, lime juice and shisho leaves, it feels more like a cleanser than an imitation boozer. Or opt for the Tulum Kiss, made with mango and passionfruit puree, cold-pressed pineapple juice, mint leaves, and organic agave, for a real taste of Mexico in the sunshine. Not that Notting Hill can’t be balmy in January…
2-4 Farmer Street, W8 7SN, losmochis.co.uk
The Dandy Bar, Mayfair
An all-day dining destination that transforms into an all-out evening ‘experience’, the Dandy Bar is the heart and soul of The Mayfair Townhouse – whether you’re partaking in the hedonism or not. Drawing inspiration from the stars of stage and screen, the theatrical bar serves some of the most expressive mocktails in town. May we recommend the three house signatures: the Cucumber Sling, which comprises apple juice, elderflower, citrus oil, mint and soda water; the Media Luna, which boasts Seedlip Spice, coconut milk cream, pineapple juice and fresh lime juice; and the Twin’s Favourite, a merry brew of Seedlip Grove, lime juice, agave syrup and grapefruit soda. And don’t forget to ask about the Mocktail of the Month.
The Mayfair Townhouse, 27-41 Half Moon Street, W1J 7BG, themayfairtownhouse.com/dandy-bar
The Hari Bar, Belgravia
Located in the heart of Belgravia and adorned with an impressive rota of incredible art, The Hari Bar is an intimate and glamorous sanctuary brimming with stylish, swanky mocktails that won’t leave you feeling ‘less than’. The Sweet Seduction is a dangerously drinkable combination of passionfruit, apple juice, honey, aloe vera and egg white, while the simple but no less delicious Cranberry Sour mixes cranberry, lime and egg white. For something refreshing, go for the Gardeners Tipple with its blend of apple, lemongrass, basil, berries and ginger beer, whilst Moroccan Nights is ideal for those who are craving a mojito, but don’t want to back down on the New Year resolutions just yet.
20 Chesham Place, SW1X 8HQ, thehari.com
Swift Shoreditch
With venues in Shoreditch, Soho and Borough, this award-winning cocktail bar, which was born on Old Compton Street, is something of a London institution. Alongside its list of accolade-inducing cocktails, its virgin options are just as exciting – and there are a range of non-alcoholic spirits on offer at the Shoreditch outpost, too. Start with the Conifer, a delectable brew of Atopia spiced citrus, honey, Botivo herbal shrub and bitter lemon, before moving on to the Tempest, a heady mix of Darjeeling kombucha, lemon, elderflower, honey and celery. The Bitburger Drive alcohol-free lager is also worth a try, as is the range of non-alcoholic Spanish wines.
91-93 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3HZ, barswift.com
Amazonico, Mayfair
The bar and lounge at Amazonico is a haven of high-energy hedonism, drumming to an electro, Latin American-inspired beat, every night of the week. But don’t be afraid of joining the carnival, even if you won’t be partaking in the mojitos. Try the Chicha Morada, with Seedlip Grove, Chicha Morada, lemon and soda for a real taste of the rainforest, or the Edi-groni, comprising of Edi (hemp & CBD), with non-alcoholic vermouth and bitter. The Save the Jungle mocktail, made from Seedlip grove, lime, tamarillo and anise is also a great sustainable option, with one tree being planted in the Amazon for every sale of the drink. That’s two resolutions in one.
10 Berkeley Square, W1J 6BR, amazonicorestaurant.com
Nightjar Carnaby, Soho
A hidden slice of old-school glamour in the heart of the West End (and Shoreditch), Nightjar boasts a prohibition-themed menu, as well as some signatures, sharers, and, of course, alcohol-free options. May we recommend the bittersweet Euphoric Life of three spirit livener, Edi endorphin, guanabana juice, Peruvian marigold syrup with mandarin and fresh lime, as well as the Kaya Yen Orgeat, a tropical-meets-spicy blend of Atopia-spiced citrus, Thai coconut and almond orgeat, coconut water, mango puree, fresh galangal and aromatic lime leaf. Juice joint indeed…
49-51 Carnaby Street, W1F 9PY, nightjarcarnaby.com
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