Where to Get Mocktails in Sacramento (and Recipes to Make Your Own!)

Ah, Dry January. If you’re one of the many people who overindulged over the holiday season, then an alcohol-free month is probably a good idea. But giving your liver a break doesn’t mean you’re stuck with water and diet soda. You can still get all the yumminess of a craft cocktail without the yucky hangover. More and more bars in Sacramento are putting mocktails on their menus, many made with the same high-quality ingredients found in their boozy counterparts.

At Paragary’s in midtown, you can order a French ’73, a twist on the classic French ’75. This one is made with Seedlip Grove 42, an alcohol-free spirit made with spice and citrus, as well as verjus blanc (unripe grape juice), honey and sparkling water.

East Sacramento’s Kru also uses Seedlip spirits. The Zen Garden has Seedlip Garden, cucumber-yuzu shrub and lemon, while the Japanese Mule has Seedlip Spice, ginger beer, lime and rice.

At Hawks in Granite Bay, you can un-bibe with the Blossom and Tea, a craft mocktail with iced black tea, orange flower water and lime juice, or the Hawk Feather, with sweetened lemon juice, basil and soda water.

At Allora in East Sacramento, the Navigation mocktail has elderflower, Bored-O Rouge (grape nectar) and lemon, while the SJ’s Garden Variety has orgeat, cucumber, lime, and house-grown herbs.

In the Arden area, Wildwood serves the Blackberry Haven, with muddled fruit, lemon, simple syrup and mind, as well as the Autumn Fizz, with Fever-Tree spiced orange ginger ale, blood orange juice and rosemary.

Downtown’s Ella makes an alcohol-free Tom Collins with grapefruit juice, agave and sparkling water. Another mocktail, the Lavender Fields, has lavender, lemon, cucumber and sparkling water.

Don’t feel like going out? We also included our favorite non-alcoholic mocktail recipes you can make at home. Cheers to your health!

The Consolation Prize

Photo courtesy Smitten Kitchen

This non-alcoholic drink from Smitten Kitchen is like a mojito and pina colada rolled into one! Its base is coconut milk, with pineapple, lime and mint thrown in. With a splash of soda, it’s a refreshing drink reminiscent of a tropical holiday.

Pink Drink

Photo courtesy Cookie and Kate

This fruity and flowery drink from Cookie and Kate is similar to Starbucks’ Strawberry Açai Refreshers Beverage. It’s made from fresh strawberries, orange juice, coconut milk and hibiscus tea, with the perfect balance of sweetness.

Sugar Snap Pea Mocktail

Photo courtesy Snixy Kitchen

This unique mocktail by Snixy Kitchen has the bright flavors of sugar snap peas and mint! Blanched peas and lime juice are blended with a quick simple syrup, then added to sparkling water and topped with mint for a fresh cocktail that tastes like spring.

Strawberry Elderflower Shrub Mocktails

Photo courtesy Love & Olive Oil

In mixology, shrub is a blend of fruit, vinegar and sugar that gives drinks a tangy bite. This mocktail combines strawberries, red wine vinegar, elderflower syrup, lemon and club soda for a balanced drink that’s not too sweet.

Lilikoi Passion Fruit Mocktail

Photo courtesy a Side of Sweet

This fruity mocktail from a Side of Sweet features a staple of tropical cuisine: lilikoi, or passion fruit. It begins with a passion fruit simple syrup, and when added to soda water, makes a refreshing and unique beverage without the buzz!

Grapefruit Citrus Sparkling Mocktail

Photo courtesy A Beautiful Mess

How lovely is this summery mocktail from A Beautiful Mess? Although it looks fancy, it’s actually simple to make: blend fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice with soda, add a splash of simple syrup, and garnish with a wedge of citrus and a sprig of rosemary or thyme.