Living in the city known for having the most bars per capita can make it hard to believe that not everyone can (or want to) drink alcohol. Some have given up drinking, others are underage and out to dinner with family, and others are pregnant — or simply don’t want to drink. No judgment zone here — and enter: the mocktail.
Mocktails are great for social situations and a fun alternative to sparkling water or soda. Luckily, for consumers who are passing on the bottomless booze part of brunch, but still want bold, complex drinks, many restaurants in the area have made it a point to expand their menus to include an extensive list of mocktails. Read on to discover the best spots in North Jersey to grab a mocktail and have your drink shaken, not slurred.
Disclaimer: We put this list together based on actual mocktail menus — there are definitely more cocktail spots where you can just add to hold the alcohol!
Ariane Kitchen + Bar | 706 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
The Must-Try Mocktail: Southside Fizz or Rum Punch
(Photo credit: @arianekitchnbar)
Celebrity chef, Ariane Durate, has been serving mocktails at Ariane Kitchen + Bar from the beginning. The Southside Fizz is a virgin take on the classic gin drink with lime juice, simple syrup, mint, club soda, and cucumber. For a stand-out drink, the Rum Punch is made with pineapple, orange juice, simple syrup, lime, mint, and a slice of orange. Happy Hour is every day 4:40PM — 6:30PM at the bar table on the west of the building.
Bloom | 648 Bloomfield, Verona
The Must-Try Mocktail: Very Berry Aloe
(Photo credit: @bloomverona)
Bloom has recently added new non-alcoholic beverages to the menu; perfect refreshers to enjoy this summer. Ingredients to our fave includes infused berry tea, homemade aloe marmalade, lime, and seltzer.
Chart House | 1700 Harbor Boulevard, Weehawken
The Must-Try Mocktail: Faux-Jito
Located literally on the Hudson River, Chart House at Lincoln Harbor offers panoramic views of the New York skyline. On top of the glittering views, guests can enjoy a revitalizing faux-jito made with mint, lime, and seltzer as a compliment to the unique cuisine sans alcohol.
Common Lot | 27 Main Street, Millburn
The Must-Try Mocktail: Any kombucha mocktail
(Photo credit: @common_lot)
The owners at Common Lot are committed to providing a sophisticated, relaxed eating experience with great service. In addition to the one-of-a-kind menu, soft cocktail options include kombucha mocktail recipes that are rotated on a seasonal basis. In the summer, you can try elderflower, lemon, and thyme, or turmeric and ginger combinations for a refreshing zing.
Read More: A Guide to the Best BYOB Restaurants in Montclair
Frankie | 264 Grove Street, Jersey City
The Must-Try Mocktail: The Flower in the Sun, Nico’s Song, or Lady Stardust
(Photo credit: @frankieeatsjc)
The Australian-inspired bar and restaurant have a laidback vibe that perfectly complements the holistic approach the locale takes to mocktails. The Flower in the Sun tastes like a New York egg cream took a tropical vacation, combining fresh pineapple juice, thyme, frothy egg white, and lime. Nico’s Song is a colorful mix of fresh beet and orange juice with ginger and seltzer, and the resident queen Lady Stardust is an earthy fresh carrot juice with ginger and lime.
Halifax | W Hotel, 225 River Street, Hoboken
(Photo credit: @halifax_hoboken)
Located on the Hoboken waterfront, Halifax features seasonally changing alcohol-free cocktails on the menu. Star ingredients include orange and pineapple juices, grenadine, blueberries, simple syrup, lemon juice, orange slices, maraschino cherries, basil, herbs, and elaborate garnishes. Guests can enjoy all the flavor without the hangover at Halifax.
Orale Mexican Kitchen | 1426 Willow Avenue, Hoboken + 341 Grove Street, Jersey City
The Must-Try Mocktail: Virgin Piña Colada
(Photo credit: @oralemk)
Margaritas are a popular go-to at most Mexican restaurants, but if you’re looking for a soft cocktail alternative, try the virgin piña colada at Orale. The combination of pineapple, coconut, and lime create a sweet-but-not-too-sweet addition to any classic Mexican meal.
See More: Where to Enjoy Happy Hour in Montclair + Beyond
Samba | 7 Park Street, Montclair
The Must-Try Mocktail: Any of the fresh fruit mocktails
Fresh fruit mocktails just make sense in the rustic space of the homestyle vintage Brazilian space. The fruity selections include pineapple and mint, strawberry and mint, and bright orange cashew fruit which is an exotic fruit native to Brazil. Guests can feel transported to the southern hemisphere with drinks at Samba.
South + Pine | 90 South Street, Morristown
The Must-Try Mocktail: South + Pine
(Photo credit: @southandpine)
Using fresh seasonal ingredients, Leia Gaccione, former executive chef and chef de cuisine for Bobby Flay has brought her culinary talents to Morristown in this American eatery. The mint cucumber cooler at South + Pine is a no-sugar, no-alcohol, deliciously refreshing drink. Other drinks include freshly-made cold brew and strawberry lemonade.
Spuntino Wine Bar + Italian Tapas | 70 Kingsland Road, Clifton
The Must-Try Mocktail: Strawberry Basil Mule
(Photo credit: @spuntinowinebar)
Beyond the award-winning wine list, customers at Sputino can find carefully created mocktails on the menu. A fan favorite is the Strawberry Basil Mule, made with fresh strawberry puree and garnished with dried strawberry and candied ginger. These booze-free cocktails are a curated must-try on this local menu.
