Lisa Batitto 
While dry January is all about cutting back on alcoholic drinks, there’s more to this than just the club soda and a splash of cran with lime. Mocktails are all the rage this Dry January and make for a great alternative for alcoholic beverages. These bars in the Montclair area have crafted some seriously tasty mocktails. Read on for a list of must-try mocktails in Montclair + Essex County, New Jersey.
Bar Franco | 5 Church Street, Montclair
This high-end cocktail bar, located next to its sister restaurant Fresco Da Franco, has three mocktails on its menu. The first, the Aranciata, is made with aranciata di sicilia, grape jelly, and clementines. The second is Limonata, which is made with limonata di sicilia, watermelon juice, and San Pellegrino. Lastly, the San Garibaldi is made with San Pellegrino and pressed orange juice.
Read More: Date Ideas for Dry January in Northern New Jersey
The Brookdale | 1099 Broad Street, Bloomfield
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Visit this lively spot for brunch, dinner, or an alcohol-free happy hour with friends. Some items on the drink menu here are available as mocktails, including A Little Bit of Cucumber, which is made with cucumber, lime, and rosemary.
Faubourg | 544 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Faubourg is a French brasserie located in the heart of Bloomfield Avenue. This upscale spot has multiple mocktails on its menu, including the Yuzual, made with cucumber, shiso, yuzu and lime.
Jack’s Surf + Turf | 718 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
This restaurant, which has another location in Short Hills, knows how to turn classic beverages into fun alcohol-free treats. Jack’s Surf + Turf has eight mocktails on its menu, some of which include the Rose-Berry Spritzer, made with cranberry juice, rose water, and club soda; Mango Mule, made with mango puree, fresh lime juice, and ginger beer; and Classic Mojito, made with fresh mint, fresh lime juice, and club soda.
Kai Yang | 345 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Kai Yang is a street food restaurant that serves all kinds of Thai food and drinks. Customers can find Thai Iced Tea, Thai Iced Coffee, and fun pink mocktails that are topped with mint leaves on the menu.
McLoone’s Boathouse | 9 Cherry Lane, West Orange
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This restaurant is located within the South Mountain Reservation Complex, which means guests can enjoy the spectacular view of the reservoir while sipping their drinks. McLoone’s Boathouse has three non-alcoholic drinks on its menu, including the Tiki Berry Smash, which is made with blueberry puree, lemonade, orange juice, pineapple juice, and lime juice.
Millburn Standard | 42 Main Street, Millburn
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Millburn Standard is known for its tasty takes on familiar dishes and cozy dining room. The extensive drink list includes various mocktails, like A Tost to Sobriety, made with Tost Sparkling white tea, cranberry, and ginger, and Nice List, made with Lyre’s Agave spirit, Stella’s sparkling peach, cranberry juice, lime juice, and cinnamon syrup.
Montclair Brewery | 101 Walnut Street, Montclair
The husband and wife team who own this brewery keep it stocked with a revolving list of craft beers. The spot also has a selection of non-alcoholic craft drinks, including the MB Root Beer, Cranetown Lemonade, Pineapple Ginger Beer, and Peach Lemonade.
Nami Nori | 378 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
This casual temaki bar caused quite a buzz in town for its open-style sushi rolls. The spot does not have a liquor license, so all the beverages are alcohol-free, but that doesn’t hinder the creativity. Try the Yuzu Palmer, made with lemon verbena tea, peach, yuzu juice, and mint.
Pharmacie Bar + Kitchen | 398 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
This local gem serves pub grub, cocktails, and — of course — mocktails. At Pharmacie Bar + Kitchen, patrons can find a mocktail made with Ritual’s Zero Proof Tequila Alternative and topped with a mint leaf.
Sweet T’s Southern Eatery | 387 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
For those who like their mocktails fruity, look no further than Sweet T’s Southern Eatery. The menu at this spot includes six different fun mocktails, some of which include the Strawberry Fizz, Purple Rain, and Hibiscus Harmony.
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