The start of a new year often comes with a slate of resolutions. Whether focused on physical health or mental well-being, many people choose to cut back on a vice or two—and for plenty of us, that means taking a temporary break from alcohol after the indulgences of the holiday season.
Though there were earlier international campaigns encouraging post-holiday alcohol abstinence, the term “Dry January” originated in the United Kingdom in 2013, with participants pledging to forgo alcohol for the entire first month of the new year. The phrase is trademarked by Alcohol Change UK, but it is now recognized and widely used around the world.
The hospitality industry has embraced the movement, creating mocktail menus filled with creative, flavorful drinks—sans booze. And the availability of delicious, non-alcoholic drinks means that pregnant women, sober persons, and designated drivers can still enjoy a thoughtfully crafted beverage without feeling left out.
Check out this list of zero-proof cocktails being served around town that make it easy, and enjoyable, to stay true to Dry January.
Good God, Nadine’s
If “a little mild cursing” is part of the mantra at this artsy, Southern-inspired restaurant, its mocktail menu is sure to inspire only the good kind of expletives. A lineup of $12 mocktails are built on a base of ZoZo Fresh cold-pressed juices. The Obsidian is made with ZoZo Kick-off, activated charcoal, then blended with strawberry and lemon. The Nightcap is a creamy alternative, mixing cacao nut milk with cold brew and a hint of cardamom, then topped with shaved chocolate.33 Waugh Dr., Houston, goodgodnadines.com
Coltivare
This Italian restaurant in the Heights is ringing in Dry January with a whole list of non-alcoholic tipples. Try the Not & Tonic, which uses locally produced zero-proof gin from A Cut Above that offers a botanical mix of flavors like juniper oil, cardamom, and Mexican lime. It’s mixed with grapefruit, mint, and elderflower tonic water, revealing a fragrant and refreshing booze-free alternative to the original. Other mocktails in the lineup include Madame Pamplemousse, Silly Langtree, and Reset Spritz. For something really unique, try the Et Tu, Brute?, made with Amarato Lucano Zero, Lyres Italian Spirit, and Topo Chico. 3320 White Oak Dr., Houston, agricolehospitality.com/coltivare
Anvil
Bobby Heugel and his partners were on the forefront of the craft cocktail movement when they debuted Anvil in Montrose in 2009. The menu is robust, but even the most seasoned imbiber may want to take a break from booze. Anvil has a couple of seasonal mocktails that fit the bill. The 1925 Fizz is created with “amaro”, sour cherry, almond, and cream, while the Family Affair is a botanical quaff of gin alternative, lemon, elderflower, and a licorice hint of tarragon. 1424 Westheimer Rd., Houston, anvilbar.comqq
HiFi at the Finn
This vinyl listening lounge, located on the second level of the Finn in Downtown, is among the area’s best cocktail bars. Food and beverage director Terra Vasquez has created several edgy, booze-free drinks for January. The Tang, Tang, Taaang is a house-made tangerine soda drink with a shot of non-alcoholic tequila from A Cut Above, plus lime oleo syrup and agave. Pine the Time Away is a tiki-style drink made with pineapple, ginger, agave, lime, and No Sec liqueur, delivering tropical vacation vibes in the middle of winter. 712 Main St., Houston, thefinnhou.com/hifi-at-the-finn
Hearsay
With multiple locations across the city—even reaching the Strand in Galvesto—this restaurant and tavern concept is booming. Menus vary slightly at each location, but the free-spirited menu showcases six zero-proof beverages that are unique and interesting. Guests can indulge in a Faux-Spresso martini or a Jalapeno-Mock-a-Rita, along with choices such as the Grapefruit Spritz, made with Giffard non-alcoholic grapefruit liqueur, Peychaud’s bitters, and soda. For CBD enthusiasts, there’s the Pineapple Express, a tropical mix of Moni guava syrup, pineapple, lime, and soda, plus an addition of CBD syrup. Multiple locations, hearsaygastrolounge.com
Bar Moon
The sumptuous environs of this celestially themed bar make it a stellar spot for sipping a zero-proof cocktail. The moody lounge is a collaboration between The Bastion Collection, the group behind Michelin-starred Le Jardinier, and acclaimed local catering company Café Natalie. Mocktails like the Laguna, made with garam masala, cacao nibs, and coconut water, showcase the thoughtful approach behind drinks designed to shine without the booze. Other standout sips include Familiar Tides, a non-alcoholic take on a margarita made with salted pineapple, lime, and cilantro sea foam. 1800 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, barmoonhouston.com
Katami
Katami’s mocktails are designed to complement the menu, while still bold enough to stand on their own.The Shiso Side mocktail is herbaceous and bright with a gentle hint of spice, making it a natural match for everything from toro tartare and shishito peppers to refined sushi selections. The Sunamono Sour serves as a tasty refresher, bringing tropical notes that pair effortlessly with hotate and cucumber crudo, the Katami salad, and the king crab sando. 2701 W. Dallas St., Houston, katamihouston.com
Julep
This James Beard Award-winning cocktail bar from Alba Huerta features an extensive cocktail list, including two zero-proof drinks. The Lychees & Raspberry is exactly that, plus some lime and Ritual agave alternative. The Mint Condition, made with Ritual gin alternative, mint, lime, and cucumber is a refreshing pairing for raw oysters on the half shell—a must when visiting Julep. 1919 Washington Ave., Houston,julephouston.com
Kata Robata
Kata Robata’s non-alcoholic cocktail menu is approached with the same precision as the food. Citrus-forward options like the Fake ID, made with Fever-Tree ginger beer, lychee, and lemon, cut through rich dishes like the kakuni pork belly, while the Beet Around the Bush blends green tea, beet, lemon, and mint for an earthy, refreshing match to salads and citrus-marinated sashimi. 3600 Kirby Dr. Ste. H, Houston, katarobata.com
Latuli
Chef Bryan Caswell is at the helm of this stylish restaurant in Memorial, known for comfort dishes like wild boar ragu and wagyu barbacoa. Guests can take to the adults-only bar and enjoy snacks like French onion dip and duck confit spring rolls, paired with a couple of different mocktails. The Spring Saddle blends Ritual zero-proof tequila with strawberry chamomile, lemon, and lime, then finishes with soda for a fizzy, fruit-forward sip. The Ginger Spur is also made with non-alcoholic tequila and gets a spicy kick from ginger beer and fresh orange juice. 8900 Gaylord Dr., Houston, latuli.com
Zanti Cucina Italiana
The new year can still be one of dolce vita at this buzzy Italian restaurant in the River Oaks Shopping Center. Find seasonal mocktails like La Mora di Zanti, made with Seedlip Garden—an herbal zero-proof spirit from England crafted with farm-fresh ingredients like peas. The herbaceous theme continues with lavender hibiscus blackberry syrup, fresh mint, and lemon, all topped with soda for a lively, bubbly finish. Seedlip zero-proof liquors also make their way into drinks like Marg No Rita, Tiki Good, and Berry Brezza. 1958 W. Gray, Houston, zanticucina.com/river-oaks
Azumi
This Japanese restaurant in the River Oaks District serves dishes like surf and turf saltado and miso black cod—bold flavors that pair beautifully with equally complex non-alcoholic drinks like the Boketto, made with Seedlip Garden, jasmine green tea, cucumber, and yuzu. There’s also a Matcha Colada, a concoction of matcha tea, coconut, pineapple, and lime, perfect for pairing with tuna ceviche or the giant prawn entree. 4444 Westheimer Rd., Houston, azumirestaurantsnts.com/houston/
Kazzan Ramen & Bar
This volcano ramen eatery has introduced a non-alcoholic beer that pairs seamlessly with its menu. Asahi Super Dry 0.0% delivers the same crisp, lightly malty character as the classic lager—minus the alcohol—making it an ideal match for sushi and tonkotsu ramen. For a citrus-forward option, there’s also the XX, a yuzu green tea mocktail for just $6. 191 Heights Blvd., Houston, kazzanramenhtx.com
Bar Bludorn
Aaron Bludorn’s upscale Memorial-area tavern is a modern meeting place. Whether you are enjoying French-inspired dishes like roasted duck and steak frites, or just popping into the bar for country ham beignets, there are several non-alcoholic pairings to go with your meal. Along with non-alcoholic beer-based drinks, there is the Charlatan Rita, a spicy mocktail made with Seedlip Garden, lime juice, orange agave, and a dash of 807 hot sauce. For a dessert drink, try the Phony Float, a combination of St. Agretis Phony Espresso, negroni cold brew, and vanilla ice cream. 9061 Gaylord Dr., Houston, barbludorn.com
The Union Kitchen
All Houston-area locations of the Union Kitchen are featuring a new lineup of zero-proof beverages for $6 each. The menu runs the gamut from bright and bubbly to creamy and indulgent. The Ginger Apple Fizz is a cozy-meets-crisp mix of ginger ale, apple juice, and cinnamon syrup, while the Berry Cilantro Limeade gets a sweet and tart lift from lime and Sprite. The Dreamsicle channels classic soda-shop vibes with orange soda topped with French vanilla cold foam; and the Passion Topo brings a zesty kick with passionfruit purée, lime juice, Topo Chico, and a Tajín rim. Multiple locations, theunionkitchen.com
