The holiday season means big cozy dinners with family and friends, rich wintery foods and plenty of libations to celebrate the season—but sometimes our bodies need a little break from the festivities, especially the booze. Whether not imbibing is a personal preference or a much-needed break, mocktails are here to save the day!
With bars across the Metro Vancouver offering beautifully crafted mocktails, taking a night (or forever) off the sauce doesn’t need to put a dent in your social plans (and your mouth will thank you!)
Put down that water and join us as we sample tasty spirit-free concoctions across the region, all of which are served by eateries dishing up tasty cuisine to boot. Cheers!
Piva Modern Italian
Piva’s roots date back to 1917, when Giuseppe Piva emigrated from northern Italy to British Columbia and dove into a life of farming. The elegant eatery honours his passion for local ingredients and traditional Italian cuisine crafted using modern techniques – and the mouthwatering menu includes several non-alcoholic brews. We love the Tuscan Sunset, a delicate blend of lavender and rose syrup, lemon and soda that leaves us supremely satisfied – even sans booze.
787 Columbia Street, New Westminster
The Acorn
The Acorn’s acclaimed vegan and vegetarian menu boasts bold flavours and exquisite plating – even hardcore carnivores will leave satisfied. Similarly, the restaurant’s cocktail list creatively incorporates herbs and fruits with non-alcoholic options that are just as complex and thoughtfully crafted. Try the Lavanda Fizz, made with lavender, fresh lemon, sparkling water, and bitters.
3995 Main Street, Vancouver
Cactus Club
Cactus Club serves a solid meal with menu options running the gamut from burgers and salads to exotic bowls and wraps. The cocktail list features a nice mix of classics and feisty seasonal options (Frosé, anyone?), as well as a couple of spirit-free concoctions that are flavourful enough to hide the lack of booze. Try the Hey Hibiscus, perfect for patio worshippers with floral notes from hibiscus and rose layered with a fruity kick contributed by ginger, white peach and lemon.
Multiple locations in Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Richmond, Surrey, Langley and Vancouver’s North Shore
Milltown Bar + Grill
101-9191 Bentley Street, Richmond
Situated on Richmond Island, this lively bar boasts two waterfront patios with expansive views of the Coast Mountains, Fraser River and airport runway. As you watch planes take off, indulge in simple yet well-made West Coast fare paired with martinis, beer, wine and a selection of virgin cocktails that allow non-imbibers to join in the fun. Whether your taste preferences run to mojitos, Caesars, piña coladas or margaritas, you’ll find a tasty non-alcoholic alternative to suit.
H Tasting Lounge
Inspired by glamorous Hollywood, The Westin Bayshore’s H Tasting Lounge serves exquisitely presented cocktails and small plates that are locally sourced and globally inspired.
Known for their whimsical and inventive themed menus, this holiday season their cocktail menu pays homage to the nostalgia of last-minute Christmas shopping in the quintessential 80’s mall, playfully called ‘The 12 Cocktails of Christmas Shopping. With several spirit-free showstoppers on the menu, our favourite has to be the Movie Theatre: hojicha, corn silk syrup black sesame coconut milk saline, and chocolate pretzel foam.
1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver
There are many ways to get to these by transit. Visit TransLink’s Trip Planner to find your way.
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