Make Mine a Mocktail

Cheers to virtuous socializing! You can have a grand night out with your partner or friends while minimizing any after-effects with marvelous mocktails beyond the Dry/Damp January trends. Many tantalizing concoctions at these establishments may make you think they are the real thing. If you are taking a break from the booze or simply prefer non-alcoholic options, enjoy guilt-free beverages and more when you are Exploring North Shore Restaurants.

 

Bar Siena, Westfield Old Orchard, Skokie

Zero-Proof Drinks Across the Mediterranean
Classic and contemporary Greek fare at Avli Estiatorio Restaurant (Winnetka) shines with specialty mocktails Medusa’s Potion (house-made grape reduction, lemon juice, habanero/ginger syrup, black squid ink, ginger beer, chili threads) and Spiced Bouquet (cranberry juice, orgeat, lemon juice, cinnamon, sprite, cardamom bitters, rosewater). Bar Siena (Westfield Old Orchard, Skokie) applies Italian influences with lemon in their Siena Smash (cherry lavender, Luxardo cherries) and Vita Vibrante, a non-alcoholic aperitivo with lavender-honey. Coarse Italian (Glenview) compliments their menu adding Basil Limonata Orgeat with lemon juice, basil, soda water and Berry Bramble Blueberries with ginger syrup, lime juice, soda water. Sample peach-ified zero-proof cocktails like Italian Orchard (raspberry, apple/cranberry juices) and Bellini Hurricane (orange/pineapple juices) at Di Pescara (Northbrook Court, Northbrook).
 

501 Local, Winnekta

Guilt-Free Bistro and Café Bevvies
Casual bistro vibes make for merry mocktails, too. 501 Local (Winnetka) embellishes fruity drink options featuring Seedlip, the first allergy-friendly, distilled non-alcoholic spirit. Try their takes on classics with Seedlip Garden 108: the 108 Gimlet (homemade lime cordial, orange) and Garden Mule (lime juice, ginger beer, lemon). Another fan of the new N/A spirits, Evanston Corner Bistro (Evanston) concocts Apple Spice with the perfect sip of crisp apple, tart lemon, and warm cinnamon and Garden Party’s fresh mix of pineapple, basil syrup, and lime. Complimentary Café (Skokie) uses absolutely-no-alcohol tequilas and rums in their Blackberry Spritz, Mint Mojito, and Passion Fruit Mojito alongside organic, fair-trade tea and coffee.
 

NaKorn, Evanston

Asian and Coastal Faux-Cocktail Flavors
Jimoto (Winnetka) is mixing the popular herbal Seedlip spirits with Japanese flare in the Ichigo N/A including lychee syrup with strawberry puree and Matcha Ringo N/A, a variation with simple syrup, mint, and apple and lemon juices. Nakorn’s (Evanston) modern presentation extends to their specialty mocktails: Glitz and Glam (rosemary-cranberry, lime, pearl syrup, Three Cents tonic) and Silk Road (spiritless Jalisco 55, lime, simple syrup, creme of coconut). Get your Zero Proof Sparkling Rose, Gingerly Thymed, or The Pom & Pepper (n/a sparkling rosé, pomegranate, black pepper, lime) by the glass or…in a cute giant sea shell (!!!) at The Hampton Social (Westfield Old Orchard, Skokie).
 

Peckish Pig, Evanston

Spirit Masters Mix It Up
Even the local brewers and spirit-makers are on-board with mocktail options. Brit-style brewpub Peckish Pig (Evanston) serves up the bitter and refreshing Phony Negroni from award-winning St. Agrestis using old-world methods to combine organic herbs, spices, and citrus, as well as the Sin & Tonic (LYRE'S N/A Gin, tonic, lemon, cucumber). Take Flight Spirits (Skokie) will whip up some of their craft distillery cocktails for you spirit-free. Check out their popular Cocktail Classes for booze-free options, too.
 

Sophia Steak, Wilmette

Steak Places for the Sober Curious
The meals may be hearty at your favorite steakhouse, but you can still imbibe with alcohol-free bevvies. Sophia Steak (Wilmette) touts their “Designated Driver” list of Cat's Meow (Ritual Zero Proof Gin, honey lemon sour) or Blackberry Smash (Ritual Zero Proof Rum, lemon, blackberry). Virgin variations at meat-centric hideaway The Barn Steakhouse (Evanston) include Blackened Lemonade, a classic lemonade, sweetened with maple syrup, and finished off with activated charcoal for that sexy blackened effect.