It’s Dry January: 13 Lexington bars, restaurants with mocktails to try
Sometimes trends go hand-in-hand, and the rise in health-conscious Americans and the rise of sober bars and non-alcoholic beverages are definitely related.
Over the last few years, demand has skyrocketed for alternative drinks and cocktails. A 2023 study revealed that 51% of Americans wish they had access to a sober bar, and about two thirds of those surveyed said they want to reduce their alcohol consumption, mostly citing health concerns.
According to a Grand View Research study, the ready-to-drink mocktail market was valued at $8.26 billion last year and is projected to grow nearly 6% by 2030.
The trend is taking off across Kentucky, too. The first non-alcoholic cocktails were served at the Kentucky Derby in 2019, and Kentucky-based companies like Hectare’s Cannabis Innovations and Spiritless have launched non-alcoholic alternative drinks.
In Lexington, dedicated zero-proof cocktail lists are popping up at restaurants and bars across the city. Some have cocktails listed and others have creative bartenders on staff who can make drinks to your preferred flavor profile.
“We have two mocktails officially on our menu, but with all of the fresh juices and house-made syrups, we have infinite options,” said Jess Akers, Marketing coordinator at The Grove.
If you’re part of the sober curious movement, here are some bars in Lexington serving non-alcoholic beverages you should check out, possibly during “Dry January,” when some people take a break from spirits after the holidays.
3TEN
310 Short St., 859-407-2305; 3tenlex.com. This new bar and restaurant from chef Jonathan Lundy and TJ Cox will let patrons choose from a few words on the menu, such as “fruity” or “smoky” and the bartender will craft something just for you, even if you don’t know exactly what you want. You can get it with or without alcoholic spirits. You can also get a playful twist on classic cocktail without the alcohol, paired with worldly small plates such as Spanish potatoes, lamb Samosas or pork belly Bao Buns.
Old Bourbon Country Kitchen
3373 Tates Creek Rd., 859-710-6680; obckitchen.com. This chef-driven restaurant has a dedicated menu of six zero-proof cocktails, including a play on an Old Fashioned called “Smoke Show,” made with black tea, raw sugar, non-alcoholic aromatic bitters, luxardo cherry, lemon and orange peels and smoked with bourbon- soaked oak smoke. There’s also a play on a margarita and Irish coffee. For citrus lovers, try the “Buck Wild,” a play on a strawberry mule made with fresh strawberries, basil, fresh-squeezed lime juice, sugar and ginger beer.
Harvey’s Bar at The Grove
200 W. Main St.; thegrovelex.com. This “micro-community” offers relaxed vibes, brews, cocktails, wine and charcuterie in a historic downtown building. There are two mocktails listed on the menu: an herbal and refreshing “Virgin McAdam’s” made with cucumber, lime, rosemary and club soda, and a “Virgin Blackberry Mojito” made with blackberry, mint, lime, simple syrup, and club soda. You can also give your bartender a flavor profile to come up with a special drink to suit your tastes that day.
Tuk Tuk Snack Shop
124 Malabu Drive Ste. 110; 470-588-5885; tuktuksnackshop.com.
This restaurant from critically acclaimed chef Sam Fore offers Sri Lankan-Southern fusion dishes and a cocktail list marked with stars for zero-proof options. These cocktails include the “Sacred Spaces Old Fashioned,” made with Maker’s Mark (or a zero-proof option) kithul, house bitters, angostura and lemon, a drink called “Jungle Bird” made with Jamaican rum (or a zero-proof option) contratto, pineapple, lime and demerara, and a play on a Manhattan. There are two non-alcoholic beers and a zero proof rosé as well.
Lockbox
167 W. Main St.; 859-899-6860; lockboxlex.com.
Located in the 21c Museum Hotel, this “artfully simple” restaurant is full of local flavor and a seasonal menu. In addition to an extensive cocktail and spirits menu, Lockbox has four zero-proof cocktails: a mock blonde ale called “Lyre’s N.A Spaghett,” a grapefruit-and-lime cocktail called “Girl Next Door,” a sweet orange-vanilla syrup, oat milk and club soda drink called “Orange Dream,” and a drink called “Pretty in Pink” made with cranberry, lime juice, vanilla syrup, rhubarb and ginger beer. You may also be able to ask your bartender to get creative.
Carson’s
362 E. Main St.; 3450 Todds Rd. Suite 100; carsonsfoodanddrink.com.
Now with two locations, Carson’s has an extensive list of cocktails and eight cocktail alternatives. You can try a virgin Bloody Mary with house-made Bloody Mary mix, and house-made garnish, a “Mock-Mosa,” an iced vanilla cold brew, a zero-proof red sangria or white sangria, a zero-proof jalapeno watermelon margarita, and a “Belini” made with passion fruit, mango, watermelon or peach puree topped with zero-proof Freixenet Sparkling White Wine.
Corto Lima
101 W. Short St., 859-317-8796; cortolima.com
This Latin restaurant says it has “Lexington’s best margarita” but also offers zero-proof versions of its bestsellers. There’s virgin limeade, virgin mojito, and a zero-proof green goddess drinks available, all for just $6 each. You may also want to try the “Prickly Mockarita,” a zero-proof version of this restaurant’s most popular margarita — it’s made with cactus fruit.
Jeff Ruby’s
101 W. Vine St.; 859-554-7000; jeffruby.com/lexington. You can almost always find something satisfying at Jeff Ruby’s, and that goes for zero-proof drinks as well. There are seven zero-proof drinks on this menu, including the Athletic Brewing Co.’s “Upside Dawn” mock Golden Ale, a Lavender-Lemon Fizz made with grapefruit soda, lavender syrup, lemon juice, peppered saline and fee foam, and a “Faux Jito” made with Due Vittorie Oro Gold Balsamic Vinegar, ginger beer, lime, mint and ginger.
Georgie’s Social House
161 N. Limestone; 859-212-9080; georgieslexington.com; This cocktail bar has a curated menu of cocktails as well as liquor substitutions and other cocktail options available. At a bar like this, your bartender will usually be able to whip up something you’ll like. For zero-proof drinks, try the “Costanza,” a boozeless tiki drink made with fresh lime, pineapple juice, orgeat and Angostura, or the “Mean Girl,” a fruity drink made with strawberry puree, agave, Q club soda and fresh lemon.
Villainous
191 Jefferson St.; 276-469-5976; villainous.club. This tabletop gaming pub has tables open for reservation and high-quality but low-priced bar food. You can order “magic potions” or non-alcoholic magic potions, like the “Imp’s Blood” drink, made with blueberry, elderflower and lemon, or the “Green Potion” made with cucumber, mint and lime. Each potion is served in a corked bottle and makes two to three drinks. There’s also a “Mad Tasty CBD” drink for $7.
Coles 735
735 E. Main St., 859-266-9000; Coles735main.com.
This local-first restaurant offers great seasonal ingredients and thought out plates and cocktails. And while those drinks aren’t listed online, Coles offers several non-alcoholic options, including “Mint To Be,” a drink made with house elderflower syrup, muddled basil, muddled mount, fresh lime, seltzer and a salt rim, and “Paco’s New Clothes,” a cocktail made with fresh grapefruit juice, cherry syrup, ginger beer, grapefruit soda, brown sugar and a granulated ginger rim.
Old North Bar
101 W. Loudon Ave.; 859-299-5565; oldnorthbar.com.
This bar with specialty cocktails has specialty mocktails, too! There are five on the menu with various citrusy flavors, like the “Thunder Punch,” made with peach puree, lemon juice, orange bitters and ginger beer, and the “Zephyr,” made with lime, pineapple, cranberry and grapefruit juice, agave nectar and club soda. You can ask your bartender for a custom drink here as well, if you’ve got a different taste palate in mind.
Mazunte Bodega
903 Manchester St.; 859-785-2344; mazuntebodega.com
This taco shop has all kinds of drinks, including non-alcoholic drinks like horchata (a sweetened rice milk), Jamaica sweet tea, and house-made Limeade. For a cocktail concoction, try the “Riptide Mocktail,” made with Ritual zero-proof non-alcoholic rum, blackberry, lime wedges, mint and soda water.