The Guide to Non-Alcoholic Cocktails and Shops in LA
All of the fun, none of the booze
Golden Health Tonic at Apotheke | Photo: Max Milla
Pocket Full of Horses at Big Bar | Photo: Eugene Lee
Boisson Brentwood
Los Angeles has always been a free-spirited city, and now it's literally an option at bars and restaurants serving spirit-free, non-alcoholic cocktails.
Once an afterthought on drink menus - if they were offered at all - No-ABV cocktails are created with the same sophistication and top-notch ingredients as spirit-based drinks. It's a burgeoning trend for many in the bar industry who have embraced a healthy, sober lifestyle that goes well beyond Dry January, the traditional post-holiday break from imbibing.
And just as they have with alcohol brands, celebs have jumped on the NA bandwagon, including Katy Perry (De Soi) and Bella Hadid (Kin Euphorics).
Whether you're sober-curious, participating in Dry January, or don't drink at all for whatever reason, read on for bars with No-ABV cocktails and shops dedicated to NA products.
Apothéke
Located in Chinatown, the pharmacy-themed Apotheke features four spirit-free Wellness Tonics that would not look out of place at a juice bar or spa. The Anti-Anxiety is made with Seedlip Garden, bell pepper, juniper berry, fennel, sea salt, rainbow peppercorn, ginger, lime and club soda.
Other tonics include the Golden Health (almond milk, turmeric, lavender, cardamom, grass-fed whey, black pepper, ginger, honey, coconut oil), Anti-Oxidant (açaí, blueberry, blackberry, maqui berry, tart cherry, baobab, lime, cilantro) and Mental Vitality (beet, basil, APO Brainstorm Tea, ginger, lime, club soda).
Big Bar
Lead bartender Abigail Smith created several No-ABV cocktails for the latest menu at Big Bar in Los Feliz. The Pocket Full of Horses is a NA Old Fashioned-style drink made with Spiritless Kentucky 74, Palo Santo, Melati, Three Spirits Social Elixir and Super Chai.
Other options include the Apothecary (Three Spirits Livener, Lemon, Serrano Chili, Q Tonic, Charred Rosemary), Tropic Thunder (Seedlip Grove, Pineapple, Lime, Ginger, Mint, Q Soda) and the Supernova, a No-ABV riff on the Bossa Nova with Lyre's Aperitif Dry, Turkish Apricot, Cardamom, Lemon and Italian Parsley.
Death & Co.
Renowned Arts District bar Death & Co. offers several non-alcoholic cocktails on its seasonal menu - the No Ordinary Love is made with LA-based Optimist Botanicals “Smokey,” Don’s Mix and Strawberry Shrub. There's also the Jamboree! (Seedlip Grove, Giffard Aperitif, Watermelon, Lime, Cayenne Pepper) Rainbow Boa (Seedlip Spice, Ritual Zero-Proof Rum, Passion Fruit, Lime, Orgeat) and the Carlsbad Club with Monday Zero-Alcohol Gin, Lyre’s Aperitif Dry, Raspberry, Lemon, Rose Water and Egg White.
The Maybourne Bar
Beverage Director Chris Amirault was inspired by the elements for his latest menu at The Maybourne Bar. The extensive list includes a trio of No-ABV cocktails - the Hendri-X & Tonic is a highball with Cucumber Zero Gin and East Imperial Tonic. More NA options include the Hundred Acre Wood (lapsang souchong, honey, lime, pineapple, coconut cream) and the Melanie with Ghia Aperitif, pomelo, black cardamom and soda.
Melrose Umbrella
Umbrella Hospitality launched their No-ABV cocktail program on New Year's Day 2023. Available at Melrose Umbrella Co, The Corner Door and Ella Beverly Hills, the program will be curated year-round and currently features four drinks.
The Hungarian Horntail Old Fashioned is made with Three Spirit Nightcap, Pathfinder, Jasmine Green Tea, All the Bitters and "Fire." Other NA drinks include the Portland Pick Me Up (Pathfinder, Espresso, Blueberry-Cinnamon-Thyme), Don't Think Twice (Lyre's Italian Orange, Satsuma Tangerine Shrub, Lime, Bubbles) and Hotel, Motel (Apricot Black Tea, Pineapple, Lyre's Italian Orange, Lime, All the Bitters).
Boisson
New York-based Boisson quickly established an LA presence with three store openings in 2022: Brentwood, Studio City and Beverly Hills. With their "Glass Half-Full" ethos, Boisson hosts frequent in-store tastings, such as Lautus Wines, CleanCo and Caleño.
The New Bar
The self-described "alcohol-free discovery platform," The New Bar in Venice hosts a busy calendar of events like the Wine & Cheese Pairing Class, featuring NA wines and fine cheeses curated by Hilary KInzler.
Soft Spirits
Jillian Barkley opened Soft Spirits, LA's first non-alcoholic bottle shop, in October 2021. Located on the same Silver Lake block as All Day Baby and Dayglow Coffee, Soft Spirits posts monthly staff picks on its Instagram feed along with in-store tastings, which recently included LA-based Optimist Botanicals, Australia's NON wines and Surely Wines from California.