Whether you are partaking in dry January after a booze-heavy holiday season, are growing a wee one and need to avoid alcohol for a few more months, or are the evening’s designated driver, here are a few places in Northern Kentucky that offer some great drinks — minus the alcohol.
Second Story: 100 W. 6th St. in Covington
Second Story offers The Uprising, which has cold brew coffee, cold foam, and pappy syrup for $11. You can also try Clear Conscience, which consists of a gin substitute, lemon, simple syrup and soda water, also for $11.
Ripple Wine Bar: 4 West Pike St. in Covington
Ripple has several options for those looking for a tasty cocktail without the booze. They offer a Ginger Garcia, which has ginger beer, apple, lime and soda for $6. They’ve also got a Leitz Sparkling Riesling or Rose for $8; an Althea, which has strawberry, pineapple, lemon and soda for $6; and Heineken 0.0 for $5.
Mama’s on Main: 621 Main St. in Covington
Mama’s on Main offers a Capri Cooler, which has balsamic strawberry puree, basic syrup and soda water for $6. You can also try a Luxardo Soda with luxardo cherry syrup, orgeat, lemon juice, rosemary syrup and soda for $6.
Bouquet: 519 Main St. in Covington
Bouquet offers a variety of proof optional and non-alcoholic drinks.
The Princess Peach has smoked peach shrub, hibiscus tea syrup, lime and club soda for $6; the Pomegranate Margarita has pomegranate, lime juice and orange peel syrup for $6; and the Painkiller has pineapple juice, orange shrub, coconut milk and nutmeg for $6.
On the simpler side, Bouquet also has a non-alcoholic spritz, an alcohol-free sparking Riesling, an alcohol-free sparking rose, and a non-alcoholic golden ale.
Jerry’s Jug House: 414 E. 7th St. in Newport
Jerry’s Jug House has a selection of non-alcoholic beers and seltzers that includes a spicy Athletic Golden Ale. You can also get their popular Cherry Coke cocktail without the liquor: It includes cane sugar cola, house made cherry syrup and fresh lime juice over flaked ice in a highball for $8.
Grassroots & Vine: 1011 S. Fort Thomas Ave. in Fort Thomas
Grassroots & Vine offers a mock sangria for $7, which includes cranberry juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, sprite and an orange slice. You could also go for a not-so-classic mule, with fresh lime juice, bitters, club soda, ginger beer and a lime wedge for $7. Also on the menu is a non-alcoholic sparking Riesling and a non-alcoholic beer.
Richs Proper: 710 Madison Ave. in Covington
Offers a Mimosa with a pineapple or cranberry substitute, along with alcohol removed sparling wine for those looking to forego the alcohol. They run $9
The Post Taps and Bottle Shop: 1136 Fort Thomas Ave. in Fort Thomas
For those who like beer but want to skip the alcohol, The Post Taps and Bottle Shop in Fort Thomas has a Brooklyn Special Effects Hoppy Amber with less than .5% ABV and a Brooklyn Special Effects IPA, which also has less than .5% ABV. Both are $4.
If you happen to be out somewhere that doesn’t have any mocktail options on the menu, try ordering these classic alcoholic beverages that can be ordered minus the booze:
- Tonic and lime: This is one of the most classic mocktails to order at a bar
- Non-alcoholic Moscow mule: Every bartender knows a Moscow Mule, ask to subtract the alcohol
- Virgin pina colada: A classic tropical cocktail that’s fun to drink with or without alcohol
- Club soda with a dash of bitters and a rosemary sprig: This is a great low-calorie mocktail easily made at any bar; if they do not have rosemary, substitute for any available herb or lemon wheel
- Virgin Mojito: leave out the rum
- Virgin Bloody Mary: without the vodka
- No-Tequila Sunrise: orange juice and cranberry juice, no booze
