It may seem weird to think about, but bars actually do serve non-alcoholic drinks. This comes in handy when you’re under 21, or simply just don’t enjoy the taste of alcohol or the feeling of drinking. (I mean, who really wants to deal with a major hangover on a Sunday morning?) Basically, every cocktail can be made into a mocktail — the delicious taste of everything in the cocktail, minus the alcohol. If you ever find yourself at the bar and can’t think of what to order, here are the best non-alcoholic drinks to ask the bartender for. We are obsessed with these, and you will be, too. P.S. Remember that you can always order a glass of tonic water with lime if you want to keep it simple.
#SpoonTip: No matter what you’re drinking, make sure to always drink responsibly. Spoon does not promote binge or underage drinking.
- Shirley Temple
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How could I not start with the mother of all non-alcoholic drinks?
When I was younger, I had a Shirley Temple in my hand at every wedding, birthday party, and family event. It felt like I was drinking a cocktail with the grownups.
But even as I get older, the Shirley Temple never fails. It’s still my go-to drink order at every bar and restaurant. It’s made of ginger ale (though I prefer Sprite) and a splash of grenadine, which is a pomegranate syrup. It’s topped with a maraschino cherry, which you always have to eat at the end as a sweet little treat.
- Roy Rogers
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Not to be confused with the singer or food chain, a Roy Rogers is basically the older brother of Shirley Temples. This drink, however, has Coke mixed with the grenadine instead. It’s perfect if you’re a Coke over Sprite person (which is a wrong opinion, but we won’t get into that).
- Arnold Palmer
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Again, this is a drink, not a person (although it is named after a famous golfer). An Arnold Palmer consists of iced tea and lemonade, which in my opinion, is the perfect combination and the only way lemonade should be enjoyed. It’s super refreshing, especially if it’s summertime. Don’t forget to add a lemon wedge!
- Virgin Piña Colada
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You can order any classic alcoholic drink “virgin” to make it into a mocktail. My favorite is a piña colada, which combines coconut cream and pineapple juice. It’s typically shaken or blended, making it that delicious slushy consistency.
Some other virgin drinks I love ordering are mojitos, strawberry daiquiris, and margaritas.
- Non-Alcoholic Beer
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Beer companies are always coming out with non-alcoholic alternatives to their classic drinks. Sam Adams has the N/A Golden Lager, Heineken has 0.0, and Athletic Brewing offers a variety of non-alcoholic craft beer. These are perfect if you like the flavor of beer, but not the alcoholic part of it.
This article was previously published on February 27, 2024.