Non-alcoholic drinks have evolved far beyond their humble beginnings, when options felt limited to seltzer and lime. With the introduction of high-quality, spiritless spirits and a rising interest in healthy living, the demand has surged for flavorful, alcohol-free alternatives. Today, bars and restaurants across North Carolina embrace the trend and offer sophisticated, yet sober, social experiences for drinkers and nondrinkers alike.
Mark Weddle, beverage industry veteran and bar manager at the highly acclaimed restaurant 1618 West in Greensboro, shares insights into this growing trend. “The demand for mocktails has significantly increased as more people are exploring health-conscious choices without compromising on taste,” he says. At 1618 West, creating a great non-alcoholic drink involves a meticulous balance of ingredients and techniques to give it complexity. “The art of crafting mocktails can be just as intricate, if not more so, than traditional cocktails,” Weddle explains.
Toast golden hour on the patio of 1618 West with a Purified Margarita. Photography courtesy of 1618 West
The rise of mocktails is here to stay, and Weddle says it’s all about being inclusive. He’s heartened by the paradigm shift. “What bars and restaurants really represent are meeting and gathering spaces where people come together and share ideas and experiences, and I don’t want anybody to feel left out,” he says. “Whether you’re an expecting mother, someone in recovery, or just taking a break from alcohol — everyone should be able to enjoy a sophisticated, flavorful drink.”
We’ve scoured restaurants and bars around North Carolina and mapped out a Mocktail Trail that offers a diverse array of alcohol-free delights, from innovative bar environments to the serene settings of coastal venues. From the mountains to the coast, we’ll take you across our state, highlighting some of the best spots to enjoy these refreshing beverages.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause a range of lifelong physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). FASD cannot be cured, but it can be prevented by not drinking alcohol during your pregnancy.
Antidote, with its vintage apothecary-themed decor, transports guests to a bygone era. The mocktail menu is nothing short of magical, featuring concoctions like the Lavender Elixir, which combines botanical infusions with artisanal syrups. The knowledgeable bartenders are passionate about their craft, often experimenting with new flavors and techniques to delight their guests. The warm, nostalgic atmosphere makes it a must-visit spot in Asheville’s vibrant downtown.
Sip a Pollinator or other flavorful mocktail made with fresh juices and other quality ingredients at The Buzz. Photography courtesy of The Buzz
In the charming town of Hendersonville, The Buzz stands out as a pioneering sober bar and café. Established by the Hope Coalition, The Buzz provides a serene, alcohol-free environment that supports social connections. The menu features more than a dozen zero-proof mocktails like the Pollinator, made with a rum alternative, pineapple juice, orange juice, and cream of coconut. The Buzz not only provides a welcoming space for all ages, but also reinvests its profits into local recovery programs.
Beyond drinks, choose from elevated comfort food, like Sloppy Joe mac ’n’ cheese, smash burgers, and vegetarian bowls, at FizzEd. Photography courtesy of FizzEd
FizzEd bills itself as a “family bar” offering casual fare in a playful space that suits patrons of all ages. The menu includes revised classics like The Gilded Age — a sophisticated version of the Shirley Temple — plus a DIY option allowing bargoers to use a variety of fruit flavors to concoct their own NA Fizz. With regular events like trivia nights and live music, owners Amy and Mike Forrester ensure there’s always something bubbling.
At Greensboro’s upscale 1618 West, mocktails are crafted with the same dedication to quality as their cocktails. Weddle highlights the Purified Margarita, a standout featuring non-alcoholic tequila, fresh lime and lemon juices, agave nectar, and a splash of pineapple juice for added body and complexity.
Non-alcoholic beverages at Restaurant Constance receive the same level of thought as their alcoholic counterparts, with drinks designed to complement the seasonal menu. Photography courtesy of Restaurant Constance
Charlotte’s Restaurant Constance offers a chic dining experience with a mocktail menu designed to complement its fresh, seasonal menu. Executive chef and owner Sam Diminich, known for winning Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay, has been sober for more than eight years. His personal journey influences the restaurant’s impressive non-alcoholic cocktail list, which features the Dear Rosemary made with cherry, strawberry, beet, kombucha, and rosemary ice.
At Dram & Draught, reach for a Thyme & Space (left) or the Blue Rain (right). Photography courtesy of Dram & Draught
While Raleigh bar Dram & Draught is known primarily for its extensive list of 300 whiskeys, it also offers a dedicated list of low- to no-ABV options. Community members are invited to submit mocktail recipes, and the best get added to the menu — one crowd favorite, Thyme & Space, is made with thyme, lemon, lime, and blackberry.
Wilmington’s Mocksie stakes its claim as North Carolina’s first non-alcoholic bar and bottle shop. Its laid-back beach vibe beckons folks to gather and enjoy a mocktail like the Tropical Fizz, featuring fresh pineapple, coconut, and a splash of soda. Owner Carter Jewell also curates a bevy of sober sips from NA beers to de-alcoholized wines, available to take home.
Sip a Pollinator or other flavorful mocktail made with fresh juices and other quality ingredients at The Buzz. Photography courtesy of TriO
TRiO Restaurant & Market in Kitty Hawk has the intimate atmosphere of a wine bar and makes room for nondrinkers with an impressive list of handmade mocktails. Offerings include an NA riff called the Light and Stormy, featuring an alternative rum mixed with ginger beer, and the Outer Banks Breeze, an energizing blend of citrus and mint.
Sip a Base Tan at Outer Banks Distilling, made with guava juice, seaweed-infused coconut water, lime juice, simple syrup, and allspice bitters. Photography courtesy of Baxter Miller
Known for its superb rums, Outer Banks Distilling in Manteo offers an unexpected twist by providing alcohol-free versions of their renowned cocktails in its Wheelhouse Lounge. The Devil Killer is a tropical delight featuring cream of coconut shaken with pineapple and orange juices and dusted with fresh grated nutmeg.
“With one in seven pregnancies exposed to alcohol in the United States, there is a real need for alcohol-free options,” Lauren Borchert says. She is the program manager for Proof Alliance NC, a program of The Arc of North Carolina, which is the leading advocacy organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the state. As North Carolina’s fetal alcohol prevention program, Proof Alliance NC offers a variety of trainings across the state to educate about the importance of preventing alcohol-exposed pregnancies. “There’s a lot of misinformation about alcohol and pregnancy, but the only known cause of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders is prenatal alcohol exposure. Seeing the mocktail movement take off and be embraced by so many wonderful restaurants across the state is exciting,” Borchert says.
Ready to learn more about non-alcoholic alternatives in North Carolina? Check out Our State’s collaboration with Weddle on the Magnificent Mocktails recipe series.
Funding Provided By:
NC Department of Health & Human Services | Funded by the SAMHSA-SAPTBG 2B08T
Certain materials or features herein are the property of Proof Alliance® or its licensors and are protected by applicable trademark and copyright law.
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