There are probably hundreds of alcoholic drinks you can order at a bar, but what non-alcoholic drinks do you think you’ll find at your typical bar?
Before I ever thought about the types of drinks bartenders could viably make, I used to dread going to the bar in fear of being stuck with a soda (I’m not 11 years old) or a basic iced tea. However, don’t be surprised to see the latter in a few of the drinks I recommend asking your bartender for at your next happy hour or social gathering.
The best non-alcoholic drinks at a bar are the ones that satisfy your needs.
Whether that’s a drink in your hand to avoid questions about why you’re alcohol-free, maybe you simply want something tasty to sip on while abstaining from alcohol. Whatever the reason, it’s yours, and it doesn’t matter.
Keep reading to learn about tasty non-alcoholic classics, including ingredients, variations, and make-at-home versions, if you want to stay in for the evening.
But first, let’s briefly answer a few related questions that I find helpful when ordering non-alcoholic drinks at a bar.
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What is the most popular drink without alcohol?
So many drinks could take the crown here. I hate to say it, but it’s soda. It’s easy, every bar has a soda gun, and it doesn’t need any thought behind it.
Does this mean you have to order a soda? Heck no, keep reading to see your alternatives.
What is an excellent non-alcoholic drink to order at a bar?
This question is very subjective, but out of the drinks listed below, I’ll go with a non-alcoholic gin and tonic. Ask your bartender if they stock something like this zero-proof gin alternative. Hint, these spirits should be mixed instead of sipped neat or on the rocks for the best experience!
How do you order non-alcoholic drinks?
Like any other drink, however, I think it’s helpful to have and know the ingredients of a few of your favorite non-alcoholic beverages in case your bartender doesn’t.
Every bartender should know how to make the drinks on this list, but you can never be sure; that’s why knowing what you want beforehand gives you a great advantage.
Low sugar non-alcoholic drinks to order at a bar
The ingredients in any mixed drink, alcoholic or non-alcoholic, that contains the most sugar are the mixers. You’ll want to avoid juice, soda, and simple syrups, so it’s best to stick with basic drinks like club soda with lime or something similar.
Non-alcoholic drinks that look like alcohol!
Super important for a few reasons. One, I’m still an adult and want to feel good about the drink in my hand. Secondly, I don’t like being an afterthought at the bar because I don’t drink alcohol.
Any great bartender will put the same effort and craft into a non-alcoholic drink as they do with an alcoholic one.
Essential Classics
Virgin Mojito
It will depend on the bartender because they will still have to muddle, even in the non-alcoholic version, so maybe it’s best to order this when it’s not busy.
Ingredients: Fresh lime juice, simple syrup, mint leaves, and soda water
Variations: Virgin Strawberry Mojito, Raspberry Nojito (get it), Ginger and Lemon Nojito.
Alternative Non-Alcoholic Spirit Version: Grab a bottle of Ritual Zero Proof. Add fresh mint and squeeze limes into a highball glass. Add Rum Alternative (2 oz.) and crushed ice. Stir with a bar spoon to bring it together. Add more ice and top with soda.
Virgin Bloody Mary
The classic savory Sunday brunch drink, just without the vodka. Pro tip – If you’re missing some of the bitterness that vodka adds, ask the bartender for a recommended substitution.
Ingredients: Tomato juice, Worcester sauce, Tabasco sauce, celery salt, pepper, fresh lime juice
Alternative Non-Alcoholic Spirit Version: Use 2 oz Seedlip Garden 108, 4 oz tomato juice, ½ oz lemon juice, 4 oz Worcestershire sauce, and four dashes of tabasco sauce. Throw it all into a cocktail shaker and top with ice, gently mix, pour into a serving glass, and top with ice and garnish.
Non-Alcoholic Moscow Mule
I love ginger, so this is one of my favorites, and you won’t even miss the vodka.
Ingredients: Fresh lime juice, ginger beer. For less ginger bite, cut with club soda
Variation: Grapefruit Mule (original ingredients + grapefruit juice)
Virgin Piña Colada
I’m confident this was the 1st virgin drink I ordered on a cruise when I was 15. Isn’t this what you get when you’re cruising to the Bahamas?
Ingredients: Coconut milk, fresh lime juice, pineapple juice, coconut cream, ice
Non-Alcoholic Gin and Tonic
You can’t get much classier than a G&T, and it’s so simple as long as the bar stocks non-alcoholic gin.
Ingredients: Non-alcoholic gin, tonic water, lime wedge
Variation: Non-Alcoholic Pink Gin and Tonic
Alternative Non-Alcoholic Spirit Version: Try 2 oz Ritual Zero Proof Gin, 4 oz tonic water, and a few lime wedges. Fill a highball glass with ice, add gin, top with tonic water and gently stir. Garnish with lime.
No Tequila Sunrise
Super simple, you’ll get your daily dose of vitamin C without the tequila killing all the benefits.
Ingredients: Orange juice, grenadine
Variation: Ginger Sunrise | Ginger beer, orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice
Alternative Non-Alcoholic Spirit Version: Use 3 oz Lyre’s Agave Blanco Non-Alcoholic Spirit, ½ oz grenadine, and 3 oz orange juice. Pour the tequila and orange juice into a glass over ice. Add the grenadine, which will sink to the bottom. Do not stir. Garnish and serve.
Something Different
Abstinence On The Beach
You just have to love these drink names!
Ingredients: Peach purée, cranberry juice, orange juice
Variation: Cuddles on the beach | Cranberry juice, white grapefruit juice, peach nectar
CHAMpagne
There’s something about saying the word (cham-pag-nee).
Ingredients: Apple juice, ginger beer
Variation: Pink Champagne mocktail
San Pellegrino Sanbitter and Soda
It’s a Campari and soda without the booze. If you like it bitter, this is the drink for you.
Ingredients: San Pellegrino Sanbitter and soda
Virgin Collins
You’ll love this non-alcoholic classic on a warm sunny afternoon.
Ingredients: Lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda. You can sub any sweet syrup or cordial like elderflower
Alternative Non-Alcoholic Spirit Version: 2 oz Lyre’s Dry London Spirit, 1/2 oz simple syrup, 1 oz lemon juice, 2 oz soda. Add ingredients to glass, stir, and fill with ice.
Cranberry and Ginger Beer
Even though the word ‘beer’ is in the drink, there is no alcohol in ginger beer. Think of it as a craft version of ginger ale.
Ingredients: Cranberry juice, ginger beer, soda water, lime, mint,
Virgin Toddy
This is the business if you want something warm and soothing on a cold night.
Ingredients: Hot water, lemon, honey
Variations: You can substitute a variety of citrus, a selection of herbs or spices (e.g., cloves, cinnamon, rosemary, thyme, etc.) can be used, and you can swap out the honey for agave or perhaps a house-flavored syrup.
For The Big Kids
Roy Rogers
The OG Cherry Cola drink! And I prefer this version over bottled or canned cherry cola from any macro soda companies.
Ingredients: Grenadine, cola, and don’t forget the maraschino cherries
Shirley Temple
You may think this is a kids’ drink, and you’re right, it is, but there is a grown-up version that you might like as well.
Ingredients: Grenadine, ginger ale
Grown-Up Version: Sub tonic water for ginger ale and add lemon syrup
Soda and mint syrup
Ingredients: Mint syrup, seltzer, a slice of lime + fresh mint if available
Keep It Simple
Kombucha
I love Kombucha and even brew it myself at home. Have the bartender serve it in a wine glass to make it feel fancy.
Non-Alcoholic Beer
Many bars are starting to carry non-alcoholic beers like Heineken 0.0 or Athletic Brewing now that people are starting to reevaluate how much they drink, so don’t forget to ask your bartender what they have.
Club Soda and Lime
This drink is as easy as it gets and still looks like you’re sipping something special.
Ingredients: Club soda and lime
Arnold Palmer
You may not remember who Arnold Palmer is (hint, he’s a golf legend), but you’ll never forget how easy it is to make his favorite drink.
Ingredients: Iced tea and lemonade
Variation: Sparkling Palmer, Lavender Palmer
Lemonade or Soda and bitters
Remember that bitters are alcoholic, but you’ll only need a few dashes, so it’ll be very little.
Ingredients: Lemonade, or soda, and Angostura bitters, or non-alcoholic bitters if they have them.
Simple Syrup and Soda
When I say soda, I’m referring to club soda, fizzy water, not a soft drink soda like cola.
Ingredients: Any simple syrup and soda
Ginger Shot
If you’ve ever heard of the penicillin cocktail, this is that in-a-shot version, minus the scotch.
Ingredients: Ginger juice, lemon juice, honey
Conclusion
This list only hits the tip of the iceberg regarding non-alcoholic drinks and what bartenders can theoretically concoct.
Hopefully, you’ve got some great ideas to run with that will be helpful on your next outing at the bar.
Cheers!