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A bartender pours soda water into a glass with grapefruit and lemon garnishes.
The Gin-Less Gin and Tonic cocktail from Valerie, made with Seedlip Garden 108.
Photo by Shannon Sturgis

13 Nonalcoholic Cocktails to Try in NYC

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The Gin-Less Gin and Tonic cocktail from Valerie, made with Seedlip Garden 108.
| Photo by Shannon Sturgis
This advertising content was produced in collaboration between Vox Creative and our sponsor, without involvement from Vox Media editorial staff.

The quality of craft cocktails has grown by leaps and bounds in the last decade, and the last couple years have seen a remarkable increase in the popularity of alcohol-free cocktails. But are they any good? Thankfully, yes. We’ve come a long way from super-sweet mocktails filled with juice from concentrate. Instead, New York City bars are serving layered and complex drinks made with the alcohol-free spirit of choice: Seedlip. Made from a unique blend of distilled botanicals, Seedlip comes in three flavors, Garden 108, Spice 94, and Grove 42. And whichever one you choose, it will add a layer of complexity to any drink.

Ready to tackle a dry bar crawl with friends? Want to keep Sober October going? Or maybe you just need a tasty drink with dinner that won’t give you a hangover. Either way, head to these New York City bars and restaurants serving non-alcoholic cocktails that can’t help but impress.

The latest CDC guidance for vaccinated diners during the COVID-19 outbreak is here; dining out still carries risks for unvaccinated diners and workers. Some restaurants may also experience temporary closures. Please be aware of changing local rules, and check individual restaurant websites for information regarding hours and closures, as well as any additional restrictions such as mask requirements. Find a local vaccination site here.

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Alice describes itself as an Italian seafood and lobster bar and honestly, we can’t think of anything Greenwich Village needs more. Down in the basement level of a historic brownstone, you’ll find chic guests slurping fresh oysters among exposed brick walls decorated with vintage touches. Also on the menu are dishes like a frito misto with Long Island calamari, prawns, and broccolini and orecchiette with lobster and burrata. The seafood goes well with the Body Language cocktail — it features Seedlip Spice with grape molasses, date syrup, lemon, and rose water.

The orange “Body Language” cocktail at Alice NYC, garnished with a lemon.
The Body Language cocktail from Alice.
Photo by Shannon Sturgis

Eataly NYC Downtown

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The new Spezia (Seedlip Spice 94, apple juice, ginger beer, lemon) doesn’t have any booze in it, but it still makes the perfect start to a meal at La Pizza & La Pasta A Colori. You’ll want to be fully alert for the full sensory experience at the new immersive restaurant; it’s in partnership with the Color Factory. Dine and drink under the colorful kaleidoscope canopy while you sip on your nonalcoholic cocktail and split the La Carbonara Arancione Per Due, a carbonara for two made with heirloom eggs with golden yolks. See, colorful!

Are there other restaurants that mash up Japanese and Italian cuisines? Probably, but we’d wager none of them do it as well as pandemic-arrival Kimika. Amid its stylish blond wood walls, servers shuttle dishes like a deconstructed tuna tartare, rice cake lasagna with sweet Italian sausage, and eggplant katsu with caponata among tables. And for those avoiding alcohol, we’d suggest starting or ending (or both) with the Sage Advice, a dark blue zero-proof cocktail made with Seedlip Grove 42, black tea, blueberry, sage, and lemon.

Seedlip Grove 42 in its glass bottle packaging, placed next to the Sage Advice cocktail in a glass.
Seedlip Grove 42 and Kimika’s Sage Advice cocktail.
Photo by Shannon Sturgis

Kimika’s older sister, Wayla is one of the Thai restaurants in Manhattan that helped propel the cuisine beyond cheap takeout and Amercanized versions of select dishes. Start out with the zero ABV Ginger Pear—Seedlip Spice 94, sweet and spicy homemade ginger-pear juice, and tart yuzu—to whet your appetite before diving into favorites like Moo Sarong (crispy noodle-wrapped pork meatballs), Khao Pad Pu (crab fried rice), and Pad Prik Khing (long beans with tofu in galangal chili paste).

La Mercerie

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Elegant and chic, this French bistro features handsome table settings sold in the attached Roman + Williams Guild store. But it’s not just the décor that’s worth coming for, thanks to classic and perfectly executed French dishes like boeuf bourguignon and duck confit. Save room for the non-alcoholic Épices Neuf-Quatre cocktail, a Seedlip Spice 94-based concoction with a rotating seasonal fruit syrup, soda, and star anise garnish.

Gabriel Kreuther

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The Alsatian food that the namesake chef serves at this two-Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant is rich and hearty, perfect for cold New York City nights. And while the wine list is impressive, if you stick to the booze-free (and season-appropriate) Poinsettia Punch you won’t be disappointed — it’s made with Seedlip Spice 94, spiced poached cranberry juice, lime, honey syrup, and sage.

An arm serving a drink in a white glass, garnished with cherries and herbs.
Gabriel Kreuther’s Poinsettia Punch cocktail.
Shannon Sturgis

Valerie

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This Art Deco-inspired bar near Times Square is an oasis of well-made craft cocktails and bites like a juicy burger and steak frites. When the alcoholic cocktails are this good, it stands to reason they can make some mean booze-free options and the bartenders here do not disappoint. We like the Gin-Less Gin and Tonic, with Seedlip Garden 108, ginger, and Q Elderflower Tonic.

A bartender pours soda water into a glass with grapefruit and lemon garnishes.
Valerie’s Gloria Dr Casares cocktail.
Photo by Shannon Sturgis

Hawksmoor

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When this London import finally opened its doors recently after many Covid delays, it brought a new pedigreed steakhouse to the city. And while a British steakhouse might seem weird, Hawksmoor adapts well to New York’s steak-hungry audience by offering plenty of juicy cuts that are charcoal grilled. If you need to head back to work after your power lunch, try the nonalcoholic Sour Cherry American, made with Seedlip Spice 94, sour cherry juice, and soda.

Sunday In Brooklyn

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Sunday in Brooklyn is the kind of place that people mean when they talk about a Brooklyn-style restaurant. Welcoming, but with a stylish design that includes lots of reclaimed wood, and the ideal menu of comfort food with a twist. This means dishes like handmade spinach and artichoke dip, supremely fluffy pancakes, and a fried chicken sandwich—and several non-alcoholic drinks to choose from. The Mango Daisy showcases Seedlip Grove 42 with sweet mango, tart pomegranate and lime, and piquant Tajin and salt.

Sisters

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If you’re abstaining from alcohol and your crew suggests meeting up at the fashionable Sisters in Clinton Hill, don’t worry. You’ll fit right in when you order the vegetal cocktail Garden, featuring (of course) Seedlip Garden 108 mixed with lemon, cucumber, and agave. If you feel any hunger pangs, call for the fried pickles with buttermilk ranch or the kale Caesar salad.

PLANTA Queen

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This plant-based vegan export from Toronto and Miami opened with a bang last year, offering a vibrant nightclub-esque scene with solid food to match. Start with the sushi made from watermelon and mushrooms followed by the XO Tofu, Bang Bang Broccoli, Dan Dan Noodles, and Potato Truffle Dumplings and you won’t miss the meat at all. Peruse the “Free Spirits” zero alcohol cocktail list and choose from the Cucumber Mule, Been There Thai’d That, and the Matcha Mojito, which combines Seedlip Garden 108, lime, agave, matcha powder, and mint for a tasty take on a green tea drink.

The Seedlip Garden 108 in its glass packaging and the green Matcha Mojito from Planta Queen.
Seedlip Garden 108 and Planta Queen’s Matcha Mojito.
Photo by Shannon Sturgis

Motel Morris

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The new-for-winter Golden Hour cocktail at this vaguely motel-themed Chelsea restaurant is made with Seedlip Spice 94 that’s ideally complemented by honeynut squash and orange juice. The restaurant also serves new American bites like pimento cheese deviled eggs and roasted chicken.

Fiddlesticks Pub

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Enjoy an alcohol-free night out at this lively Irish pub by ordering the Winter Berry (Seedlip Spice 94, blackberries, plum cider reduction, goldenrod honey, and lemon juice). After sipping on the festive nonalcoholic cocktail, try the extra-crunchy fish and chips, turkey burger, or the avocado salad.

Seedlip Grove 42 in a glass bottle, with the currant-colored Winter Berry cocktail from Fiddlesticks Pub.
Seedlip Grove 42 and Fiddlesticks Pub’s Winter Berry cocktail.
Photo by Shannon Sturgis
This advertising content was produced in collaboration between Vox Creative and our sponsor, without involvement from Vox Media editorial staff.

Alice

Alice describes itself as an Italian seafood and lobster bar and honestly, we can’t think of anything Greenwich Village needs more. Down in the basement level of a historic brownstone, you’ll find chic guests slurping fresh oysters among exposed brick walls decorated with vintage touches. Also on the menu are dishes like a frito misto with Long Island calamari, prawns, and broccolini and orecchiette with lobster and burrata. The seafood goes well with the Body Language cocktail — it features Seedlip Spice with grape molasses, date syrup, lemon, and rose water.

The orange “Body Language” cocktail at Alice NYC, garnished with a lemon.
The Body Language cocktail from Alice.
Photo by Shannon Sturgis

Eataly NYC Downtown

The new Spezia (Seedlip Spice 94, apple juice, ginger beer, lemon) doesn’t have any booze in it, but it still makes the perfect start to a meal at La Pizza & La Pasta A Colori. You’ll want to be fully alert for the full sensory experience at the new immersive restaurant; it’s in partnership with the Color Factory. Dine and drink under the colorful kaleidoscope canopy while you sip on your nonalcoholic cocktail and split the La Carbonara Arancione Per Due, a carbonara for two made with heirloom eggs with golden yolks. See, colorful!

Kimika

Are there other restaurants that mash up Japanese and Italian cuisines? Probably, but we’d wager none of them do it as well as pandemic-arrival Kimika. Amid its stylish blond wood walls, servers shuttle dishes like a deconstructed tuna tartare, rice cake lasagna with sweet Italian sausage, and eggplant katsu with caponata among tables. And for those avoiding alcohol, we’d suggest starting or ending (or both) with the Sage Advice, a dark blue zero-proof cocktail made with Seedlip Grove 42, black tea, blueberry, sage, and lemon.

Seedlip Grove 42 in its glass bottle packaging, placed next to the Sage Advice cocktail in a glass.
Seedlip Grove 42 and Kimika’s Sage Advice cocktail.
Photo by Shannon Sturgis

Wayla

Kimika’s older sister, Wayla is one of the Thai restaurants in Manhattan that helped propel the cuisine beyond cheap takeout and Amercanized versions of select dishes. Start out with the zero ABV Ginger Pear—Seedlip Spice 94, sweet and spicy homemade ginger-pear juice, and tart yuzu—to whet your appetite before diving into favorites like Moo Sarong (crispy noodle-wrapped pork meatballs), Khao Pad Pu (crab fried rice), and Pad Prik Khing (long beans with tofu in galangal chili paste).

La Mercerie

Elegant and chic, this French bistro features handsome table settings sold in the attached Roman + Williams Guild store. But it’s not just the décor that’s worth coming for, thanks to classic and perfectly executed French dishes like boeuf bourguignon and duck confit. Save room for the non-alcoholic Épices Neuf-Quatre cocktail, a Seedlip Spice 94-based concoction with a rotating seasonal fruit syrup, soda, and star anise garnish.

Gabriel Kreuther

The Alsatian food that the namesake chef serves at this two-Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant is rich and hearty, perfect for cold New York City nights. And while the wine list is impressive, if you stick to the booze-free (and season-appropriate) Poinsettia Punch you won’t be disappointed — it’s made with Seedlip Spice 94, spiced poached cranberry juice, lime, honey syrup, and sage.

An arm serving a drink in a white glass, garnished with cherries and herbs.
Gabriel Kreuther’s Poinsettia Punch cocktail.
Shannon Sturgis

Valerie

This Art Deco-inspired bar near Times Square is an oasis of well-made craft cocktails and bites like a juicy burger and steak frites. When the alcoholic cocktails are this good, it stands to reason they can make some mean booze-free options and the bartenders here do not disappoint. We like the Gin-Less Gin and Tonic, with Seedlip Garden 108, ginger, and Q Elderflower Tonic.

A bartender pours soda water into a glass with grapefruit and lemon garnishes.
Valerie’s Gloria Dr Casares cocktail.
Photo by Shannon Sturgis

Hawksmoor

When this London import finally opened its doors recently after many Covid delays, it brought a new pedigreed steakhouse to the city. And while a British steakhouse might seem weird, Hawksmoor adapts well to New York’s steak-hungry audience by offering plenty of juicy cuts that are charcoal grilled. If you need to head back to work after your power lunch, try the nonalcoholic Sour Cherry American, made with Seedlip Spice 94, sour cherry juice, and soda.

Sunday In Brooklyn

Sunday in Brooklyn is the kind of place that people mean when they talk about a Brooklyn-style restaurant. Welcoming, but with a stylish design that includes lots of reclaimed wood, and the ideal menu of comfort food with a twist. This means dishes like handmade spinach and artichoke dip, supremely fluffy pancakes, and a fried chicken sandwich—and several non-alcoholic drinks to choose from. The Mango Daisy showcases Seedlip Grove 42 with sweet mango, tart pomegranate and lime, and piquant Tajin and salt.

Sisters

If you’re abstaining from alcohol and your crew suggests meeting up at the fashionable Sisters in Clinton Hill, don’t worry. You’ll fit right in when you order the vegetal cocktail Garden, featuring (of course) Seedlip Garden 108 mixed with lemon, cucumber, and agave. If you feel any hunger pangs, call for the fried pickles with buttermilk ranch or the kale Caesar salad.

PLANTA Queen

This plant-based vegan export from Toronto and Miami opened with a bang last year, offering a vibrant nightclub-esque scene with solid food to match. Start with the sushi made from watermelon and mushrooms followed by the XO Tofu, Bang Bang Broccoli, Dan Dan Noodles, and Potato Truffle Dumplings and you won’t miss the meat at all. Peruse the “Free Spirits” zero alcohol cocktail list and choose from the Cucumber Mule, Been There Thai’d That, and the Matcha Mojito, which combines Seedlip Garden 108, lime, agave, matcha powder, and mint for a tasty take on a green tea drink.

The Seedlip Garden 108 in its glass packaging and the green Matcha Mojito from Planta Queen.
Seedlip Garden 108 and Planta Queen’s Matcha Mojito.
Photo by Shannon Sturgis

Motel Morris

The new-for-winter Golden Hour cocktail at this vaguely motel-themed Chelsea restaurant is made with Seedlip Spice 94 that’s ideally complemented by honeynut squash and orange juice. The restaurant also serves new American bites like pimento cheese deviled eggs and roasted chicken.

Fiddlesticks Pub

Enjoy an alcohol-free night out at this lively Irish pub by ordering the Winter Berry (Seedlip Spice 94, blackberries, plum cider reduction, goldenrod honey, and lemon juice). After sipping on the festive nonalcoholic cocktail, try the extra-crunchy fish and chips, turkey burger, or the avocado salad.

Seedlip Grove 42 in a glass bottle, with the currant-colored Winter Berry cocktail from Fiddlesticks Pub.
Seedlip Grove 42 and Fiddlesticks Pub’s Winter Berry cocktail.
Photo by Shannon Sturgis

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