Dry January: Get your ‘sober sip’ on with pleasing ‘mocktails’ at these Houston area restaurants
As 2022 comes to a close and we head into the new year, we are excited to share a list of restaurants around town that offer great mocktails for Dry January. The campaign, which was started in the UK in 2013, encourages people to abstain from alcohol for an entire month in order to give themselves time to detox from all of the excessive consumption of the “end of year” celebrations. Check out all of these great Houston area places where you can get your “sober sip” on.
Back Table Kitchen & Bar
2301 N Millbend Dr.
The Woodlands, TX 77380
281.364.6400
Start new beginnings at Back Table Kitchen & Bar with their creative and zero-proof mocktails. Choose from the Lady Bug, made with fresh mixed berries, ginger syrup made in-house, cranberry juice and sprite, and the Tropical Heat, made with pineapple juice, orange juice, mango puree, Chamoy & Chili spice rim and pineapple and jalapeño, priced at $12 each.
Bludorn
807 Taft St
Houston, TX 77019
713.999.0146
Bludorn’s bountiful cocktail menu features four zero-proof cocktails carefully curated by the restaurant’s beverage team, led by Head Bartender, Fabio Pontes and Beverage Director, Darryl Chan. Indulge in French-inspired Gulf Coast cuisine while sipping on your choice of the Dove’s Nest made with grapefruit, lime, Seedlip Garden, vanilla, and chili; Apple Bottom Sage made with apple, Verjus, and fennel-sage foam; Bissap made with hibiscus, mint, makrut leaf & lime oleo-saccharum, hop soda; and the Sardoodledom made with espresso, star anise, citrus, and tonic.
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Eloise Nichols
2400 Mid Lane #100
Houston, TX 77027
713.554.0136
In addition to its recently-updated all-day café food menu, charming restaurant Eloise Nichols will offer five refreshing mocktails made with alcohol-free spirits for the month of January, including a Mexican Mule ($8 )with Lyre’s Agave Blanco Spirit, lime juice and ginger beer; Adair Agave Lemonade ($8) with Lyre’s White Cane Spirit and agave lemonade, the Kalelujah ($8) with Lyre’s White Cane Spirit, kalelujah fresh pressed juice and pear simple syrup; a Pear Old Fashioned ($8) $with spiritless Kentucky 74 and pear simple syrup; and the Earl Grey & Tonic ($8) with Lyre’s Pink London Spirit and earl grey simple syrup.
Eunice
3737 Buffalo Speedway Suite 100
Houston, TX 77098
832.491.1717
Modern Cajun-Creole restaurant, Eunice, features seasonally-inspired menus that marry European influences with the ingredients and foodways of the Gulf Coast. In addition to the restaurant’s popular signature cocktails, the chic eatery also offers several mocktails ($8) featuring the non-alcoholic spirit Cut Above. Highlights include the Paloma with Cut Above agave, grapefruit, and grapefruit soda; the Puro Passion with Cut Above mezcal, passionfruit, and black pepper syrup; the Blackberry Smash with Cut Above gin, blackberry, and lemon; and the Cucumber Mule – a refreshing combination of Cut Above gin, cucumber, lime, and ginger beer.
Gatsby’s Prime Seafood
1212 Waugh Dr.
Houston, TX 77019
713.485.0039
In addition to its standout seafood, Gatsby’s Prime Seafood offers a top-notch cocktail list that includes three delicious mocktails curated by their in-house mixologist, Jessica Wells. The Bootlegged Mule ($8), the perfect mix of strawberry, lemon and ginger beer; The Four Swallows ($8) grapefruit, salt, topped with hibiscus cubes and soda; and Jennie’s Life Preserver ($9) with passionfruit honey, a mixture of juices and handcrafted grenadine.
GJ Tavern
737 Preston St
Houston, TX 77002
Craving for a non-boozy beverage to take the edge off? Look no further than GJ Tavern! Underbelly Hospitality’s swanky downtown spot features two mocktails that we can’t get enough of. The Noontime ($7) refreshes with cucumber, pistachio orgeat, lime, and tonic, while the Daily Program ($7) soothes with pineapple shrub, cinnamon, lime and grapefruit soda. We think both of these drinks are perfect the way they are, but diners can add CBD for $4, for that extra relaxing experience!
Le Jardinier
500 Main St Suite 122
Houston, TX 77004
713.714.3015
The polished restaurant by The Bastion Collection inside the Museum of Fine Arts Houston has an innovative cocktail program featuring their beautifully presented signature “Zero Proof” cocktails. The Cardi-Brew ($10) is a coffee mocktail made with delicious layers of cold brew, cardamon, cinnamon, and oat milk. It’s presented in a gimlet glass and topped with espresso beans. Those in search of a refresh can ask for the signature zero-proof beverage Le Jardin ($10). It’s a bright, delicious drink with cucumber, fine herbs, mint, lime and soda.
Kin Dee
1533 N Shepherd Dr. Suite 160
Houston, TX 77008
281.826.2655
In addition to its authentic Thai food, Kin Dee’s bountiful cocktail menu features five non-alcoholic libations – perfect for those skipping out on the booze during “Dry January.” Try out the Tom Yum ($14) with Lyre’s NA Gin, lemongrass, Thai chili, kaffir leaves, and lime; the Saneh Jan ($13) with Lyre’s NA Agave Spirit, lime juice, passion fruit puree, and agave garnished with a chili ice sphere; the Butterfly Tea Margarita ($16) with Lyre’s NA Agave Blanco Spirit, Lyre’s NA Orange Sec, lime juice, butterfly tea, and lemongrass syrup; the Melonic ($14) with Lyre’s NA Pink London Spirit, watermelon juice, grapefruit juice, and lime juice garnished with a fresh slice of watermelon; and the Mango Sticky Rice ($13) – a twist on the traditional Mango Sticky Rice dessert made with Lyre’s NA Cane Spirit, mango puree, and coconut milk.
Lulu’s River Oaks
2518 Kirby Dr.
Houston, TX 77019
713.590.7350
Lulu’s in River Oaks brings their A-game with their Zero Proof mocktails selection with a customer favorite being their Amalfi Coast, but they have several to choose from including:
La Passione – $13; A twist on a seltzer featuring Topo Chico paired with a house made passion fruit mix
Guavissimo – $13; Lulu’s zero proof take on a refreshing cocktail, the perfect pairing of Guava Puree mix, Pepe Coco and Pineapple Juice
Amalfi Coast – $13; Their non-alcoholic take on a classic gin and tonic features the zero-proof Seedlip Spice 94 that highlights notes of green cardamon and all spice mixed with tonic.
Marmo
888 Westheimer Rd Suite 109
Houston, TX 77006
832.626.3400
Buzzy Montrose restaurant, Marmo, features four refreshing mocktails on the menu including the Gustatio ($12) made with Lyre’s Italian orange liqueur, lemon, simple syrup, and tonic; the Pulito Espresso Martini ($12) made with Lyre’s Dark Cane spirit, Lyre’s Coffee Originale, French espresso, and vanilla syrup; the Amaretti Sour ($12) made with Lyre’s Amaretti, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white; and the Amor Fati ($12) – a delicious mixture of Lyre’s Amaretto, Honeycrisp apple cider, lemon juice, honey syrup, and ginger beer. All non-alcoholic cocktails are available during lunch and dinner.
Navy Blue
2445 Times Blvd.
Houston, TX 77005
713.347.7727
Navy Blue’s lineup of colorful and creative mocktails are perfect for anyone doing Dry January or looking for a zero-proof libation. The menu features four mocktails including the Dove’s Nest made with grapefruit, lime, Seedlip Garden, vanilla, and chili; Jumbo Ozaki, a play on the classic Arnold Palmer and named after world famed Japanese golfer Masashi Ozaki, made with yuzu, matcha tea, and star anise; Peni-chillin made with Lapsang Souchong, ginger, lemon, and honey, and Only Sans, a layered up pink drink made with passion fruit, vanilla, lime, and hibiscus.
Ouzo Bay
4444 Westheimer Rd Suite G130
Houston, TX 77027
832.430.6610
Get whisked away to the Mediterranean at River Oaks District eatery, Ouzo Bay. The restaurant’s recently re-launched lunch menu features three mocktails ($12 each) including the Philotimo made with Lyre’s agave reserva spirit, Lyre’s coffee originale, Lyre’s Italian orange, agave, and chocolate bitters, Lady of the Lake made with lyre’s London dry spirit, Lyre’s apértif rosso, Lyre’s Italian orange, lemon, strawberry, and rhubarb bitters, and Chronos made with Lyre’s London dry spirit, lemon, orgeat, and passion fruit. All three mocktails are available during lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Roots
3107 Leeland St.
Houston, TX 77003
713.818.2079
Roots, a self-serve wine bar in Houston’s East End, offers an ever-growing selection of wines that bring all the flavor and body of traditional wine – without the alcohol. Taste the magic of Germany’s vineyards through the Eins Zwei Zero Sparkling Riesling, which offers the same fresh taste as their still Riesling, but with bubbles. As a refined alternative, select the Luminara Red Blend or Luminara Chardonnay from Napa Valley, an appellated alcohol-removed wine with sophisticated sippability. Alternatively, evoke the spirit of summer in the Hamptons with the Wölffer Estate Vineyard Petite Rosé. This lighthearted sparkling non-alcoholic Rosé gives a light and playful taste that’s perfect for any occasion. These wines may be enjoyed at Roots, paired with one of their seasonal, New American food offerings, or may be enjoyed to-go for 20% off retail price.
