10 January 11-17, 2024 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times | music | cafe | culture | Night+Day | News | letters | coNteNts | Month XX–Month XX, 2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | ART | STAGE | NIGHT+DAY | METRO | RIPTIDE | LETTERS | CONTENTS | No Buzz Toast Dry January with mocktails at these fine establishments. BY NICOLE LOPEZ-ALVAR D ecember was for overindulging, which for some looked like drinking copious amounts of Champagne, coquito, spiked eggnog — you name it. Now that it’s 2024, it’s time to get back on track, which for many looks like abstaining from alcohol for the first month of the year. This trend has been called “Dry January” for those abstaining from alcohol for the first month of the year. Being sober-curious is a trend that’s grown greatly over the past few years, and 2024 is no exception. According to a blog post by the American Association for Cancer Research, Dry Janu- ary participation peaked in 2022, when droves of people decided to cut back on drinking alcohol following the growing trend of alcohol con- sumption during COVID-19. How- ever, in January 2023, only 15 per- cent of U.S. adults said they would observe Dry Janu- ary, down from 19 percent in 2022. Thankfully for us, the difference between the years spanning the COVID-19 pandemic and the present day is that there are now a plethora of bars and restaurants in Miami that serve mocktails — alcohol-free cocktails that are so good you almost forget there’s no booze in them. Without further ado, here is an alphabetical guide to where to find the best mocktails across the Magic City to help you navigate the first month of 2024 — the zero- proof yet absolutely delicious way. Because you can skip the booze while still maintaining an active social life. Balan’s 901 S. Miami Ave., Ste. 108, Miami 305-809-8587 balansbrickell.com Balan’s has you covered with delicious mock- tails for Dry January. Located in Mary Brick- ell Village, Balan’s is offering three nonalcoholic cocktails for $11.95 each. Try the dragon fruit lemonade or the “Espresso NOtini,” prepared with fresh espresso and Tahitian vanilla, or the “Mango Spritzoda,” prepared with fresh mango and soda water. Balan’s also offers signature nonalcoholic juice blends, such as the”Pineapple Express” — a mix of pineapple, apple, and mint. Batch Gastropub 30 SW 12th St., Miami 305-808-5555 batchgastropub.com Batch Gastropub in Brickell is starting Dry January strong with two delicious mocktails. For $5, try the “Rosemary Guava Cooler,” which blends fresh rosemary, guava, and fresh lemon juice. Or, try the “Blackstrap Mo- lasses” ginger beer, also priced at $5, with spicy ginger root and rich blackstrap molas- ses. These cocktails are so good that Batch promises you won’t even remember there’s no alcohol in them. Casa Sensei 1200 E. Las Olas Blvd., #101, Fort Lauderdale 954-530-4176 casasensei.com Blending South Florida tropics with an Asian- inspired vibe, the fusion restaurant is offering two deliciously fruity mocktails for $12 each to indulge in without the guilt. Try the “Tropi- cal Fusion,” a blend of orange and pineapple juice, almond syrup, lime juice, and grena- dine, or the Instagram-worthy “Casa Sunrise,” made with fresh watermelon juice and an or- ange wedge topped with orange juice. Chotto Matte 1666 Lenox Ave., #1664, Miami Beach 305-690-0743 chottomatte.com Enjoy Chotto Matte’s delicious nonalcoholic sips for $12 each — so good, you won’t even know the difference. The zesty “Wabi-No-Sabe” mixes flavors from the nonalcoholic spirit Seedlip Garden, aji Inca, acacia honey, kumquat, grapefruit, and lemonade. Next, try the tropical “Flor de la Pasión,” made with passionfruit, mango, elderflower, and mint. For a fruity vibe, try the “Chicha Enamorada” with Seedlip Spice, peach, chicha orgeat, and lemon topped off with ginger ale. Copper 29 Bar 206 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables 786-830-9640 copper29bar.com Copper 29 Bar in Coral Gables has recently added mocktails to the menu. Sip away guilt-free with the lychee martini mocktail, made with lychee puree, pineapple, cran- berry juice, and lychee for garnish, or try the “Exotic Mojito” mocktail, a concoction of passion fruit puree, pineapple juice, lime, mint, sprite, and a hint of simple syrup. If you’re yearning for a more subtle yet de- lightful option, the lavender lemonade is made with lavender syrup, lime juice, and soda water, offering a perfectly balanced mocktail to cleanse and rejuvenate. Prices range from $8 to $10. Negroni Bistro & Bar 3201 Buena Vista Blvd., Miami 786-510-0075 negronius.com/midtown Negroni Bistro & Sushi Bar, also known as Negroni Midtown, is serving three delicious mocktails for $9 each. Negroni pulls inspira- tion from both Latin and Nikkei cuisine. Its mocktails include the “Positano,” made with pineapple, passionfruit, aquafaba soda bitter, and orange juice; the “NA-Groni,” a nonalco- holic version of the restaurant’s classic name- sake negroni; and “Free Sp(i)ritz,” a zero-proof twist on the refreshing Italian aperitif. Orno 1350 S. Dixie Hwy., Coral Gables 305-667-6766 ornomiami.com Visit Orno at the THesis Hotel and relax with a $10 mocktail. Choose from the “Cu- cumber Cooler,” made with cucumber juice, jalapeño syrup, lemon, and sea salt, or the aromatic yet refreshing “Rosemary & Com- pany,” combining fresh grapefruit, rosemary, honey, and lemon. Puttshack 701 S. Miami Ave., Miami 786-233-7888 puttshack.com Located in Brickell City Centre, Puttshack offers the ultimate list of must-try mocktails this year. For those who are looking for a handful of zero-proof drinks to sip on, try the “Hibiscus Mock Mule,” made with hibiscus syrup, fresh lime, and Fever-Tree ginger beer, or the “Cotton Candy Crush,” prepared with cotton candy syrup, cold-pressed lime juice, and Red Bull coconut. Other delicious mock- tails include the passionfruit lemonade and “Peach Free” bellini, made with Seedlip Spice 94, a nonalcoholic spirit, peach purée, and sparkling apple juice. All mocktails are $9 each. Uchi 252 NW 25th St., Miami 305-995-0915 uchirestaurants.com If you’re looking to take a break from alcohol but don’t want to sacrifice on taste, check out the mocktail menu at Uchi in Wynwood. This upscale Japanese restaurant is known for its innovative and elevated sushi, and its mocktails are the perfect pairing. Mocktail options include the “Yebiso,” made with the nonalcoholic tequila Jalisco 55, passionfruit, ginger, and soda for $13; the “Inari,” made with Seedlip Grove, lychee, lemon, and yuzu for $8; and the Run Wild IPA, a nonalcoholic IPA for $8 that will have you wondering if it’s the real deal. [email protected] ▼ Café Chotto Matte photo The tropical mocktails at Chotto Matte taste like the real deal. CHOTTO MATTE’S NONALCOHOLIC SIPS ARE SO GOOD, YOU WON’T EVEN KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.
