If you’d like to take a break from drinking, but not from your social life, Sonoma County’s bar and restaurant scene has plenty of alcohol-free options. And we’re not just talking tonic water.
The growing popularity of zero proof spirits have been a game-changer for mixologists, giving mocktails all the flavor and complexity of their signature cocktails, minus the alcohol. The rise in sober and sober-curious drinkers has driven demand for creative, food-friendly sippers made with vinegar shrubs, herbs, fruit juices, bitters and syrups.
We’ve lined up some favorite Sonoma County bars that serve up fabulous mocktails and nonalcoholic beverages for Dry January observers and anyone else eager for a break from booze.
Fern Bar, Sebastopol
At Fern Bar, “free spirited” beverages are given spotlight treatment on the cocktail list rather than being pushed down to the bottom of the menu. And there’s no shortage of creativity — the mocktails include top-shelf spirit alternatives with housemade shrubs and syrups made with seasonal fruits and spices.
Mocktail Faves: Try the ruby-toned Euphoria, made with nonalcoholic gin, hibiscus, jasmine, goji berry, schisandra berry and prickly pear. Or go for the Thai & Dry with coconut water Thai tea, falernum, orange, pineapple, vanilla and coconut foam. 6780 Depot St., Suite 120, Sebastopol, 707-861-9603, fernbar.com
Stark’s Steak & Seafood, Santa Rosa
Stark’s is the go-to place for classic cocktails and giant steak, and a happy-hour hot-spot, but your visit doesn’t have to be booze-infused.
Mocktail Faves: The West County Crips leans into the region’s apple fame with apple cider, lemon, allspice syrup and Fever-Tree ginger beer. The warm, tropical Piña Coolada has caramelized pineapple, coconut, lime and orange with a brown simple syrup. Want something more old-school? Ask the bartender for a nonalcoholic version of your favorite cocktail or go for a bitter and soda — the bar offers housemade bitters. 521 Adams St., Santa Rosa, 707-546-5100, starkssteakhouse.com
Perch + Plow, Santa Rosa
Perch + Plow serves up “boozy magic” cocktails, but the restaurant’s cocktail program also includes several standard mocktails and nonalcoholic creations made on request.
Mocktail Faves: The Strawberry Mint Smash is a refreshing blend of strawberry puree, mint syrup, lime juice and club soda. The Spicy Peach Pit — with peach puree, lime juice, habanero syrup and pepper garnish — offers a sweet-spicy kick. Try their mocktail flight for a sampling of several drinks. 90 Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa, 707-843-3582, perchandplow.com
Bravas Bar de Tapas, Healdsburg
Bravas is a Healdsburg favorite for tapas and paella on the back patio. Their Spanish-influenced food is great with flavor-packed, seasonal mocktails.
Mocktail Faves: The Warm Apple Cider — cider infused with cinnamon, clove and orange — is perfect for the cold weather, while the Pomegranate Fizz makes use of seasonal winter fruits, combined with soda for those classic bubbles. 420 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-433-7700, starkrestaurants.com
Lo & Behold, Healdsburg
Owners Laura Heffernon and Laura Sanfilippo are known for their cocktail-making magic — and that extends to alcohol-free drinks as well.
Mocktail Faves: For a tropical treat, try the Caribbean Queen, made with coconut, lime, orange and passion fruit. The Guava-Cucumber Cooler is super refreshing, while the Hibiscus Ting — with spiced hibiscus tea, lime and house ginger brew — is what La Croix dreams it could be. 214 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-756-5021, loandbeholdca.com
Lazeaway Club at The Flamingo, Santa Rosa
The lounge vibes are strong at this beachy-themed restaurant inside the Flamingo Resort. Naturally, they’ve got some tasty booze-free cocktails that make you feel like you’re on vacation.
Mocktail Faves: The No Pier Pressure is an exciting trip to Thailand with a concoction of Thai tea, honey, lime and a piña colada float. The Donald Palmer with rooibos tea, guava, lime, agave and Thai basil is a fruity refresher. It feels like a leveled-up Arnold Palmer, without the dull association to golf. 2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-545-8530, lazeawayclub.com
Jackson’s Bar and Oven, Santa Rosa
Having one of the most popular happy hours in Santa Rosa, Jackson’s knows what they’re doing behind the bar. The music-inspired craft cocktails are great, but the innovative mocktails shouldn’t be overlooked.
Mocktail Faves: Sweet-spicy lovers will enjoy the Crash Test Dummies, made with mango, raspberry, tamarind, lime and sparkling water with a Tajin-coated rim. The Spin Doctors — with watermelon, lime, pickled prickly pear and Topo Chico grapefruit sparkling water — is another fruity stunner. 135 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-545-6900, jacksonsbarandoven.com
Starling Bar, Sonoma
Classic California roadhouse meets Sonoma County sensibilities at Starling, where community and strong drinks go hand in hand. The nonalcoholic options are just as thoughtfully crafted, made with mostly locally sourced ingredients.
Mocktail Faves: The Letizia’s Orchard Shrub feels almost like a health tonic, but don’t let that scare you away. The soothing drink is made with an orchard-fruit compote, raw cider vinegar, organic cranberry, herbs and soda. If shrubs aren’t your thing, go for the vibrant Orange Pineapple Fizz, made with orange and pineapple juices, an orange reduction, cream, soda, nutmeg and aquafaba. It’s basically a Creamsicle in a glass. 19380 Highway 12, Sonoma. 707-938-7442, starlingsonoma.com
Heather Irwin, Maci Martell and Sarah Steirch contributed to this article.
