Non-Alcoholic Cocktails: Austin’s Best Bars for Booze-Free Drinks

Here’s the thing about non-alcoholic drinks on bar and restaurant menus: they’re usually pretty terrible, because they’re an afterthought. Admittedly, most people don’t go to bars to not drink alcohol, but if the sober-curious movement has taught the industry anything, it’s that there’s a niche that needed filling.

A growing number of consumers are choosing to eschew alcohol – permanently, or just for a night – and they deserve beverages made with the same thought and care dedicated to craft cocktails and free of high-fructose corn syrup and other nastiness. Running a bar is a business, so while it behooves owners to turn a profit from teetotalers, it’s also in keeping with the hospitality industry to make menus more inclusive.

Elevating the art of non-alcoholic mixology

Crafting exceptional drinks, whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic, demands a discerning palate, creativity, and a deep understanding of flavor profiles. The following bar programs have elevated their non-alcoholic offerings, showcasing well-balanced, often seasonal, alcohol-free libations that stand out on their own, appealing to all guests, not just designated drivers.

Sans Bar: Austin’s first brick-and-mortar “sober bar” is redefining what founder and addiction specialist Chris Marshall (who is in long-term recovery himself) calls, “sober socialization.” It’s open to anyone, if you’re sober when you visit. In addition to a cozy, chilled out vibe (stamped tin ceiling, sofas, candlelight, patio, indoor and outdoor stages), the drinks are seriously good. Try the Garden Dandy, made with Ritual Zero Proof gin – as the name implies, an alcohol-free sip distilled with juniper, angelica, pine and other botanicals – muddled cucumbers, DRY Sparkling Cucumber soda and a green pea garnish. The Winter Rose is more in the tonic space, made with lemon, ginger echinacea and elderflower, garnished with rose petals, while the Ginger Beer Mule gets a resinous boost from the addition of simple syrup.

Austin’s top spots for creative non-alcoholic cocktails

Mattie’s at Green Pastures: Located in a historic South Austin estate, Mattie’s offers a serene setting where the Valley Daisy (Rio Star grapefruit, Texas rosemary, bergamot, lemon) serves as a bright and refreshing complement to rich brunch dishes. For a revitalizing option, the Saratoga Buck (ginger, apple-cranberry jam, Chinese five-spice, lime, mint) serves as a zingy pick-me-up.

Garage: Tucked away in a former parking garage in downtown Austin, this mid-century-styled bar features rotating non-alcoholic offerings, such as the Third Verse (carrot, Thai chile, spicy ginger, lime, soda), which provides a unique and flavorful experience.

Olamaie: Situated in a charming historic house near the University of Texas campus, Olamaie offers seasonal “virgin cocktails” curated by acclaimed bar manager Erin Ashford, like the Grapefruit Soda (grapefruit, lemon, Tabasco, Topo Chico) and Orange Crush (passion fruit, orange, honey, lime, ginger beer).

The Eleanor: Located in the Warehouse District, The Eleanor is known for its extensive cocktail menu, including the “Pass The Buck,” which features Almave non-alcoholic blanco tequila, Giffard bitter aperitif syrup, strawberry-thai basil syrup, ginger, lemon, and barrel-smoked black pepper. The Espress-No Martini blends Lyre’s Coffee Originale, fresh espresso, milk whey, brown sugar, vanilla, and mole & black walnut bitters. Non-alcoholic versions of the Old Fashioned and Negroni are also standout options.

Not everyone wants a drink that offers the complexity of a cocktail; if you’re simply looking healthier alternatives to soda or sweet tea, Sway offers house-brewed kombucha infused with lemongrass, kaffir lime and young coconut water as well as housemade drinking vinegars.

At Hillside Farmacy, order a gussied-up housemade fountain soda, like the Pickpocket (strawberry, basil, balsamic) and Turmeric (lemon, ginger, black pepper).