Going dry for January? You’re in luck. Mocktail and nonalcoholic drink options on menus across the Tampa Bay area have grown vastly.
Many local restaurants and bars, from casual joints to more upscale spots, serve up “zero-proof” and “spirit-free” cocktails. Some of them are made with nonalcoholic spirits such as Seedlip and Lyre’s. Others incorporate ingredients like inventive shrubs and tonics.
As you settle into the new year, here’s a fresh list of 25 places to grab a good mocktail in Tampa Bay this month and beyond. Offerings are subject to change.
Agave Social: The Carrollwood Mexican restaurant specializes in bold tacos and cocktails, but there are also mocktails to explore. We recommend the tangy Mango Basil Smash (mango puree, basil, lime juice, soda water) and the well-balanced Hibiscus Citrus Cooler (grapefruit juice, hibiscus syrup, grapefruit soda, mint). 14803 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. 813-284-0705. eatagavesocial.com
Alter Ego: Zero-proof spins on classics like the Hugo Spritz and Old Fashioned mingle with boozylibations and nightly DJ sets in an intimate, sultry setting. Next door, Alter Ego’s sister restaurant, Ash, has its own selection of nonalcoholic cocktails. 420 S. Nebraska Ave., Suite 103, Tampa. 813-221-9193. alteregotampa.com
Bar Tiki: On thethird floor of the Marina Market & Food Hall, this laid-back rooftop hangout offers waterfront views and a “spiritless menu” featuring tiki favorites sans alcohol, including the Venus (Lyre’s Dark Rum Alternative, passion fruit puree, lemon juice, orgeat, falernum). 25 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater Beach. 727-443-1750. bartiki.com
Cassis: EnjoyAmerican and French bites while drinking mocktails like the Harvest Mojito, a refreshing mix of Owen’s Cucumber Mint, lime, muddled blueberries and mint. 170 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg. 727-827-2927. cassisstpete.com
Copa: Don’t miss the Afro-Latin Caribbean fusion spot’s lineup of booze-freebevvies. Among them: The Hangover (coconut water, lemon, pineapple, ginger beer) and Hibiscus Sour (hibiscus syrup, rose extract, strawberries, lemon, soda water). 1047 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-623-9199. copadtsp.com
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Corner Club: This all-day neighborhood cafe slings a handful of mocktails fit for sipping on its lovely outdoor patio. Try the Orange You Glad It’s N/A (Lyre’s Italian Orange, chamomile and ginger syrup, elderflower tonic, soda) or Jalapeno Business (strawberry jalapeno shrub, lemon, basil, spiced orange, ginger ale, soda). 1502 E. Sligh Ave., Tampa. 813-232-1482. cornerclubtampa.com
Hotel Bar: Here’s a neat option for adventurous drinkers. Tell the cocktail wizards at Hotel Bar your flavor preferences and they’ll whip up something just for you using Seedlip. 200 N. Tampa St., Tampa. 813-999-4080. hotelbartampa.com
Il Ritorno: Want a zero-proof spritz that’s just as refreshing as its boozy counterpart? The modern Italian restaurant’s takefeatures grapefruit, sparkling white tea, Ghia N/A and orange bitters. 449 Central Ave., No. 101, St. Petersburg. 727-897-5900. ilritornodowntown.com
Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails: This EDGE District hot spot does mocktails, too. Vacation Clubhas jasmine tea, lemongrass, fresh lemon and soda, and the Coconut Curry Gimlet mixes coconut water with makrut lime, fresh lime and curry tincture. 1111 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-258-7786. intermezzo.co
M.Bird: Catch sunset views of downtown Tampa and the Hillsborough River with a tropical refresher in hand at this rooftop lounge above Armature Works. Josie’s Vacation (lime, cucumber, passion fruit, mint, seltzer) drives the mocktail lineup. Steelbach, M.Bird’s sister restaurant downstairs, crafts boozeless cocktails, too. 1903 Market St., Tampa. 813-296-2702. mbirdtampa.com
Mad Dogs & Englishmen: All Things Nice, featuring elderflower tonic, lemon and blackberry, or Sugar & Spice, a sweet-heat combination of pineapple, lime and jalapeno with a chili lime rim, are ready to be paired with the South Tampa stalwart’s elevated pub fare. 4914 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa. 813-832-3037. maddogs.com
Dunedin MockFusion: The mocktail bar sells a host of alcohol-free drinks, from twists on the Bee’s Knees and Mint Julep to sippers such as the MF Empress made with your choice of lavender or blackberry, butterfly pea flower, lemon and nonalcoholic tequila. 1299 Bayshore Blvd., Dunedin. 727-221-9967. dunedinmf.com
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Noble Tavern: A couple of mocktails are on the menu, including the tempting Petal Potion that showcases hibiscus tea, strawberry, lemon and rose soda. 1650 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-625-1736. nobletavern.com
On Swann: Do some shopping at Hyde Park Village, then stop in for the Sober Mule (CleanCo Clean G, strawberry watermelon agave, Giffard Orgeat, lemon, Q Mixers Ginger Beer) or Not Another Spicy Margarita (habanero- and jalapeno-infused Seedlip Notas de Agave, agave and lime). 1501 W. Swann Ave., Tampa. 813-251-0110. onswann.com
Red Mesa: Vibrant mocktails await at this long-running Mexican restaurant. Choose from offeringslike Indigo Island combining hibiscus tea with pineapple, coconut and lime or the sparkling Dragon Fruit Lemonade. 4912 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg. 727-527-8728. redmesarestaurant.com
Rome + Fig: The globally inspired bistro pours a trio of mocktails alongside the hard stuff. Brambly + Bubbly (blackberry, mint, lemon, club soda), anyone? 317 N. Rome Ave., Tampa. 813-253-3353. romeandfigbistro.com
Rusty Bellies: There’s no shortage of cocktails at this easygoing restaurant on the Anclote River. But don’t sleep on the booze-free selections (half-off refills!). If you’re not feeling a Pineapple Mock-arita, get the Blue Lagoon, a playful elixir that calls for lemonade, Blue Raspberry Sprite and gummy fish. 937 Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs. 727-934-4047. rustybellies.com
Sal Y Mar: A Latin-inspired rooftop bar and restaurant with mocktail options that include Strawberry Fields — crafted with Seedlip Grove 42, strawberry and yuzu — and riffs on cocktail favorites, such as the Softcore Pornstar Martini featuring Seedlip Notas de Agave, passion fruit and vanilla. 3650 Midtown Drive, Tampa. 813-692-3330. salymarrooftop.com
The Ship’s Hold: When it comes to mocktails, this cozy rum bar doesn’t mess around. Acidulated apple butter, lemon and sparkling apple cider join Seedlip Spice 94 in Apple-A-Day. Another creation, Show Pony, mixes the spiritwith blueberry and horseradish shrub, lemon and orange flower water. 37 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg. theshipshold.com
Slim Charmer: Go for the dark, moody vibes. Stay for the eclectic small plates and Faux Tini made with Lyre’s Gin Alternative, nonalcoholic vermouth or house olive brine. 2706 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. slimcharmer.com
Small Giant: The bar and restaurant does Columbus, Ohio-style pizza and mocktails with fun names like Palomaish (grapefruit, agave, lime, rosemary) and Short King (pineapple, jalapeno, agave, tajin rim). 1051 Water St., Tampa. 813-921-0571. smallgiantbar.com
Tiki Docks: Sit outside at the tropical-themed restaurant and down mocktail versions of its Painkiller or Mango Margarita as you groove to live music. 10704 Palmetto St., Riverview; 813-683-8454. 3769 50th Ave. S., St. Petersburg; 727-810-8454. tikidocks.com
Tori Bar: Across from the University of Tampa, this Japanese gastropub is a popular spot. Cherry blossom tea, strawberry syrup, Calpico and yuzu come together in Sakura Clouds, while Butterfly Effect has butterfly pea tea, elderflower syrup and lemonade. 442 W. Grand Central Ave., No. 190, Tampa. 813-252-3839. toribartampa.com
Union New American: A swanky place to sip zero-proof libations such as Mora (Fever-Tree Sicilian Lemonade, blackberry, lavender, honey) and Santorini (Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic, green tea, grapefruit, ginger, basil). 1111 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa. 813-768-9989. uniontampa.com
Zukku-San: The sushi bar and grill offers four delightful-sounding mocktails. Order the Lychee Dragonfruit Spritzer with lychee and dragon fruit syrups, club soda and lime — a boozeless spin on Zukku-San’s popular Lychee Dragon cocktail. 25916 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz. 813-419-1351. zukkusushi.com/zukku-san
Full disclosure: My partner has done some freelance work for Proper House Group, which owns Alter Ego and Ash, and Majestic Restaurant Group, which owns Zukku-San.