Well-crafted mocktails get popular
Many libations that have enjoyed the limelight lately: craft beers, natural wines, and locally made gins among them. However, there’s one category on restaurant drink menus that used to get little love but is fast gaining popularity among health-conscious Vancouverites and folks who won’t (or just don’t want to) drink alcohol: mocktails.
Several local restaurants have a full mocktail menu with expertly crafted selections that go far beyond the usual orange juice and soda. Here’s a nonexhaustive list of where you can find fine zero-proof beverages around town.
BOTANIST
(1038 Canada Place)
This dining establishment has won all kinds of awards for its bar program and its bartenders, so it’s a nobrainer that its mocktail list would be just as winning. Check out spirit-free libations like the Heartwood (cedar, smoked alder, and birch saps), the Not Yet (carrot, golden beet, ginger, and lemon), and the Nonhattan (Seedlip distilled nonalcoholic spirit, chai, North African spice, and black walnut).
BLOSSOM DIM SUM AND GRILL
(808 Bute Street)
To go with your siu mai, har gao, grilled meat, and sushi at this East meets West eatery, try the Chrysanthemum Honey Cooler (chrysanthemum tea, honey, and water) or the Jasmine Lemonade (jasmine tea, lemon, and ginger).
HY’S STEAKHOUSE AND COCKTAIL BAR
(637 Hornby Street)
This classic restaurant has created several nonalcoholic refreshments for a menu named Prohibition. Try the Adelaide Sour (Seedlip Garden 108, aquafaba, and fresh lemon juice), the Richmond Fizz (pomegranate and pineapple juices, falernum, and ginger beer), and the Fentimans Botanically Brewed soft drinks (tonic water, rose lemonade, cherry cola, and ginger ale).
CACTUS CLUB CAFE
(Various locations)
When a Bellini just won’t do, try a Hey Hibiscus, with the namesake ingredient, rose, ginger, white peach, lemon, and soda. Or opt for a Soul Revival, which is a mix of ginger beer, lime, mango, turmeric, jalapeño, and Thai basil.
THE SANDBAR SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
(102–1535 Johnston Street, Granville Island)
Located on Granville Island, this popular spot has a sizable mocktail list that will satisfy all types of taste buds. Go for the New Fashioned (brewed iced tea, lemon juice, cinnamon, simple syrup) if you’re feeling trendy; stay refreshed with the Seawall Sunset (pineapple juice, orange juice, soda water, and grenadine); or keep it simple with its Spritzer (mint, cucumber, simple syrup, lemon juice, lime juice, and soda water).
LOBBY LOUNGE AND RAWBAR
(1038 Canada Place Way)
Grab a seat by the white Fazioli piano with walnut inlay, order some freshly made Ocean Wise sushi, and try a nonalcoholic sipper for a swish and delicious evening. Yuzu juice, pear green tea, basil, kombucha, and soda make up the Tang Dynasty; for something sunny, try the Cast Away: pineapple, coconut water, mint, and ginger honey.
FABLE DINER
(151 East Broadway)
Pair your fare with one of Fable Diner’s nonalcoholic delights (assuming you’re not sipping on a milkshake, that is). Creative numbers like the Fabled Virgin (Bremner’s blueberry juice, Giffard pomegranate syrup, Cyoni fresh grapefruit juice, Bitter Envy, and soda) and Don’t Call Me Shirley (Chaser’s fresh orange, lemon, and pineapple juices, Giffard grenadine syrup, Angostura bitters, and ginger ale) are just two of the options.