Mocktails are big, even for drinkers
A funny thing about Jubans bar manager Clark McKay is that he doesn’t drink.
Mind you, the idiosyncrasy doesn’t keep him from being able to mix a stellar cocktail. He uses his nose and background in organic chemistry to curate intoxicants like the best of them.
But these days, it’s given him keen insight into how to serve a growing number of patrons seeking non-alcohol options.
“We’ve definitely seen a dip in alcoholic cocktail drinking and a rise in our mocktails,” McKay says. “I would say there’s been a big increase especially in the last year.”
Jubans offers three permanent alcohol-free drinks, but McKay says he’s planning to add more to meet the needs of both the sober and the sober-curious, who enjoy alternating leaded and unleaded drinks. It’s like the liquid equivalent of flexitarianism, he says. McKay has even seen an uptick in brides and grooms who hold events at Jubans and select a mocktail as their signature drink, even though alcohol is also on the menu.
BR.cade manager Tom Mahon agrees. Some of the bar/game room’s customers might enjoy a drink, then switch gears, he says. The Mid City spot’s alcohol-free cocktails and beers give them something to sip beyond soft drinks and seltzer.
While most bar and restaurant patrons still imbibe, a thoughtfully conceived mocktail menu is now widely expected. It’s a chance for a bar to show off its skills, McKay says.
“I think fresh, balanced flavors are key,” he says. “It’s a really cool time to be on a non-drinking journey.”
Try these zero-proof drinks at local spots
Red Magnolia
The wildly popular drink combines fresh strawberry simple syrup, fresh basil and lemon juice. This bevvy is so buzzy that, in an interesting twist, many drinkers order it with their favorite spirit.
Berry Blitz
Blueberry simple syrup, simple syrup and lemon juice are shaken then poured over ice, finished with soda water, and garnished with a lemon.
Cucumber Lavender Tonic
Sweet and floral elderflower tonic girds this refresher, punctuated by the flavors of crisp fresh cucumber, lavender and lemon juice.
Garden No. 75
The inventive global restaurant levels up with a mocktail menu that deploys high-quality zero-proof spirits that mimic the real deal. This fresh sipper is made with Bare Zero Proof Modern Classic Gin, jasmine and rose syrup, fresh lemon and non-alcoholic sparkling wine.
Frere Monaco
Lemonade and the popular non-alcoholic beer Athletic Upside Dawn Golden Ale are combined, then set off by grenadine and orange bitters.
This article was originally published in the October 2026 issue of 225 Magazine.
