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From zero-proof spritzes to boozeless savoury elixirs, the low- and no-alcohol libations from the world’s top bars prove alcohol isn’t necessary in a great cocktail.
1. The Savory Project, Hong Kong
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The Strawberry Salsa cocktail is finished with a dehydrated dic of fruit leather made with strawberry and tomato
From the team behind Coa, three-time title holder of The Best Bar in Asia, The Savory Project opened in 2023 as a purveyor of playful cocktail wizardry. Drinks draw attention to the power of umami by taking inspiration from savoury dishes ranging from Thai beef salad to biryani. Alcoholic cocktails sit under the 'Hedonism' section of the menu, whereas its zero-proof concoctions are found in 'Temperance', with four options to choose from. Try the Strawberry Salsa to be surprised: the unique blend of strawberry juiced in-house, kombu sous-vide, pink peppercorn and a touch of vinegar achieves a savoury and refreshing potion. Adding to the intrigue is its two-storey layout with a technical R&D lab upstairs and a warmly lit ground level bar reminiscent of co-founder Ajit's childhood home.
2. Angelita, Madrid
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Mocktails are bottled to preserve the fresh components sourced from the Villalón family garden
Angelita has become a go-to in Madrid’s thrumming drinks scene. The space spans two floors, with a laid-back wine bar at street level and a cocktail bar tucked away in the basement. Cocktails downstairs are made with home-grown ingredients, many sourced from brothers and co-owners David and Mario Villalón’s family allotment in nearby Zamora. From de-alcoholised wines to fruit-based innovations, the low-alcohol aperitivos have always been a hit here, but in 2024, the bar launched its own range of pre-bottled zero per cent ABV creations, available to drink at the bar and to buy for home. One to note is the Green Tomato and Piparra: a Zamoran ginger beer that balances the herbal acidity of green tomatoes and the heat of the green piparra (peppers).
3. Wild Child, Shawnee
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N/A Negroni is made with gin, Campari and sweet vermouth that have been stripped of alcohol
Tucked in an unassuming spot in downtown Shawnee, Wild Child surprises with alcohol-free cocktails made using vacuum and atmospheric distillation. Just a couple of doors down from its moodier and rustic sister bar Drastic Measures, it’s the proverbial bohemian science-obsessed sibling with lively interiors, from red leather booths to floral wallpaper flanked with trailing plants and a lab-grade Girovap on the bar counter. The device is key to removing alcohol from spirits and liqueurs while preserving the depth of classics such as the negroni, a bar favourite. If you’re battling a January cold, dose up with the Best Medicine: a smoked tea infused with non-alcoholic ginger liquor topped with maple foam.
4. The Bulgari Bar, Dubai
The chrome bar comes with a view of the promenade overlooking the Arabian Gulf
Head to The Bulgari Bar in Dubai for pure calm with a side of marina views. Watch the sun set over the Arabian Gulf or ask for a spot by the bar if the choreography of bartenders shaking and stirring is more your speed. Fans of Italian classics will adore their alcohol-free bellinis and rossinis, while more adventurous tastes should note the Cashmere: a blend of coconut, apple, raspberry and a touch of North Indian curry, or the Cape Town Cooler – a warming blend of ginger, mango and rooibos. Line stomachs with crispy calamari and veal ham toast from the lavish bar bite menu.
5. MO Bar Shenzhen
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After unwinding among lush furnishings indoors, duck out to the MO's balcony downstairs for an invigorating view of Shenzhen
Located on the 79th floor of the Mandarin Oriental, MO Bar stands out for its panoramic urban views, as well as its alcohol-free cocktails, which are inspired by Chinese botany. Each of the menu's mocktails represents a solar term from the ancient Chinese agricultural calendar. Unique flavour profiles are achieved with ingredients such as smoked plum and hawthorn, found in the Crimson mocktail designed to capture the vibrancy of spring. Inside the industrial-themed space, deeply cushioned leather stools contrast with glossy marble bar tops, while wraparound windows gaze out onto the glinting Shenzhen skyline. Come by on a Friday or a Saturday evening to get the best view of the Futian light show, during which 1.18 million LED lights play mesmerising patterns across the Shenzhen cityscape.
6. Thunderbolt, Los Angeles
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The Pride of Oxnard can also be taken to-go as a canned cocktail
On the corner where LA’s Filipinotown, Echo Park and Downtown meet, Thunderbolt evokes the stereotypical, laid-back Californian spirit. Its dark green walls and light wood furnishings come with a relaxed food and drink menu that have made it a regular on The North America’s 50 Best Bars list. But don’t be fooled by the relaxed vibe, Thunderbolt takes its drinks programme very seriously. Lab equipment such as distillation devices maximise the punch of components. A centrifuge is used to clarify strawberry juice for the fizzy Pride of Oxnard mocktail, which combines a smooth strawberry cordial with the jasmine and juniper. Pair it up with a plate of pimiento cheese poppers for an indulgent yet booze-balanced experience.
7. Three Sheets, London
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Four no-alcohol versions of bar classics are available, from left to right: negroni, whisky sour, americano and espresso martini (Image: Rebecca Dickinson)
Three Sheets’s Dalston outpost does not forget its low- and no patrons. The menu is cleverly divided into equal-sized “sheets”: One Sheet for lighter, lower-ABV drinks, Two Sheets for mid-strength and Three Sheets for quite boozy. Perfect for solo diners and couples, there’s exposed brick and leather stools. Beautifully executed alcohol-free classics range from the whisky sour and negroni to the espresso martini, made with elixirs from the Belgian Opius Distillery. Not sure where to start? Start with one of their signature creations: the low-alc Rum & Plum: a masterfully simple refresher that uses Japanese ume plum liqueur.
8. Hero Bar, Nairobi
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Located on the 9th Floor Trademark Hotel, Hero Bar also has a sweeping outdoor patio with a view of the leafy Gigiri neighbourhood
Stepping into Hero Bar, the star of Kenya’s growing cocktail scene, feels like walking into a comic book, with bright colours, bold murals and a team with a larger-than-life attitude. Its drinks menu doubles down on this energy, with cocktails inspired by heroes and sidekicks. Check out the ‘Law Enforcement’ section to sample from an array of 10 zero-ABV drinks. The Sergeant Pepperfield brings together homemade strawberry purée, ginger, black pepper, maple syrup and flamed rosemary for an aromatic, fiery and fruity concoction. For a fizzy surprise try Hero Bar’s house-made kombucha, which comes in an ever-changing roster of seasonal flavours.
9. Atlas, Singapore
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The Miss Rouge is served over cracked ice in a champagne flute (Image: Glenn Chew)
Everyone should experience the Art Deco grandeur of Atlas in Singapore, regardless of whether they’re boozing or not. If it’s the former, the bar’s cocktail menu – which is full of drinks-related trivia about carbonation, infusions and more. The menu also notes the ABV percentage of every cocktail, allowing drinkers to make choices aligned with their needs. For those abstaining, there are cocktails such as the dry and savoury Miss Rouge: a mix of alcohol-free spiced spirit, basil tea, verjus, salt and a nasturtium leaf garnish.
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