Doing Dry January? Here's where to find a great mocktail in downtown Knoxville
Whether you're passing on the sauce for Dry January or just need a night off drinking, there's plenty of alcohol-free fun to be had in downtown Knoxville, including at its many bars.
“I think that you should still get to experience the feeling of going out and not feel obligated to drink," said Bekah Holz, a bartender at Central Depot.
I've had a chance to explore some of downtown's mocktails while enjoying an alcohol-free winter and wanted to get a bartender's take on making them as interest in the sober-curious movement grows.
Central Depot, located at 103 W. Depot Ave., takes a different approach. Instead of on-menu mocktails, its bartenders make custom alcohol-free drinks based on customers' flavor preferences.
Never one to miss a chance for a fancy drink, I asked Holz to whip up a grapefruit-inspired drink and a minty one.
She created a mock strawberry spritzer, made with strawberries, lemon, simple syrup and grapefruit tonic. Then she poured a mock mojito, made with lime juice, pineapple juice, vanilla simple syrup, mint and ginger beer.
To make sure my cocktail experience was complete, she even added cute garnishes to the drinks, which cost $3-5.
Holz has multiple regulars who come in for alcohol-free drinks. That's becoming more accepted, she said, thanks to great mocktails at places like Maple Hall and Brother Wolf.
I admitted to Holz that I've sometimes felt uncomfortable asking a bartender to make a mocktail if there isn't one on menu.
She said folks looking for a mocktail shouldn't hesitate to ask for one at any bar, especially if you're hanging at a place with a more relaxed, conversational atmosphere.
If you'd feel comfortable ordering an off-menu classic cocktail like a Manhattan, she said, it's OK to order a mocktail. Tell the bartender what kind of flavors you like to inspire them. Sweet? Sour? Acidic? Like a particular ingredient? They're up to the challenge.
“And if the bartender says no, then phooey on that bartender, because they can," said Holz, who has been a bartender for more than seven years. "I know they’ve got juice back there, I know they’ve got simple syrups, I know they’ve got sodas. You can make a mocktail.”
There are great flavors to be had all across Knoxville's bar scene. Here are a few non-alcoholic cocktails to get you started.
Non-alcoholic cocktails to try in Knoxville
"The Die is Cast" from Vida
Made with blood orange juice, coconut, simple syrup and lime, this alcohol-free cocktail is frothy and fabulous. Vida is located at 531 S. Gay St.
"The Pluto" from Tern Club
Made with passion fruit, orgeat, lemon, pineapple and ginger, this alcohol-free cocktail is tart and fruity. Tern Club is located at 135 S. Gay St.
"The Fauxgroni" from Brother Wolf
Made with Seedlip Spice 94, Pellegrino Sanbitter, Versin N/A Vermouth and orange oil, this mocktail aligns with Brother Wolf's specialty Negronis. Brother Wolf is located at 108 W. Jackson Ave.
"Stingless Bee" from Public House
Made with honey, lavender, lemon, earl grey bitters and topped with soda water. Public House is located at 212 W. Magnolia Ave.
"The Approach" from Maple Hall
Made with pomegranate juice, mint simple syrup, sparkling water and pressed lemon. Maple Hall is located at 414 S. Gay St.
"Autumn Tea Sangria" from Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
Made with tea, pomegranate and orange juices, cinnamon elixir, fresh fruit and club soda. Firebirds is located at 7641 Kingston Pike.
Business Growth and Development Editor Brenna McDermott can be reached at [email protected]. Follow along with her work on Twitter @_BrennaMcD. Support our local news efforts by becoming a Knox News subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Non-alcoholic drinks to try in downtown Knoxville for Dry January
