Have you tried a mocktail yet? Here are the 5 best Athens area places to get one.
What is a mocktail? If you're in the right place to get a good one, you won't need to explain it to your server or bartender.
As the word suggests, a mocktail is a cocktail drink made using alcohol-free spirits or other ingredients that taste similar, or, in some cases, exactly like their traditional counterparts.
As with alcohol-free beers, there are many reasons why mocktails are growing in popularity, from health concerns and prescription drug-related safety to social events at lunchtime and on weeknights. But the main reason mocktails are a must-try are the creative flavor combinations available at several Athens area establishments.
Here's a list of five local bars and restaurants that have great-tasting mocktails on their drink menus:
More: Non-alcoholic beers are growing in popularity. Meet the Georgia brewer who makes her own
el Barrio Tacos & Tequila (1331 S. Milledge Ave.)
Every variety of on-the-rocks margarita at el Barrio can be made into a mocktail, but that doesn't mean they just leave out the flavor. el Barrio uses Ritual, a zero-proof tequila that carries the distinctive smell and taste of tequila, with none of the alcohol content. Flavors run from mango and strawberry to cucumber jalapeno and more.
Chops & Hops (2 S. Main St #112, Watkinsville)
Located about 9 miles from downtown Athens, Chops & Hops offers three mocktails: Mauve, which is made with blueberry real syrup, lime juice, soda water, and mint that gives it an uncanny zip; Kross, which features Amethyst Lemon-Cucumber Serrano spirit; and, our favorite, Wren, a spicy and flowery delight made with Seedlip Garden 108.
Ciné (234 W. Hancock Ave.)
Regular patrons at Ciné know that their friendly neighborhood independent arthouse cinema always offers themed drinks that tie into the movies that they're showing. One of the most enduringly popular is the Bitter Elder, a sweet cherry sparkler invented by resident mixologist Dottie Alexander, who has a mocktail named after her at Normal Bar.
Hi-Lo Lounge (1354 Prince Ave.)
The bar at Hi-Lo offers four mocktail options, some of which are alcohol-free spins on classic cocktail recipes. There's Cranberry Sauced, made with ISH brand Tequila. N.avy + A.rmy, made with ISH London Botanical gin. Not Toddy features a house-made rum substitute. Dottie is tropically sweet with a spicy ginger and citrus kick.
Normal Bar (1635 Prince Ave.)
Like Ciné, Normal Bar has a featured mocktail that changes whenever the staff decide to change things up. Their current special is the Seedlip Mule Mocktail, which uses Seedlip Spice 94 as its primary ingredient. The drink combines allspice, cardamom and fresh citrus with a bitter finish inspired by centuries-old mule recipes.
More: New pop-up bar concept with alcohol-free drink list coming to Athens in 2024
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Here are 5 great mocktail options in the Athens area
