food

Dry January Is Here: Zero-Proof Zealots Will Rejoice Over These Creative Concoctions

Dry January Is Here: Zero-Proof Zealots Will Rejoice Over These Creative Concoctions

A bartender at Coltivare mixes a mocktail

WELCOME TO 2022, yet another year of living and adapting during a pandemic. For many, alcohol has been a necessary component of survival — and, in turn, lots of people are sober-curious, opting to forego or, at the very least, cut back on consumption. But no matter your stance on Dry January, it’s hard to deny that Houston mixologists have gotten clever, combining high-quality ingredients in a way that elevates the mocktail. Here are several spots serving up zero-proof deliciousness this month — and beyond.


Shake It cocktail at Coltivare

Coltivare A month-long special menu at Coltivare boasts seven creative bevs using non-alcoholic spirit brands like Seedlip — it’s vegan, allergy-friendly, and calorie- and sugar-free — and Lyre’s, which has alcohol-free versions of tequila, gin, bourbon, rum, vermouth and other liquors. Still in the holiday spirit? Try Coltivare’s Shake It, which “presents like eggnog” and uses Lyre’s Coffee, Lyre’s Dark Rum, heavy cream, simple syrup, egg and orange zest. Or perhaps the Hot Toddy-inspired Take Five, which tastes like a seasonal Amaretto tea. Non-alocholic beer will also be on the menu.

Virgin Mojito at Dish Society

Dish Society There’s something for everyone at Dish Society, from cold-pressed juices to spirit-free “elixers,” like a virgin mojito with freshly muddled mint, lime juice, cane sugar and club soda. The Lemonberry drink has strawberries, blackberries, mint, lemon and cane sugar — perfectly refreshing on a warmer January day.

Spritzers at Heartbeet

Heartbeet The family behind Hungry’s has opened Heartbeet, a vegan restaurant next-door to its Memorial outpost. Besides a new brunch menu — banana buckwheat waffles or tofu migas, anyone? — healthy “Spritzers” await, filled with fresh fruits and veggies. The ginger-turmeric tonic has anti-inflammatory properties, while the kale-mint spritz also has notes of green apple, lemon and ginger. Also try the cucumber-rose version, and the strawberry-chia limeade!

Login • Instagram

Brennan’s of Houston Mocktails are a popular request at this Houston institution, where beverages like a blackberry lemon drop and a mojito can easily be made alcohol-free. Just ask!

Login • Instagram

Local Table Family-friendly resto Local Table, which just opened a new location in Garden Oaks, has a beverage menu with great cocktails and mocktails alike. The blueberry-basil or raspberry lemonade is available year-round.

Toronjajaja at Monkey's Tail

Monkey’s Tail Monkey’s Tail beverage director Lainey Collum, who has previously shaken and poured at establishments like Yauatcha, Prohibition and Hay Merchant, believes that non-alcoholic cocktails should be more widely available and enjoyable. She frequently updates her alcohol-free — or, as she calls them, “free spirited” — offerings. Current hits include the Toronjajaja, with grapefruit, strawberry, lime, firewater and club soda, and the NYC Special, with café de olla, sweetened condensed milk and Coke.

Reikina Former Amazon-worker-turned-chef-restaurateur Thomas Stacy debuted ReikiNa in CityCentre a few months ago, an ambitious Euro-Asian tasting-menu concept. Two popular alcohol-free drinks include the Tangerine Dream, with a base of tangerine, lemon and lime, and topped with warm, crushed clove; and the Hibiscus Zen, an herbal-tea cocktail with dried hibiscus flowers, white pepper and fresh basil that can also be made with gin for those who choose to imbibe.

Mocktails at Tobiuo Sushi & Bar

Tobiuo Sushi & Bar The popular Katy sushi joint is offering four alcohol-free cocktails for just $4 each, including strawberry-basil, lavender-lychee (with a tangy pop of cherry juice!), orange “Dreamsicle,” and honey-ginger.

From Your Site Articles
Food
promoted

Chlorophyll Water, Special Spa Treatments, More: Tips for Mom Bods Emerging from Long Winter’s Nap

Chlorophyll Water, Special Spa Treatments, More: Tips for Mom Bods Emerging from Long Winter’s Nap

The author suggests Pilates as part of her plan for ‘mom bods’ to renew for spring.

AS WE SWAP out our warm comfy PJs for swimsuits, the thought of showing off our bodies can stir up all kinds of emotions, especially for us moms. Here are a few strategic steps to stride into the spring and summer months with confidence and feeling your best.

Keep Reading Show less
music

With New Concept Album, Jacob Hilton Processes Mental-Health Struggles

Dakota Garrett

Jacob Hilton, a.k.a. Travid Halton, at home in his kitchen, where he enjoys cooking as a form of therapy.

PINK FLOYD'S THE Wall. Sinatra’s In the Wee Small Hours. Beyonce’s Lemonade. Three divergent examples of the album as a cathartic, psychological, conceptual work, meant to be experienced in a single sitting. Houston singer-songwriter Jacob Hilton, 37, who records as Travid Halton, a portmanteau of his mother and father’s names, might balk at being mentioned in such company. (This is a thoroughly unpretentious man, who describes himself as an “archaeologist turned singer-songwriter.”)

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment
promoted

Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

Al Torres

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

Keep Reading Show less