Five places to get an excellent mocktail (and three recipes you can make at home)
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Fear not alcohol-avoiders, there’s no overpriced soda water with a hint of lime and a soggy berry thrown in for good measure that hold space on this list.
Whether it’s a lifestyle change or a temporary break, more and more people are are exploring healthier drinking habits and opting for the alcohol-free option. But where can you go in Canberra for an excellent mocktail?
We’re here to help.
Our team ranges from the completely sober Emma (you can read her journey here) to Erin, Bea and Amanda who are all conscious of their consumption and sometimes go months without alcohol (but who will also happily have a glass of something when they feel like it), giving us a pretty good idea of what’s worth sipping on around town.
To us, a good mocktail comes down to the thought and process behind it – we don’t want to sip on lemonade with food colouring (don’t laugh, we’ve been served it), glorified soda water or juice with a splash of soda water. We want something fun, and damn delicious. We want a thrill, just like the rest of you!
So here are five places in Canberra where you can get a stellar mocktail (as well as three flavoursome recipes you can make at home).
Just a note: this list is based on our personal taste and dedication to trying to sip as many non-alcoholic cocktails as we can. Hopefully, it inspires you to have some fun without the headache.
Bar Beirut
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Award-winning barman Soumi Tannous from Bar Beruit is the man to see if you are gagging for a cocktail but trying to stay sober.
His mastery of flavour profiles and botanicals means he produces amazing alcohol-free concoctions, including the most perfect Gin and Tonic without the gin. He also places importance on low-alcohol options and brews many of his own bases. The guy is a genius. He’s also up for a challenge, so if you tell him what you like, he can whip up the alcohol-free version or as close to it as you can get.
25 Garema Place, Canberra City | barbeirut.com.au
Volstead Repeal
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Having won a slew of new awards for its inventive cocktail list, Volstead Repeal is a must-try bar in Canberra – and they’re home to some of the best mocktails we’ve put in our mouths. Award-winning bartender Stu recommends the Landlubber using house-made pineapple and ginger cordial, saline, lemon and soda. And if you’re up for something a little more out there try the Devil Fruit, a combination of house-made Beet Shrub (sugar vinegar and beet juice) with lemon, rosewater and soda. Passionate about the creative process behind each new cocktail (the menu rotates every three months), Stu will open up a whole new world of non-drinking drinking experiences for you.
7/32 Mort Street, Braddon | volstead.com.au
Saint Malo
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‘Pretty as a picture’ is the best way to describe the mocktails at Saint Malo – and they taste as good as they look.
Made with a mix of sweetness, creativity and a whole lot of passion, the Mango Bango (pictured) will keep spirits high (with none of the alcohol) while the Menta Lima Y Refresco is the perfect zero-proof summer pairing with the drool-worthy menu.
23 London Circuit, Canberra City | saintmalo.com.au
Louis
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Best sipped outside on the sun-kissed Terrace with a charcuterie board to share, you won’t see a mocktail menu at Louis – but if you ask, the amazing team can make anything you want, and they’ll do it well.
They have plenty of fresh fruit and herbs on hand and its kind of exciting to see what they bring to the table. You’ll want more than one. Also stocking plenty of zero or low-alcoholic beer and wine options, your tastebuds will love you for it.
Ground Floor/18 National Circuit, Barton | louisdining.com.au
Capitol Bar & Grill
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All spirit, no sacrifice. Capital Bar & Grill uses Lyre’s exquisite range of non-alcoholic spirits to make the impossible possible and bring you an amazing range of zero-proof cocktails – including an Espresso Martini, Amaretti Sour and Tommy’s Margarita, paying tribute to classic cocktail culture.
But if that’s not enough they also have non-alcoholic wine and beer on the menu, perfect for a night out.
1 London Circuit, Canberra City | qthotels.com
Rather sip back and relax with a refreshing mocktail at home? Here are three recipes to have up your sleeve.
In exciting news for lovers of tea and non-acholic tipples (AKA us), T2 has recently released an iced tea-based mocktail range that will tantalise the tastebuds of those looking for an alcohol-free beverage.
Coming in three fruity flavours – Peach Amore, Lemon Coco Breeze and Watermelon Fiesta – here’s how to use them to whip up your own amazing alcohol-free concoctions.
NANUYA LAILAI
The Nanuya Lailai is a mocktail that will certainly impress your guests (if you choose to share, that is). It’s the perfect sundowner drink!
INGREDIENTS
120ml T2 Lemon Coco Breeze
30ml Sugar Free Coconut Water
20ml Verjuice
Garnish: Shredded coconut, Baby’s Breath Flower
Glass: Highball
METHOD
- Add shredded coconut to the rim of the glass.
- Add all ingredients into the highball glass, add ice and stir.
- Include Baby’s Breath Flower in the glass for that added touch of island life.
THAT’S AMORE
Channel an Italian summertime romance with this sweet mocktail. Best served cold with the frozen raspberries acting as ice, it’s also worthy of a spot on the ‘gram.
INGREDIENTS
80ml T2 Peach Amore
1 dash Rose Water
70ml Non Alcoholic Sparkling Wine
Garnish: Frozen raspberries
Glass: Flute
METHOD
- Pour all ingredients into glass
- Add the raspberries to finish
FIESTA MEXICANA
Love a spicy marg? This fun and vibrant twist has a refreshing combination of watermelon and mint flavours. Hot tip – using verjuice instead of lime ensures the pretty pink colour of the T2 Iced Watermelon Fiesta shines through.
INGREDIENTS
80ml T2 Iced Watermelon Fiesta
20ml Verjuice
2x small pieces of chilli
2x lime leaf
Garnish: Pink salt and chilli flakes
Glass: Rock / Tumbler
METHOD
- Add pink salt and chilli flakes to the rim of the glass
- Combine all ingredients together and shake, double strain into the glass with ice
