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Mmm…mocktails

Dry January is upon us — and local establishments are prepared.

Gone are the days of drinking-mandatory vibes at pubs and breweries. Regardless of the month, non-alcoholic beverages have been surging in popularity nationally, as has the “sober-curious” movement.

Alcohol mindfulness tends to reach its peak during January, when many people choose to take a monthlong break from drinking.

If that’s you (or if you were a non-drinker to begin with), here are some local spots you can find an enticing selection of non-alcoholic cocktails, beers and other beverages:

  • Up North Wine Tasting Room, Geneva: From non-alcoholic sparkling wine to fun and flavorful mocktails, Up North has you covered for Dry January.

  • Barrel & Rye, Geneva: Two NA beer options and two spirit-free cocktails, including one with hot honey and fig jam. Yum.

  • Geneva Wine Cellars: The Domaine EdeM N0 ROSAE, Dealcoholized Sparkling Rosé — with alcohol removed through vacuum distillation to preserve aroma, flavor, and freshness.

  • Geneva Winery: Seven NA beer options from Go Brewing plus tons of coffee and tea flavors.

  • Niche, Geneva: Three mocktails, including a spicy mango margarita and a cranberry mule.

  • Obscurity Brewing, Elburn: Three NA beer options (from Go Brewing).

  • Penrose Brewing, Geneva: The taproom offers two NA beers plus juice boxes for the kids (and young at heart).

  • The Graceful Ordinary, STC: Six NA cocktails, including “This Little Figgy” with real fig purée, orgeat for subtle nuttiness, lemonade, and club soda.

  • The James, Geneva: A nice selection of no-proof cocktails (the Passion of the Mule sure sounds refreshing).

  • The Lewis, STC: Four zero-alcohol cocktails and an NA beer.

  • The Walrus Room, Geneva: Several low-ABV mocktails and “un-cocktails.”

  • Alter Brewing, STC: Three tasty-looking NA beers plus four mocktail options.

  • Bad Alice, Geneva: One of the Tri-Cities’ newer establishments offers six NA beverage options.

  • Sturdy Shelter Brewing, Batavia: Choose from a rotating list of NA beers plus house-made sodas.

Certainly not an exhaustive list…but a good place to start!

Thanks for reading

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