12 D.C. Mocktails That Are Better Than a Shirley Temple

The fruitiest, funkiest, alcohol-free drinks around

by Julekha Dash Feb 20, 2018, 4:54pm EST

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Assorted mocktails at Momofuku CCDC.

| Momofuku CCDC [Official photo]

by Julekha Dash Feb 20, 2018, 4:54pm EST

There was a time when the only thing teetotalers could expect while dining out were fizzy glasses of grenadine and ginger ale. But mocktails have come a long way since sugary staples like the Shirley Temple. Bartenders are now creating alcohol-free drinks with custom tonics, shrubs, bitters and fresh-squeezed juices. The concoctions are so intricate that even spirit drinkers won’t miss the booze.

Some establishments, such as Silver Spring’s All Set, offer booze-free versions of their cocktails, while other restaurants are turning to non-alcoholic options favored in the country whose food they represent. Zentan, for instance, serves a mocktail featuring Japanese soda Calpis. Folks traveling to Baltimore can try a variety of options, including Woodberry Kitchen, Minnow, and Showroom Café and Bar.

Here are a dozen spots where customers won’t miss the alcohol.

Note: The featured bars and restaurants are not ranked. The map is arranged geographically from north to south.

City Perch

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City Perch offers half a dozen nonalcoholic options year-round, including homemade ginger beers and tonic water.

11830 Grand Park Ave Suite B, North Bethesda, MD 20852

(301) 231-2310

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All Set

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This Silver Spring restaurant has adapted its house cocktails for teetotalers with its four mocktails. The Provincetown contains cranberry juice, lemon, cucumber, ginger, club soda, basil, and mint.

8630 Fenton Street, Plaza 5, Silver Spring, MD 20910

(301) 495-8800

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Bartaco

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The seven mocktails at this Tex-Mex-y chain include fresh fruit, mint, and chicha, a purple corn-based drink. Chicha is boiled with pineapple, sugar, and spices and garnished with a pineapple wedge.

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12021 Town Square St, Reston, VA 20190

(703) 787-8226

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District Distilling Co.

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Teetotalers might not expect a distillery to cater to them, but the bar here servers three mocktails, including a carrot soda with carrot syrup, lime juice, and orange bitters.

1414 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009

(202) 629-3787

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Assorted drinks at District Distilling Co.

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Zentan

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This Japanese restaurant uses green tea and passion fruit puree in its Asian-inspired mocktails. Try Japanese soda Calpis with ginger, lime, and egg white, which makes up the Crooked Glance.

1155 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

(202) 379-4366

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Fiola Mare

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This swanky Georgetown restaurant doesn’t skimp on flavor with its three mocktails. Try the Spiced Melograno with syrup, pomegranate, lemon, and club soda.

3050 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007

(202) 628-0065

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Equinox

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The upscale veggie friendly spot uses offer three to five rotating non-alcoholic beverages, dubbed “craft beverages.” The Kentucky Kiss is made with pureed strawberry, lemon juice, and maple syrup; it debuted in February.

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818 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20006

(202) 331-8118

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Momofuku CCDC

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Pomegranate, matcha, and plums make their way onto the mocktail menu here. The Pomegranate Peppercorn Highball is made with pomegranate molasses, anise, and Sichuan peppercorn.

1090 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001

(202) 602-1832

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Cured fruit, coconut milk ,and Sicuahn peppercorns bolster Momofuku CCDC’s mocktails.

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Bindaas (Multiple locations)

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The new Foggy Bottom location of this casual Indian restaurant offers three mocktails, including a citrus-saffron soda, spicy green soda, and tamarind soda. The Cleveland Park location serves an apple-ginger soda and lavender lemonade.

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2000 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20006

(202) 516-4326

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Founding Farmers (Multiple locations)

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With eight drinks listed in its “Farmacy” section, and half a dozen cold-pressed juice blends, Founding Farmers makes it easy to abstain from alcohol. Try one of the house sodas, featuring hibiscus, ginger, vanilla, grapefruit, orange, lemon-lime, and seasonally inspired flavors.

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1924 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20006

(202) 822-8783

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Tonic

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Tonic doesn’t forget about teetotalers. Its four mocktails count demerara syrup, lime juice, and ginger beer among the featured ingredients. The Jerk is made with fresh cherry and vanilla syrup, Coke, and maraschino cherries.

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2036 G St NW, Washington, DC 20036

(202) 296-0211

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The Partisan

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Penn Quarter’s Partisan recently unveiled its new mocktail list, titled “alternative rocks.” Try the Should I Stay or Should I Go, with honey ginger syrup, habanero and serrano syrup, citrus, and candied ginger.