Ordering Mocktails With Confidence: Tips & Tricks for Any Bar or Restaurant

Walking into a bar or restaurant doesn’t mean alcohol has to be part of the experience. Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, taking a break, or just not in the mood to drink, ordering a mocktail should feel just as intentional—and just as fun—as ordering a cocktail.

Here’s how to order mocktails with confidence, ease, and zero awkwardness.

Know What to Ask For

Not every menu lists mocktails, but that doesn’t mean the bar can’t make one. A few easy phrases:

• “Do you have any non-alcoholic cocktails or zero-proof options?”

• “Could you make something refreshing and citrusy—no alcohol?”

• “Can I get a mocktail version of this drink?”

Bartenders are often more creative than menus allow—give them a flavor direction and let them work their magic.

Think in Flavor Profiles

Instead of naming a drink, think about how you want it to *feel*:

• Bright & fresh: citrus, mint, soda

• Bold & bitter: tonic, grapefruit, bitters (ask if alcohol-free)

• Warm & complex: ginger, cinnamon, rosemary

• Sweet & fruity: berry purées, pineapple, mango

This helps bartenders craft something intentional rather than defaulting to juice and soda.

Ask About Non-Alcoholic Spirits

More bars now carry zero-proof spirits that mimic gin, tequila, whiskey, or aperitifs. If available, these elevate mocktails from “kid drink” to crafted experience.

Try asking:

• “Do you carry any non-alcoholic spirits?”

• “Can you make a zero-proof version of a classic cocktail?”

Own Your Choice

You don’t owe anyone an explanation. Ordering a mocktail is no different than ordering sparkling water or coffee. Confidence sets the tone—when you treat it as normal, others will too.

Mocktails aren’t a downgrade. They’re a choice.