As the holidays wind down, many of us start to question our copious alcohol consumption. For some, the best way to counter a wet holiday season is with dry January—a month-long hiatus from drinking alcohol. If the thought of giving your body and mind a break from alcohol appeals to you, but you’re worried about missing out on the yummy libations all your friends will be imbibing when you go out, fear not. Charlottesville’s bar scene has developed a surprisingly broad menu of NA cocktails and beer. And guess what? Taking a break from alcohol—even if only for a few weeks—can help improve your body and mind almost immediately. In addition to a clearer head (alcohol consumption is linked to memory trouble, slowed reaction time, difficulty controlling behavior, poor concentration, and even long-term depression and anxiety), you may notice clearer-looking skin, more sound and restful sleep, and better-fitting pants. As you dive into a dry January, try one of these.
Sidle up to the bar at Public Fish & Oyster House for mocktails made with Lyre’s NA spirits. We love the Spritz N’ Giggles because it’s really fun to say and, with its mix of Lyre’s NA Campari, seltzer, grapefruit cordial, and lemon, it’s a tart and tantalizing treat.
Duck into Maya and choose from five different mocktails including the Fleur de Nie. We loved the combination of elderberry syrup (yay, immunity booster!), lime, and soda. Maya’s menu also features Heineken Zero beer, a good near beer option for those craving the hoppy refreshment of a cold lager.
Further down West Main Street, grab a nonalcoholic margarita at Continental Divide (extra salt, please!) to go with your Red, Hot N’ Blues and Santa Fe Enchilada.
Kanak Indian Kitchen at Fifth Street Station serves some of the best Indian food we’ve ever had stateside, along with a selection of nonalcoholic beverages to wash down your Sabjiwala. The Cacaowali Thandai mixes milk, cardamom, saffron, iris, and black tea for a spicy, satisfying sip.
At The Bebedero on the Downtown Mall, enjoy modern Mexican cuisine and let the bartender mix up a mocktail to suit you. When we visited, the bartender customized a mocktail for us (slightly sweet and tropical) that perfectly complemented our tacos al pastor.
Just off the mall, Tonic offers several zero-proof cocktails, like the Pom Pom Spritz, a zingy mix of pomegranate syrup, orange, lemon, and soda. (There’s also NA beer on the menu from local Three Notch’d Brewery.)
Down in Woolen Mills, Selvedge Brewing offers two different mocktails, including one that’s perfect for cold winter nights: the Harvest Mule. The Mule combines apple cider, ginger beer, and lime for a spicy and interesting palate pleaser that’s as close as you can get to a Moscow Mule without the booze.
Finally, pop into Firefly for a selection of mocktails and other nonalcoholic beverages including kombucha and Crunchy Hydration’s Om grapefruit sparkling water drink with an added 15mg of CBD. Come for the NA drinks, stay for the arcade and board games.
Pleasing pints
In addition to the array of mocktails you can find in Charlottesville’s restaurants, many craft brewers have also started offering NA beer, or near beer. Three Notch’d brews some stellar NA options, while Random Row sells Athletic Brewing Company beer at its tap room on Preston Avenue. Kardinal Hall also offers NA beer and kombucha, as does Beer Run, where you can take a wide variety of NA beers in six-packs to go.
