Mocktails are becoming increasingly common in Toronto’s bar scene, which is great news for anyone living a sober lifestyle, embracing Dry January, or just simply want to try a non-alcoholic but delicious beverage.
Here are 10 great spots to find a delicious mocktail in the city:
1. Casa Madera
One of the buzziest restaurants in Toronto for coastal Mexican cuisine also serves up some of the city’s most delicious (albeit pricy) cocktails, inspired by the elements of earth, air, fire, and water. Located in the 1 Hotel Toronto, Casa Madera’s zero-proof selection includes four options, like the Casa Sangrita made with mango habanero sangrita, seedlip grove, agave, and basil, or the La Fuente, which combines seedlip grove, coconut water, blue spirulina, and spiced demerara for a drink as tasty as it is pretty.
2. BarChef
Known for their inventive cocktail creations with stunning presentations, BarChef on Queen West also offers a small selection of spirit-free beverages which use premium zero proof spirits and proprietary ingredients. The Royal Blossom for example uses a blend of black tea, Seedlip Garden 108, orange blossom, thyme, and Mediterranean tonic, resulting in a refreshing, crisp mocktail.
3. Parquet
Having opened in late 2022, relatively new French bistro Parquet in Harbord Village not only stuns with its intimate, sultry interiors, but also with its ode to classic French cuisine. You’ll find eight creative cocktails on their menu, including the deliciously tart Light Up Gold mocktail, which includes Seedlip 94, lime, grapefruit gomme, and soda.
4. The Shameful Tiki Room
Parkdale’s The Shameful Tiki Room is a go-to for mesmerizing tropical-themed cocktails, but this small bar also does a variety of alcohol-free versions. The menu lists three mocktail options, like their grapefruit twist on a mojito, but they can also make many of their other offerings virgin.
5. Mother Tongue
With two locations including within the Templar Hotel on Adelaide Street and a second in Blue Mountain Village, Mother Tongue serves up a modern twist on Asian cuisine as well as some vibrant cocktail and mocktails to choose from. Try their Cold Pressed Mule, a combination of sobrii ‘tequila’, lemon, lime, pineapple, serrano pepper, thai basil, lemongrass, and ginger beer.
6. Reposado Bar & Lounge
Specializing in top-shelf tequilas and mezcal, Reposado Bar & Lounge on Ossington has a number of zero-proof takes on their classics as well to pair with their delectable tacos and empanadas. From their blood orange “marg” to their non-alcoholic black & stormy, you’ll get to enjoy all of the flavour sans booze. Also, don’t miss one of their live music nights!
7. Famous Last Words
Inspired by literature with drinks named after book titles, Famous Last Words in the Junction is a cozy spot with plush seats, board games, and even a Scrabble tile–topped bar. They also have several mocktails on the menu, such as The House on Mango Street which uses Seedlip Grove, mango and orange juice, elderflower, and rhubarb bitters.
8. Maple Leaf Tavern
This refined American tavern in Leslieville has a range of drinks and food to choose from. Maple Leaf Tavern’s zero-proof selection also includes a couple of creative options for only $7, like the Truffled Pear Fizz which blends pear nectar, fresh lemon, truffled honey, and club soda.
9. The Pilot
Having called Yorkville home since 1944, The Pilot is a Toronto institution serving mostly classic beverages, including cocktails, wines, beer, and canned drinks. For mocktails, you’ll find several under $10 like the Cucumber Gimlet, Shirley Ginger, or Blue Rosemary Smash, made with blueberries, rosemary, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Stop by for live jazz nights or to check out their heated rooftop patio!
10. Bar Reyna
Head to Bar Reyna in Yorkville for Mediterranean snacks and cocktails in a beautifully-designed space and all-season patio. Their cocktail list is extensive, with 5 zero-proof offerings to choose from. Try their Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade, created with butterfly pea flower, lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda.