This post was originally published on February 4, 2018, with the title ‘Are “Mocktails” Pittsburgh’s Next Food Trend?’
Perhaps sparked by the rampant popularization of January diets like “Whole 30” and “Dry January,” a new variety of cocktails are popping up on bar menus across the country.
On the surface, these drinks share little. Some are sweet, some are sour, and some are savory. However, each cocktail has one distinct similarity – they don’t have alcohol.
“Mocktails,” or “Mock – cocktails,” as they are called, are currently spending some time in the limelight, making going out and not having a drink just as fun as ordering one.
From Omaha to Denver, Nashville, and Seattle, these fake cocktails are causing quite a stir. Online liquor publication, Supercall, predicted that the country would see many more mocktails and low ABV drinks in 2018. (Are finally realizing we can’t drink like we did in college?)
So how does Pittsburgh fare on the trend? After pursuing the bar menus drinking establishments across the city, I think it’s safe to say Pittsburgh is getting there. Many bars are happy to make their patrons a cocktail sans booze, but few make space for these drinks on their menu.
If you listen to our podcast, Good Food Pittsburgh Radio, you’ll know that the GFP team loves cocktails. However, the idea of thoughtful mocktails, and especially lower ABV drinks (with a lower price point?) sound appealing.
Below we’ve listed a few Pittsburgh bars that are making the push to both innovate, and advertise mocktails.
Where do you stand on the mocktail debate? Are you interested in seeing more restaurants and bars make space for mocktails on their menu? Please share your opinion in the comments below.
Where to Find a Non-Alcoholic Cocktail in Pittsburgh:
Spork
This upscale Garfield eatery has several mocktails on their menu. Their beverage menu changes frequently, but currently includes drinks like the “white mountain shores” with blueberry shrub, orange, soda, and the “happy gilmore” with earl grey tea, lemon cordial, club soda.
Spork (5430 Penn Ave)
Mixtape
Just down the street from Spork, Mixtape has an entire section on their menu devoted to mocktails. Curl up with a board game in one of Mixtape’s bean-bag-chairs, and enjoy a mocktail like the “The Cran-Cran,” with cranberry cordial, ginger beer, rosemary, fresh-squeeze lime, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Mixtape (4907 Penn Ave)
Hidden Harbor
Everyone’s favorite Squirrel Hill tiki bar is a great place to go if you’re looking for a great mocktail. The bar does advertise several mocktails on their menu, but they are also able to make any drink (except their frozen beverages) sans alcohol.
Hidden Harbor (1708 Shady Ave)
Empath Sober Bar & Social Events
This new sober series hosts sober pop-up events around the city, offering a “fun, safe, supportive and inclusive environment for everyone from all walks of life, both sober and ‘sober curious.'” Current events on their calendar include a Sober New Years Eve Celebration, Dry January Sober Bar Night Party, and Sober Dance Night. More information can be found online.
More spots with mocktails on the menu:
If we forgot a spot that is mixing up great mocktails, don’t fret! Please share it below!
For more coverage, read The New York Times’ June 2019 piece, The New Sobriety covering the “sober-curious” trend.
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