Press Play Salem Tasting TeamCheers to a beverage that embodies the flavors and aromas of alcoholic spirits, but without the potential hangover the next morning. Several Salem locales are offering zero-proof (nonalcoholic) cocktails as part of their everyday menus. And you don’t need to wait until Dry January to enjoy them.
At Archive Coffee & Bar, 102 Liberty St NE #120
Aptly representing both the coffee and bar side of their business, Archive has crafted a collection of zero-proof cocktails that truly embody the genre by leaning on the use of bitters, zero-proof spirits and tonic.
One to try: New Old Fashioned
At Bentley’s inside The Grand Hotel
The alcohol-free cocktail offerings at Bentley’s are an understated and approachable upscale variety of some classic flavors such as cherry, ginger and grapefruit.
One to try: Cherry Orchard
At The Cozy Taberna, 249 Liberty St NE #140
Complementing the small plates served at The Cozy, you will find a variety of alcohol-free beverages, from signature handcrafted cocktails to zero-proof wine and non-alcoholic beer.
One to try: Just in Thyme
At Epilogue Kitchen & Cocktails, 508 State St
It should come as no surprise that a restaurant with a two-time James Beard-nominated chef features zero-proof cocktails that stand out and offer their own unique experiences. Their beverages draw on some common flavors, like citrus juices, along with some unique ones, such as sumac tea, calamansi vinegar and jerk spices.
One to try: Beach Vibes
At Pacific Standard inside The Holman Hotel
Although there are only a couple of alcohol-free mixed drinks on the Pacific Standard menu, they live up to the title well as they bring together nonalcoholic spirits with unique flavors to provide an elevated cocktail experience.
One to try: Tiger Balm
At Palominos Restaurant & Bar, 466 Court St NE
Palominos features zero-proof offerings that feature a little something for every palette, from their seasonal virgin mule to a spritz to a “bougie” Arnold Palmer.
One to try: The Sierra
At Wild Pear, 372 State St
Can you call a zero-proof cocktail comforting? There is a familiarity with the mocktails available from Wild Pear, appealing to a wide variety of tastes by elevating popular flavors in memorable combinations.
One to try: Mint Berry Smash
This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 18 (Winter 2023)
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