by Jessica Hughes
As we all look to the new year with fresh intentions and a goal-oriented mindset, one new year resolution that has become popular over the years is Dry January. A health campaign that started in 2013, Dry January is a way to begin the new year with healthy habits and a clear mind by removing alcohol consumption for the entire month.
Whether you need a break from drinking after the holidays, kick-start a healthier routine, or have always preferred not to drink, achieve your goals without feeling deprived, with curated mocktail menus from these local Denver bars.
Non-alcoholic potions that tend to the body and mind, from Honey Elixir Bar. Photo courtesy of Honey Elixir Bar Facebook
Where: 2636 Walnut St. #104, Denver, CO 80205
Encouraging rejuvenation over depletion, Honey Elixir Bar is a drinking experience that is meant to reinvigorate and stimulate, not tear down. Their chic mocktails and cocktails are met with equally chic interiors of their funky lux lounge where sipping has become a lost art form. You won’t find any imitations of well-known cocktails, as their mocktail menu is truly original with favorites like the Chocolit and the Mai Chai.
The cornerstone of their elixir bar is the fermented drink, Jun. Similar to kombucha, Jun uses honey and green tea instead of black tea and cane sugar. Honey has partnered with two local master brewers of Jun, Ish’s Brew and Ling Elixirs (both based in Boulder) to offer this healthy alternative as the basis for many of their mocktails. Do note, Jun does naturally contain 3-4% alcohol.
For truly non-alcoholic drinks, sip and savor their natural cacao or shift your consciousness with invigorating drink potions infused with botanicals, herbs, and super foods. Even their cocktails are made with high-quality spirits, honey instead of sugar, and high-quality botanicals, so no need to feel guilty with these alcoholic drinks.
An artful cocktail bar paired with crafty mocktails at Room for Milly. Photo courtesy of Room for Milly Facebook
Room For Milly
Where: 1615 Platte St., Suite 145, Denver, CO 80202
With a nod to travel and an ultra-modern-chic atmosphere, Room for Milly is designed to be a place for friends to gather over a good conversation, admire an artful interior, and enjoy a good cocktail. Along with their beer, wine, and sake menu, the bar also features a tantalizing list of zero-proof beverages. The select group of three include: the Cantab, a jasmine iced tea with umb shrub and pomegranate; the Clara with seedlip spice, tonic; and the Avenue No. 3 with seedlip spice, ginger, jasmine tea, honey, and citrus.
Forget me Not
Where: 227 Clayton St., Denver, CO 80206
Located in the heart of Cherry Creek, Forget Me Not is a cocktail bar that infuses the art of decor, sophistication, and color in both its drinks and its interiors. Placed in the middle of their large cocktail menu are three delightful zero-proof drinks that won’t make you miss the liquor. Choose from the Perfect Vision with seedlip grove, coconut water, verjus, rose water; the Deep Roots with seedlip garden, tarragon, beet, ginger, citrus stappi red bitter; and the Green Machine with seedlip grove, cucumber, salted lemon, and ginger.
Lady Jane
Where: 2021 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, CO 80211
Located in the trendy LoHi neighborhood, Lady Jane is an unpretentious cocktail bar that makes serving
Forget Me Not’s Green Machine made with seedlip, cucumber, and salted lemon. Photo courtesy of Forget Me Not Facebook
delicious drinks look easy. On their menu, are four mocktails that do anything but mock other cocktails. With four original drinks, including a pomegranate-ginger spritz, a spiced apple sour, coffee colada, and a pink guava cooler. While you will find more cocktails than mocktails on the menu, even their alcoholic drinks serve up fresh local ingredients with high-end spirits to minimize the guilt factor.
Death & Co.
Where: 1280 25th St., Denver, CO 80205
Don’t despair, even the most sought-after cocktail lounge, Death & Co. is home to a surprisingly decent list of mocktails and non-alcoholic drinks. The swanky RiNo location invites cocktail and mocktail purveyors alike, with the carefully curated zero-proof drink selection. Choose from three different options: the Alpenglow with hibiscus, black tea, bay leaf, lime, and seltzer; the Holidays in the Sun with non-alcoholic dry Aperitif, Moroccan mint tea; and Out of Time with Three Spirits Livener, blueberry, cold brew, and coconut. In addition to their mocktails, they also offer a brief selection of non-alcoholic beer and wine.
