Now that the New Year has hit us and the indulgences of Christmas are over, we’ve reached that point where we’re thinking about cutting back and even going booze-free for a while. Regardless of whether you don’t drink to begin with, you’re trying to be healthy, saving money, or if you’re participating in Dry January; it doesn’t mean you have to give up on making plans come Friday night.
After a long day, when you’re hankering for that ice cold Peroni or a refreshing G&T, stay strong and opt for a delicious (hangover free) Mocktail instead. We’ve rounded up some of the top alcohol-free drinks being served up by the coolest bars in HK…
To complement their vibrant Saigonese cuisine, Le Garçon Saigon have a delicious array of “Les Innocents” to choose from. To get a true taste of the french influences that characterise Saigon, go for the Les Amoureux – a mix of mango, passionfruit and lemon, or the Saveurs de Saigon, which is made with Vietnamese lotus tea, lychee and mint.
Le Garçon Saigon, 12 Wing Fung Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, www.legarconsaigon.com
For a limited time only, Grassroots Pantry are keeping the 852 hydrated and healthy with their collaboration with Vita Coco! The exclusive menu offers up four delicious drinks carefully formulated to energise, relax, detox and repair. For a decadent pre-gym smoothie, go for the Beach Body, made from Vita Coco ice cubes, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds and Chaga powder, sweetened with dates and creamy almond butter.
Grassroots Pantry, 108 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, www.grassrootspantry.com
With their range of “Teetotallers, each named after neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires Polo Club is the place to head this (dry) January! A perfect seasonal choice is the Boedo, made with cranberry, mint and ginger; or opt for the Recoleta, made with the nation’s beloved mate tea, it’s a true taste of Argentina!
Buenos Aires Polo Club, 7/Fl, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.bapoloclub.com
As a twist on one of their signatures cocktails, Moonshine & The Po’Boys have ditched the Jack Daniel’s and created the Virgin Watermelon Smash! Made with watermelon slices, fresh ginger and mint, we’d choose this mocktail everyday of the week.
Moonshine & The Po’Boys, 4 Sun Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, www.moonshinepoboys.hk
If you’re in the mood for some amazing steak this New Year and are trying to resist that glass of red, Gaucho has you covered with their selection of non-alcoholic cocktails. For an instant pick-me-up, opt for the Carino, made with fresh strawberry and passion fruit purees, which are shaken with cranberry juice; or try the Pan Americana, consisting of blueberries, strawberries and cranberry juice shaken with mint!
Gaucho, 5/F, LHT Tower, 31 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong, www.gauchorestaurants.com
You certainly don’t need alcohol to enjoy the breathtaking views of the Harbour from Alto Bar & Grill! Take it all in perched on the 31st floor, whilst sipping on the delicious Ginger Buzz; made from pear puree, lime juice, fresh apple, ginger juice and ginger ale.
Alto Bar & Grill, 31/F, V Point, 18 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, www.diningconcepts.com/Alto
Enjoy some hearty Italian fare alongside a mocktail (or two!) at DiVino Patio. We love the sound of the Fruit Jasmine, which is a tantalising blend of Jasmine tea, fresh apple, pineapple and strawberry syrup. Or go for a Dry Jan spin on an old fave with the Virgin Mojito!
DiVino Patio, Shop 11, 1/F, BRIM28 No. 28 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong, www.divinogroup.com/restaurants
The weather may be cooler, but at Havana LKF, you’ll be transported straight to Cuba! Enjoy the fruity tastes of the Caribbean with their delish range of mocktails. Try the Monkey Business, with fresh pineapple, banana, lime juice and pomegranate syrup, or the Caribbean Delight, made with orange juice, coconut water, lime juice and grenadine – no rum required!
Havana LKF, 4/F, The Plaza, 21 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong, www.havanabar.com.hk
Hop to Hong Kong’s premier Polynesian cocktail lounge, Honi Honi and going without the booze will be a breeze. Try their Passion Water Tiki Shake, which infuses passion fruit purée, watermelon juice, apple juice, and a splash of lemon juice!
Honi Honi Tiki Bar, 3/F, Somptueux Central, 52 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.honihonibar.com
Envisage yourself on the streets of Hanoi (or the beach in Da Nang!) whilst sipping on a refreshing Calamansi Lime Soda from Chôm Chôm! Keep the rice paper rolls and Vietnamese fried chicken coming, girls, you’ll want to order another of these!
Chôm Chôm, G/F Block A,No. 58-60 Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.chomchom.hk
For a drink that’s got a serious non-alcoholic kick, make sure to try the Spicy Mango Cooler from Duddell’s! With mango, green tabasco, ginger ale and thai basil; it’ll leave you refreshed and with a spring in your step.
Duddell’s, Level 3 Shanghai Tang Mansion, 1 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.duddells.co