In an ever-changing social landscape, Austin adapts to the trends: Zero-proof cocktails
By Chandler Maloney
Mocktails are becoming the quintessential summer drink as Austin adapts to a growing trend among young adults who are increasingly sober-curious. This vibrant, health-conscious city, known for its yoga in the park, competitive running clubs and invigorating Barton Springs cold plunges, is embracing activities that promote wellness and inclusivity without alcohol.
“People are seeking ways to socialize without the negative effects of alcohol,” says Valentina Weatherspoon, Bar Manager at Sans Bar.
Sans Bar is known to be the first sober bar in Texas. As an expert mixologist, Weatherspoon consults with bars locally and nationally on crafting the perfect mocktail and fostering an inclusive social culture.
Austin is constantly evolving to accommodate the demands of the growing population of health-conscious Gen Z and millennials moving to the city. These changes are evident through new Rainey Street highrise apartments, viral pickleball tournaments and mocktails on nearly every summer drink menu.
“Austin has always been at the forefront of health and wellness, and the younger generations are drinking less and less,” Weatherspoon says.
According to a Gallup research poll, about 10% of adults under 35 say they don’t drink, compared to two decades ago. This shift means that socializing no longer requires sacrificing a clear head for the next day. Mocktails enable young adults to enjoy a social lifestyle without the negative health impacts of alcohol.
The declining rates of alcohol consumption is redefining the city’s bar landscape, forcing bars to reimagine their drink menu to appeal to customers’ booze-free preferences.
At Vinaigrette in South Austin, you can enjoy a classic menu of virgin tinctures and tonics, from refreshing cucumber lime soda to spicy cayenne lemon water. For a more sophisticated experience, Roosevelt Room downtown offers mocktails ranging from beach-worthy refreshers to high-class nonalcoholic negronis. Over in East Austin, Easy Tiger’s outdoor brewery provides a great spot for savoring a cold nonalcoholic beer on a hot summer day. Last but not least, Yard Bar in North Austin offers sparkling citrus mocktails and a place to relax with furry friends on their outdoor patio.
Creating a stellar mocktail involves more than just mixing ingredients; it’s an art form that balances flavors, presentation, and setting. With over a decade of experience, Weatherspoon has perfected this craft.
“I look at classic cocktails and see how they can be reimagined with non-alcoholic ingredients,” she explains.
Inspired by popular cocktails, specifically those with a whiskey sour variation, Weatherspoon shows that any classic drink can be transformed into a delightful nonalcoholic beverage with the right ingredients, stylish glassware and creative garnishes.
Common cocktails that can be easily redesigned as mocktails include a spicy margarita, a refreshing mojito, or a robust espresso martini. Weatherspoon believes, “everyone loves a beautiful drink, whether it has alcohol or not.”
The mocktail trend is gaining momentum in Austin and shows no signs of fading.
“Offering interesting options that mimic the experience of adult beverages is crucial,” Weatherspoon says. “There are now more spirit-forward alcohol-free cocktails and unique flavors than ever before.”
This expanding mocktail scene allows younger generations to engage with the city’s culture and social life without the pressures of alcohol. As interest in sober living grows, Austin’s bars and restaurants will continue to innovate and expand their mocktail offerings to keep pace with the evolving social landscape of a thriving, vibrant city.
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