Poll: Would you like to see bars offer more specialty non-alcoholic drinks?

Published Feb. 8, 2010 at 9:08 p.m.

I have been taking the roll of designated driver a lot lately and that experience, along with a recent article on The American Mixologist (Tapping into the Alcohol-Free Crowd), has made me realize the limited options available to the non-drinker in many bars. Sure, you can have soda, coffee, water, or your choice of juice, but what else is there in the way of non-alcoholic drinks? To find anything mixed with the creativity that alcohol drinks are and that is not a Shirley Temple or a Lime and Tonic is very difficult, though more bars are starting to take notice.

This seems to be one of the growing trends. Consumers who don't drink want to have a good time while out and want something different to drink. Wouldn't it be nice if bars had 2 or 3 classy mocktails or even a boutique soda option? In my recent experience I have been ordering mocktails - or creating them off the cuff - but I have to tell the bartender what I want, which I don't mind. Though when the bar is busy I often get the look of "You want me to do what? I have no time to mix something without booze and you're not going to tip me, are you?" For the average non-drinker this can be a bit more of a challenge and, as The American Mixologist article suggests, it would be nice for establishments to offer NAB options, tell us what they can do. Not only does this offer options to a niche clientele, but it encourages designated driver programs. And, to the tipping point: it is only right that whether a drink contain alcohol or not, the same tip should be applied. Happy non-drinkers are good tippers too.

If as much creativity were put into offering just a handful of quality NAB's that is put into cocktails, the bar experience would be much more enjoyable for those taking the responsible role. There are already many mixed drinks available for bars to throw into their menu, just look at two of the most recent NA cocktail books, Preggatinis and Zero-Proof Cocktails, and The Intoxicologist's collection of mocktails to accent some of the good-old standbys.

Tell me your experience...Do you wish there were more creative options for non-drinkers in bars? Do you know of a place that has a nice NAB menu? What is it like?

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