No Booze, No Problem

Where to Find the Best Mocktails in Seattle Southside

A well-made cocktail is so much more than a way to get buzzed. It's an opportunity to enjoy complex flavors and celebrate meaningful moments (even if the moment is just the end of a long workday). But when you're steering clear of alcohol, it can be hard to find drinks that don't seem like an afterthought. Sure, you could always order a plain soda, but where's the fun in that?

Luckily, more and more bars offer signature mocktails that feel elevated above the everyday. In Seattle Southside, you can find everything from tropical blended drinks to refreshing spritzes to smoky, earthy concoctions. Read on to learn where you can find the best mocktails in Seattle Southside.

Credit: @Sabrazaraa
Copperleaf Restaurant & Bar
13 Coins
JOEY Southcenter
Bahama Breeze
Sharps Roasthouse
Bartender serving a cocktail at a bar, Copperleaf Restaurant & Bar
Alaina Pruyne, Lead Bartender at Copperleaf Restaurant & Bar in Cedarbrook Lodge in SeaTac, Washington.

What Makes a Good Mocktail?

While there have always been virgin versions of classic cocktails, bartenders are experimenting with ever more concoctions that elevate the genre. Nowadays, you might see a section for "Zero Proof Drinks" on a bar menu rather than mocktails.

"When I see the word 'mocktail,' I think of an NA drink that’s trying to mimic an alcoholic beverage, like a Cosmo or margarita" says Alaina Pruyne, the lead bartender at Copperleaf Restaurant & Bar. "A zero-proof drink is something new and bold. You can play with the flavors, but you’re not necessarily trying to recreate a current classic or favorite."

In recent years, many premium NA spirits have cropped up that don't strive to emulate booze to a T, but rather, offer intriguing, unique flavors. Copperleaf's menu features quite a few of these new brands, such as Figlia, a nonalcoholic bittersweet aperitivo. "It has a lot of herbs, it’s a beautiful color, and it’s very complex and delicious," says Pruyne.

Other drinks, such as Italian Sodas and Horchatas, are inherently booze-free but get an upgrade when bars use fresh berries and house-made ingredients. However it's made, a good NA drink can make any occasion feel special.

The Blood Orange Thyme Shrub, a featured mocktail at Copperleaf Restaurant & Bar.

Copperleaf Restaurant & Bar

Copperleaf Restaurant & Bar, located inside Cedarbrook Lodge, is a tranquil retreat in the heart of Seattle Southside. The lodge sits on 30 acres of lush grounds, and the bar and restaurant menus showcase seasonal, locally sourced herbs and produce, some of which are gathered right from the on-site chef's garden. Given its commitment to quality, it's no surprise that the mocktail menu doesn't cut corners, with more than half a dozen specialty drinks featuring premium NA substitutes. Below are just a few highlights.

Featured Non-Alcoholic Beverages:

If you crave a good aperitivo...try the Pink Skies

This beverage features Figlia Fiore, an NA aperitivo that blends ginger, bitter citrus, and berry notes, with floral undertones of chamomile and rose. Combined with coconut syrup, pineapple juice, and lime, it's a refreshing drink day or night.

If you love citrus...try the Blood Orange Thyme Shrub

To make this clasically made shrub, blood orange, thyme, and sugar are blended and left to sit for several days. "It's really sweet, but then the apple cider vinegar cuts into the sweetness and gives it a nice, tart bite," says Puyne. "It's refreshing and complex."

If you want the perfect pairing with dessert...try the Horchata

The bar has a house-made, dairy-free take on Horchata, a sweet, creamy, spiced beverage popular in Latin America in Spain. Payne, the lead bartender, recommends enjoying it with the Midnight Cake, a decadent chocolate cake made with ganache and marshmallows.

If you want something bright and herbal...try the Grape Drop

This attractive purple drink features Wilderton Lustre, an herbal NA spirit with bright, citrusy flavors. "It plays well with a lot of juices and herbs to make those flavors pop, so you don’t miss that alcohol taste," says Puyne. House-made grape syrup and lemon juice round out the drink.

Mocktails at 13 Coins in SeaTac Washington: The Guava Nojito, Pink Rosita Spritz and Spiced Passionfruit Lemon Drop
Credit: 13 Coins

13 Coins

13 Coins Restaurant, a Seattle institution since 1967, is renowned for its timeless ambiance, featuring cozy high-back booths and an open kitchen. Located minutes from SEA airport, it's long been a go-to stop for locals and travelers. The bar offers a thoughtfully curated selection of "zero-proof" beverages made with premium non-alcoholic spirits that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Each of the below features a different flavor of Seedlip, a premium non-alcoholic spirit.

Featured Non-Alcoholic Beverages:

If you're a fan of mojitos...try the Guava Nojito
Enjoy all the minty freshness of a mojito with an extra layer of fruity sweetness and without the booze. It's made with Seedlip's "Garden" flavor, which blends traditional herbs like rosemary and thyme. A blend of guava puree, house-made sour mix, soda, Sprite, and mint result in a refreshing, satisfying flavor.

For the vibe of an Aperol spritz...try the Pink Rosita Spritz
This pretty, sophisticated spritz hits the spot when you want something light and effervescent. Made with Seedlip "Grove" NA spirit, prickly pear puree, Sprite, soda, and a house-made sour mix, it's as fun to look at as it is to drink.

If lemon is one of your favorite flavors...try the Spiced Passionfruit Lemon Drop
You've likely tried a lemon drop or lemonade, but this take is far more complex and layered. It centers Seedlip "Spice" NA spirit, which blends allspice and cardamom with fresh citrus top notes to balance the long bitter finish. Mixed with passion fruit puree, house-made sour mix, Sprite, cinnamon, and sugar, the result is warm and delicious.

The Stawberry Cool and She Pretty mocktails at Joey's Southcenter.

JOEY Southcenter

When you're looking for a sleek, stylish place to grab happy hour or unwind after shopping at Westfield Southcenter, JOEY Southcenter checks all the right boxes. The extensive drink menu features handcrafted cocktails and mocktails, all served in a lively, energetic setting. The bar is situated in the center of the dining area, so you feel right in the thick of things and get lots of natural light if you're there during the day. If you're hungry, you'll have no shortage of options, including sushi, steaks, seafood, and hearty, delicious salad bowls.

Featured Non-Alcoholic Beverages:

If you love a frothy finish...try the She Pretty
This elegant mocktail blends fresh raspberries with rose water, cane sugar, and lemon. It's topped with a silky, frothy foam made from egg whites, giving it a light, luxurious flavor. Served in a coup glass and garnished with a fresh raspberry, it feels worthy of ordering on a special occasion.

If you love matcha...try the Matcha Mojito
Matcha may be commonplace at cafes now, but it's not every day you can find it on a bar menu. This beverage combines the earthiness of matcha with the sweetness of cane syrup and the tang of lime. Soda and cooling mint finish it off, resulting in a crisp, revitalizing drink.

If you want something sweet and simple...try the Strawberry Cool
This pink, effervescent drink is like an Italian soda's cooler cousin, combining juicy strawberry and tart grapefruit with hints of peach, almond, and lemon.

Bahama Breeze

When you want to feel like you're on a tropical vacation, nowhere beats Bahama Breeze. This spacious bar and restaurant at Westfield Southcenter Mall has a huge menu of Caribbean-inspired dishes, such as jerk chicken and jerk mahi-mahi. On weekends, you can often catch live Caribbean or reggae music. The drink menu features colorful mocktails that'll have you feeling like you're thousands of miles away.

Featured Non-Alcoholic Beverages:

When you crave the vibe of a blended margarita...try the Virgin Bahamarita®
Bahama Breeze is famous for its signature Bahamarita®, a vibrant, colorful beverage made with layers of fresh kiwi, strawberry, and mango ices. With the virgin version, you can enjoy all the flavors without the buzz.

If you can't get enough of your favorite fruit...try the Tropical Ices
Choose from mango, strawberry, and kiwi-melon for a refreshing, fruit-forward refreshment.

If you like piña coladas...try their Virgin Ultimate Piña Colada
What could be more fun and festive than sipping your drink from a freshly cut pineapple? This take on a booze-free piña colada features cream of coconut and strawberry ice swirl served in a beautiful piece of fruit.

Sharps Roasthouse

Inside Sharps Roasthouse, a family-owned restaurant near SEA Airport, is a distinguished bar renowned for having the largest collection of spirits in the city. Owner Merrisa Firnstahl-Claridge, whose father founded the restaurant in 1988, also runs the storied Von's 1000 and a distillery in Woodinville. Her commitment to exceptional craft cocktails extends to the mocktail menu, which features several specialty beverages.

Featured Non-Alcoholic Beverages:

If you're all about florals...try the Hibiscus Refresher
With vibrant hibiscus flowers and a dash of lemon, this drink is refreshing and zesty. If you haven't tried hibiscus, it has a bold, tangy, and slightly floral flavor profile.

On your next self-care day...try the Boysenberry Cucumber Spa Water
This bubbly drink evokes an upscale health spa. Made with crushed mint, lemon, cucumber, boysenberry, and soda, it'd be amazing after a workout or any time you need to feel a little pampered.

For a Moscow Mule with a tropical twist...try the Guava Mule
In this delightfully fizzy drink, the guava and lime are balanced by ginger beer, resulting in just the right blend of sweet, sour, and spice.

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