Sip on inventive mocktails from these Victoria bars

As we enter the second half of January, we’re feeling the challenge of sticking to our new year resolutions, especially when out for food or drinks with friends. If you’re partaking in Dry January, then we’re here to help motivate you and keep this month exciting with our roundup of the most innovative mocktails being stirred, mixed, and shaken across the city.  

Who knows, maybe these mocktails will inspire you to extend Dry January into February!  

Q At The Empress

Q At The Empress has an entire Lumette menu available for those wanting to skip alcohol. Lumette is an Island-distilled non-alcoholic take on a botanical spirit. Highlights on the menu include Midnight Rain— a rich mocktail made with pomegranate, coconut cream, lime, and mint— as well as its Butterfly Sour, a colourful take on a classic sour made using butterfly pea flower infused Lumette. 

Address: 721 Government St, Victoria 

Hours: Monday-Sunday, 11:30am-9:30pm

Clive’s Classic Lounge

Clive's Classic Lounge, the award-winning bar in Chateau Victoria Hotel, is known for making quality cocktails and it pays equal attention to its mocktails. Its menu includes a reimagining of some cocktails classics like its Nogroni—made with Undone’s not gin, red aperitif, and rosso—and its Amaretto Sour of Sorts, made with Free Spirits bourbon and Lyre's amaretti.    

Address: 740 Burdett Ave, Victoria

Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 5-11pm; Friday and Saturday, 5pm-midnight

Citrus & Cane

Tropical cocktail bar Citrus & Cane has a separate mocktail menu available for those wanting to enjoy its fruity drinks and cozy atmosphere without drinking alcohol. Its Tall, Dark & Minty is a blackberry mango mocktail made with HP agave tequila, ginger, and lemon. Its Like a Lotus is the bar’s non-alcoholic take on its Sleeping Lotus cocktail, made instead with HP juniper gin and orgeat. Alternatively, try its Chocolate Covered Jujubes mocktail inspired by the classic candy and made with non-alcoholic bourbon, pineapple, and orange.        

Address: 1900 Douglas St, Victoria

Hours: Sunday and Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 6-11pm; Friday and Saturday, 5-11pm

Bray’s

Next to Johnston Street Bridge, Bray's has a selection of unique non-alcoholic cocktails available. Its Careful Caribbean is made using Lumette's lumrum, an alcohol-free golden rum, as well as Rootside’s ginger beer concentrate, pineapple, and jalapeño syrup. For a fruitier option, try its Berry Thyme Elixir—made with Lumette’s London dry gin, blueberry thyme reduction, and ginger syrup.     

Address: 460 Pandora Ave, Victoria

Hours: Monday-Sunday, 2-11pm

Boom + Batten

Boom + Batten has a mocktail menu complete with non-alcoholic versions of classic cocktails. Its Piña Para La Niña is a pina colada made with Lumette lumrum, coconut cream, pineapple, and star anise. It also has an Espresso Notini, a take on an espresso martini made with Lyre's non-alcoholic coffee liqueur, espresso, and vanilla.  

Address: 2 Paul Kane Pl, Victoria

Hours: Monday-Friday, 11am-9:30pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am-10pm

Wind Cries Mary

Several of Wind Cries Mary’s cocktails can be made without alcohol, allowing those skipping spirits to be able to take part in the restaurant’s innovative drink menu. Its Welcome to the Jungle features bitter orange, hibiscus, blueberry, and sunflower, while its Hidden Gem is made with huckleberry, vanilla, and citrus. Alternatively, try its The Apiary—made with caramelized honey, citrus, beeswax, and pansies. 

Address: 45 Bastion Square, Victoria

Hours: Monday-Sunday, 4pm-1am

Aura Waterfront Restaurant + Patio

Aura Waterfront Restaurant + Patio has a non-alcoholic menu that features mocktails made with alcohol-free wines. Its Bright Lit Pear is made with Zero Lush’s white wine, Lumette bright light, and bartlett pear puree. Its Spiced Kalimotxo features Zero Lush’s red wine as well as Lumette lumrum and pepsi.

Address: 680 Montreal St, Victoria 

Hours: Monday-Friday, 7-11am, 3-9:30pm; Saturday and Sunday, 7am-1:30pm, 3-9:30pm

The Courtney Room

The Courtney Room has mocktail versions of some of its inventive cocktails. Its Spruce Juice is made with Stag's Hollow’s verjus and locally foraged spruce tip syrup. Alternatively try its Bitter Sweet—made with spiced grape, kiwi, sumac, and Rootside tonic—or its Elixir, made with housemade ginger and juniper elixir, white pepper syrup, and sesame oil.  

Address: 619 Courtney St, Victoria

Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 7am-9pm; Friday and Saturday, 7am-10pm

Zambri’s

Italian restaurant Zambri's has a selection of delicious non-alcoholic drinks including Crimson Potion—made with ginger beer and hibiscus syrup, and complete with Lumette lumrum. Alternatively, try its Rose 75, a mocktail version of the classic champagne cocktail made with rose syrup.   

Address: 820 Yates St, Victoria

Hours: Tuesday, 5-9pm; Wednesday and Thursday, 11:30am-2:30pm, 5-9pm; Friday, 11:30am-2:30pm, 5-10pm; Saturday, 5-10pm