\u201cDry January\u201d has introduced a lot of Durhamites to the pleasures of mocktails. Holding off on the drink is certainly a noble cause, but what if you still want the bar experience? As the month winds down, I set out to find the best zero-proof cocktails \u2014 stand-alone drinks that either mimic iconic flavors, or speak for themselves. I found several that could hold their own into February and beyond.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
A Little Chile<\/i><\/b> – The Roof at The Durham<\/b><\/p>\n
Something so appealing about a good margarita is that citrusy-sweet burn. Without tequila, it’s hard to mimic that taste \u2014 unless you use another form of heat, as the Roof at The Durham Hotel\u2019s <\/span>A Little Chile<\/span><\/i> does.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
The elevator dropped me off at the hotel\u2019s bustling patio-style bar. I sat down at the bar with the sun on my back and ordered the bartender’s favorite mocktail.<\/span><\/p>\n
A<\/span><\/i> Little Chile<\/span><\/i> is almost a true margarita and looks like one, too. With no alcohol, the fresno and jalapeno act as a substitute. The heat isn\u2019t overpowering like you might find in a spicy margarita \u2014 just the perfect amount to balance out the lime. With added rosemary and coconut wate<\/span>r,<\/span> the flavors are mellowed and deepened. Of the drinks on this list, <\/span>A Little Chile<\/span><\/i> felt the most boozy, a good complement to the rooftop\u2019s finger-food menu and great views over the city.<\/span><\/p>\n
Earl Please<\/i><\/b> – Alley 26<\/b><\/p>\n
The Star Krimson <\/i><\/b>– Arcana<\/b><\/p>\n
I wandered onward, craving something a bit more dry to counter the sweet tea. That\u2019s when I found Arcana. Hidden behind West Main Street, this bar is meant for those who value the unbeaten path.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
After going down the stairs, I found the bartender,<\/span> Mika Murphy, preparing his chalkboard of announcements for upcoming live performances. I explained my mocktail mission, and soon enough a stylish drink, mystically called the <\/span>Star Krimson<\/span><\/i>, came across the bar.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
The drink took advantage of a mock Campari called Ghia, with bitter botanical notes but finished with a roundedness that the original doesn\u2019t have. The sweetness of the pear nectar balanced the drink subtly, without drowning out the herbal flavors.\u00a0 The strong botanical flavors might throw some off. Combining flavors like pear, sage, and bitter Ghia<\/span> is something I\u2019ve never experienced, but I loved every sip.<\/span><\/p>\n
She is the Moment<\/i><\/b> – The Velvet Hippo<\/b><\/p>\n
I was excited to climb the stairs to the Velvet Hippo Bar & Lounge. \u201cWhat can I get you?\u201d the bartender, Michael Gonzalez, said as he threw a towel over his shoulder. I asked for a recommendation and a gorgeous drink followed shortly after. The glass looked filled with liquified blackberry jam over ice. Mint sprigs and a dehydrated orange slice added bright colors to the drink. I couldn\u2019t wait to take a sip.<\/span><\/p>\n
What a treat. For those who love the sweet tartness of blackberries, <\/span>She is the Moment<\/span><\/i> is for you. The sour tang is balanced by the simple syrup. It\u2019s what you wanted cocktails to taste like as a kid: sweet and powerful. I got bits of ice after each sip, making it feel like a fancy ICEE.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
The tartness of the blackberries was a bit overwhelming at times. Also, I don\u2019t have much of a sweet tooth, and this drink is <\/span>sweet<\/span><\/i>. It\u2019s perfect for a dessert drink, though.<\/span><\/p>\n
New and old faces, his extensive whiskey collection, our reactions to the snow \u2014 conversation with Gonzalez came and went as I finished my drink. I left with my lips stained a bit purple.<\/span><\/p>\n
Blood Orange Margarita <\/i><\/b>– Kingfisher<\/b><\/p>\n
Tucked underneath Queeny’s on East Chapel Hill Street lies what truly feels like a speakeasy.\u00a0 Warm lighting bounces off the tiled basement bar. Low table lights add to the mystery. I felt like I needed a password to access some mafia bootlegger. Instead, I sat down and was greeted by the friendly smile of Robert Trimmer \u2014 a passionate bartender with a stylish beard.<\/span><\/p>\n
I asked him for his favorite mocktail, and he gave me the <\/span>Blood Orange Margarita<\/span><\/i>. It\u2019s a shaken mix of agave, blood orange juice, and lime, topped with lime zest. I feared it was just expensive juice, but I instead got a great, tangy blend of sweet and citrus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
I was curious about the lime zest. <\/span><\/p>\n
\u201cRetronasal activity,\u201d Trimmer said. I thought it was a college band he must have been in. He explained further, \u201cflavor and taste are different things.\u201d He told me how flavors change when you plug your nose. \u201cFlavor comes from breathing it in,\u201d I heard him say as I smelled the zest with each sip.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
The zest added a citrusy depth to the simple flavors underneath. It was tasty and smooth, and hearing about Trimmer\u2019s passion for the tasting experience was inspiring. It\u2019s fitting that he\u2019s a finalist for the <\/span>Vero Bartender 2025<\/span><\/a>, an annual bartender recipe competition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n