Let's face it: sometimes you just don't feel like drinking. Maybe you're the designated driver, or hanging out with a pregnant friend who misses her mojitos, or you just don't do booze. Between the cocktail renaissance and the booming craft beer scene, Toronto isn't always the easiest place to be teetotal. Lucky for you, these amazing mocktails would do your high school DARE officer proud.
Lavender: the key to making any cocktail 200% classier. This elegant booze-free lemonade at Colette Grand Café combines equal parts lemon juice and lavender syrup (topped off with soda for an extra hit of refreshment). The result? A perfectly balanced summer sipper. If you order it on their Parisian style patio, you just might forget you're in the Six... Hot tip: Colette does a brilliant brunch on Saturdays, and if you order this alongside their lemon and ricotta pancakes (served with blueberries and chantilly), you won't even miss the mimosas.
Did someone say patio season? With Carmen's secret spot out back open for summer, fiesta season has officially arrived in Trinity Bellwoods. As usual, they're serving up traditional Spanish flavours (think seriously share-worthy tapas and paellas) that call for something fresh and fruity in your glass. Skip the sangria and try the Pom Duras Nito, a sweet-meets-sour concoction that combines the flavours of peach and pomegranate. Soda and fresh mint add a refreshing kick. The best part? It's totally booze-free, so when you find your glass empties a little too quickly, you won't need to think twice about ordering a second... and a third.
The combination of pear juice, cinnamon syrup, ginger beer and rosemary might sound a little Christmassy, but in the wonderful world of Daniel Boulud, they come together in a summer-inspired mocktail called Life's a Beach. This suave sipper is served in d|bar at the Four Seasons in Yorkville, but you can also order it upstairs at Cafe Boulud as a booze-free aperitif. (Let's be honest: sometimes cocktail hour isn't the most wallet-friendly way to kick off a fancy meal.) If you're teetotal, start with this one and work your way through the mocktail list as the night goes on. Boulud is known for great alcohol-free offerings, and each is as good as the last.
It should come as no surprise that The Drake's booze-free bevvies are just as beloved as their cocktails. (When you're partying here, no one gets left behind.) The Wanderlust is one of the mocktails currently on offer, and while you can add your favourite spirit—vodka, gin or tequila—there's really no need. This virgin cocktail is all about summer flavours: muddled cucumber, mint raspberry, lemon and seltzer water. Kind of like a Pimm's cup, minus the Pimm's. Just what the doctor ordered for rooftop revelry.
A night out along King West—and no hangover the next day? Heck yeah. Kick things off with a Dante's Detox at Luma, Oliver and Bonacini's slick resto-bar at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. It's a lip-smacking combination of pineapple and lime juice, shaken over ice with a few jalapeno wheels. (Don't worry, they thoroughly de-seed the chilis so the heat won't smack you in the face.) A final splash of ginger beer adds a little more tongue-tingling spice. If your usual drink of choice is on the sour side, you'll love this non-alcoholic option.
Situated right in the thick of Sherway Gardens, it was important for Beaumont Kitchen to develop some non-alcoholic offerings on their menu (because we all know shopping after drinking is never a good idea). Their Tangerine Tonic is a fresh hit of tangerine, agave syrup, lime juice and tonic water garnished with mint sprigs. Paired with their brunch menu, it's the perfect fuel needed before heading out to do some damage in the mall.
