9 Months of Mocktails

Pregnancy involves almost a year of not drinking, but even if you’re not pregnant, there are some times when you just want to give your liver a break! So how does a girl about town navigate all the various social engagements without resigning herself to a couch for 9 months? Enter the Mocktail and all the LA hotspots where the often $15 price tag is worth it if only to feel like an adult again for a few minutes.

*This piece contains one affiliate link – if you’d like to make some mocktails at home.

Fishing with Dynamite (Manhattan Beach)

The Virgin Mary became my favorite go-to mocktail because, unfortunately, there is no mock version of a dirty martini to date other than the one I’m making in my own kitchen with Ritual Spirits. So if you’re in the mood for something savory, then this is the next best thing! Fishing with Dynamite in Manhattan Beach does it just right, finding the perfect balance between tomato juice and the accouterments! The spicier the better!

A.O.C. (West 3rd)

One of the newer cocktails on the A.O.C. menu for 2023 also happens to be available as a mocktail! The Green Goddess features green tea-infused Vodka, cucumber, arugula, jalapeño, and absinthe rinse. Not sure how they sub out the absinthe, but it’s pretty magical.

Scarpetta (Las Vegas)

Keep your eyes on the right side of the photo :), somehow a scotch got in the way. Hats off to Scarpetta for a very delicious version of their Ferrari, usually made with Don Julio silver, Cointreau, blood orange juice, and jalapeño. This version has just as much tang as the original, just a little less vroom.

IdleHour (North Hollywood)

North Hollywood’s bootlegger bar version of a Margarita. Here the teeny prohibition-style cups are most appreciated when you aren’t paying the full cocktail price tag.

Ray’s & Stark Bar (LACMA – Midcity)

Summer’s Comin’ Smash is one of the more intricate mocktails out there because of the care that goes into the preparation. It features muddled blackberries, housemade pineapple syrup, and a dash of pecan bitters to substitute for rum.

Asterid (Downtown Los Angeles)

Asterid, by Chef Ray Garcia, is the perfect place to get a pre-concert bite before seeing the L.A. Phil. They actually have a whole menu of Zero Proof Spirits which include a delectable Coconut Milk Punch and even a French Bloom Le Blanc Sparkling Wine with no alcohol at all.

Craft (Century City)

Visit Tom Colicchio’s Craft in Century City for stellar Steaks, Pasta, and Mocktails like The Geffen and The Wiltern, which take advantage of the magic of Butterfly Tea and Ginger Beer.

Ardor (West Hollywood)

Ardor at the 1 Hotel West Hollywood from Chef John Frasier, offers Michelin-starred dining and a very “colorful” non-alcoholic menu. Choose between Yellow, Rose, and Citrine, which is my personal favorite made with Lyre’s Agave Reserva, yuzu, and vanilla cardamom.

Pump (West Hollywood)

Lisa Vanderpump’s sexy West Hollywood hot spot is the last place you want to see a pregnant lady waiting to pop, and their mocktails reflect this sentiment. The mock version of the Pump-Tini was most likely nothing more than cranberry juice, while the original features Vodka, Pavan Liquor, grapefruit juice, lime, and muddled raspberries. Although I was grateful for the fancy glass and the sugar rim, the $10 price tag during happy hour is perhaps what sent me into early labor…

This spot might not be “pumping” much longer. So get there soon if you wanna try.