What is ‘mocktail’? Know where to have non-alcoholic drinks in SP

Often the target of jokes made by bohemian colleagues, those who don’t consume alcohol end up feeling like a fish out of water in bars and meetings with friends. The invitations always come with a beer, a gin, a wine.

But, more and more, some addresses are bringing alcohol-free options in their letters. There is even an English name for non-alcoholic drinks: “mocktail”, a combination of the words “mock” (imitation, mockery) and “cocktail” (cocktail). Yes, even the name carries a mockery of teetotalers.

In bars in New York and London, cities that set the pace of cocktail fashions, this has been a trend for some time. There are even houses entirely dedicated to “mocktails”, such as Getaway and Listen, in New York.

In recent years, drinks with no type of alcohol in the preparation have conquered a certain audience in São Paulo — ranging from health-conscious to religious. In the midst of a crisis in the sector, with several addresses closing their doors, bars and restaurants are increasing the options of the type to attract these customers.

“These drinks are distinguished by their more elaborate aesthetics, reminiscent of a cocktail, and also by the flavor profile, which has complexity, aromas, infusions and herbs”, explains Danilo Madeira, bartender at the vegetarian restaurant Quincho, in Vila Madalena.

The “mocktails” are not simple juices, teas or other options with fruits that exaggerate in sugar – they have a taste, flavor, aroma and texture that try to emulate alcoholic beverages. In recipes, they bet on carbonated water, juices, syrups, fruits, spices and other ingredients.

Eight years ago, when Madeira was still at the counter at the Tuju restaurant, he noticed a growing demand for non-alcoholic drinks, especially after the approval of the Prohibition Law in 2008. But nothing that made the menus of the houses change. When migrating to the vegetarian Quincho, in 2018, he felt that demand only increase.

“Vegetarians are demanding, not only in relation to the dish, but to everything they are consuming, giving importance to non-alcoholic drinks”, he says, who points to a change in behavior in relation to drinking, especially among young people. .

“There is an awareness that these drinks are healthier. This does not mean giving up alcohol, but diversifying.” But, of course, there is still a lot of resistance. “Even among bartenders, many believe that a drink without alcohol devalues ​​the cocktail,” he adds.

In addition to the public more connected to a healthy life and the religious, the “mocktails” can also seduce those who are driving or taking medication, for example.

When he went to bars and restaurants and noticed that the places did not offer non-alcoholic options, businessman André Berti, who does not drink for religious reasons, decided to open his own restaurant, only with non-alcoholic options, but with items that go beyond juices. and soft drinks. In 2012, Jazz Restô & Burgers appeared, in the Vila Mariana region, a reference among mocktails, beers and non-alcoholic wines.

Berti evaluates that this is a market that still has to grow. “Ten years ago, when I said I didn’t have alcohol, people would turn up their nose and leave,” he says. “Today, she asks what the options are.”

Another place offering options for teetotalers is SubAstor, a classic address for the São Paulo cocktail bar. There are two fixed “mocktails” on the menu. “We started to be careful to put in options for those who don’t drink or are driving,” says Alex Sepulchro, a bartender at the venue. “The famous driver of the round, who was previously restricted to juices or soft drinks, now has more options.”

But this is still a slow movement in Brazil, observes Sepulchro. “I think it’s going to take off in the next three or four years.”

If you were also curious to try the mocktails or don’t want to wake up with a hangover the next day, the list below selects ten addresses in São Paulo that serve drinks where alcohol is not needed.

Astor

In the traditional chic bar, there are “virgin” versions of the bloody mary, made only with seasoned tomato juice, and the mojito, which here has lime, simple syrup, mint and club soda – they cost R$16 and R$14, respectively. Among the signature non-alcoholic drinks, the highlight is the London Highball (R$22), prepared with clarified cucumber juice, elderflower and tonic water.
R. Delfina, 163, Vila Madalena, tel. (11) 3815-1364

Jazz Restô & Burgers

Non-alcoholic drinks are the specialty of the house, which has a 100% abstemious menu — there are drinks, beers and wines, all without any trace of alcohol. The cocktails invest in fruits, syrups, coconut milk, and there are abstemious reinterpretations of classics such as mojito, piña colada and caipirinhas, in addition to signatures such as Rouge, prepared with macerated strawberries, strawberry juice, pomegranate and cranberry syrups, in addition to of lemon and ice.
R. Vergueiro, 2080, Vila Mariana, south region, WhatsApp (11) 95179-5289.

Like Bar

The menu section dedicated to “mocktails” lists four options, among them the Mango Bigu. The drink costs R$22 and is prepared with mango puree, lemon, raspberry syrup and ginger foam on top.
R. Bela Cintra, 1551, Cerqueira César, west region, tel. (11) 3081-8358. Delivery by iFood and megustabar.voceqpad.com.br

Martin Bar

Of the non-alcoholic drinks prepared at the bar, which cost R$14.90 each, the highlight is Ninno, a recipe that combines lemon juice, soda, ice and strawberry pieces.
R. Apucarana, 1490, Tatuapé, east region, tel. (11) 3596-2466. Delivery via iFood, phone and WhatsApp (11) 97638-7574

Miss Saigon

The Vietnamese cuisine restaurant has Da Nang as a mocktail suggestion, prepared with Sicilian lemon juice, pink lemonade tonic, grapefruit, juniper and rosemary leaves, which add aroma to the recipe. Signed by bartender Estela Nakanishi, it costs R$32.
R. Mourato Coelho, 1223, Pinheiros, west region, tel. (11) 4564-1419 and (11) 94116-0521. Delivery via iFood​

Mobi Burger

To accompany the hamburgers, the menu features six options of non-alcoholic drinks for R$12 each. Among them, there is the well-known pink lemonade –pink lemonade that mixes lemon and cranberry juices– and Red Mint, a recipe with homemade red fruit jam, sparkling water and mint.
R. Prof. Lourival Gomes Machado, 254, Santana, northern region, tel. (11) 2959-5508. Delivery via iFood e telefone

pirajá

At this bar, which has a carioca soul and seven units throughout São Paulo, one of the non-alcoholic cocktails is Alvorada Lá no Morro. In reference to Cartola’s samba, the drink costs R$29 and is made with tonic water with lychee, blackberry and basil leaves to finish.
Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 64, Pinheiros, west region, tel. (11) 3815-6881. Delivery via iFood and Rappi

Quincho

The house offers different options of non-alcoholic drinks, designed to accompany vegetarian dishes, a specialty of the kitchen. Bartender Danilo Madeira prepares cocktails like the Cajueiro (R$18), which includes cajuína – a drink made from cashew juice –, violet syrup, orange blossom and mint leaves. Another highlight is the Airela (R$ 16), made with pomegranate, cranberry juice and basil.
R. Mourato Coelho, 1447, Vila Madalena, west region, tel. (11) 3815-8774. Delivery via iFood (Quinchito) or deliveryapp.neemo.com.br/delivery/8704/menu

Santana Bar

Among the non-alcoholic signatures prepared by bartender Gabriel Santana, Mokito is served with lemon, acacia honey, basil, pink pepper and tonic. It costs BRL 18.
R. Joaquim Antunes, 1026, Pinheiros, west region. Instagram @_santanabar

So so

The only Brazilian bar to feature on last year’s list of the 100 best bars in the world has alcohol-free representatives on the menu, signed by mixologist Alex Mesquita. One of the suggestions is the Cordial Soda (R$19), which combines pineapple and cinnamon or tangerine and basil.
R. Fradique Coutinho, 153, Pinheiros, west region, tel. (11) 2373-3587. Delivery via Rappi