Guides / Dishes & Drinks

Embrace a "Wettish" Winter with Toronto’s Best Low-ABV and Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Christine Peddie

11 months ago

Embrace a "Wettish" Winter with Toronto’s Best Low-ABV and Non-Alcoholic Beverages

No matter what you call it — dry, damp, soggy, moist, or lightly lubricated — if you’re joining the throngs consuming less alcohol this winter, you have more options to enjoy than ever. Stay in, or go out, and you’ll find an abundance of low- and no-ABV beverages that feel as rousing as their boozy brethren. Crafted for adult tastes, featuring intriguing flavours, styles, and formulas that feel shockingly close to the real thing, these drinks promise to impress. Best of all? They also guarantee an experience that will leave you as bouncy and bright-eyed as the most fervent teetotaler. Hoping to grab 2023 firmly with both hands and a clear head? Look to some of Toronto’s best low- and no-ABV drinks to fuel the ride.

90 Portland Street

VELA

If you've ever thought that giving up alcohol will rob you of the fun of adult life, look to VELA to set you straight. A place where sophistication reigns, candlelight glimmers, and the food always wows, it's also a place where placebo cocktails are every bit as complex and nuanced as the rest of the menu. Reserve a table and bask in VELA's aura, one alcohol-free sip at a time.

1378 Queen St W

The Shameful Tiki Room

Best known for its colourful assortment of spirit-forward bevvies, The Shameful Tiki Room also has Island-inspired sippers for those who haven't fallen off the wagon. Every bit as intriguing as the restaurant's other offerings, these exciting non-alcoholic options will transport you to the tropics just as quickly, with a lot less turbulence on the way.

874 Queen St W

Mother Cocktail Bar

Just because the holidays are over doesn't mean you can't have a little fun. At Mother, the expert team never ceases to amaze with whimsical, flavourful creations. Take yourself somewhere nice and drink something sophisticated. New year, new you? Amen.

394 King St E

Henrietta Lane

Warm and welcoming, Henrietta Lane is exactly the type of spot you'll want to hide in as January rolls by. Sample the entirety of the Teetotallers menu as you plan for the year ahead. With your mind laser-focused on the task at hand, you just might manifest your greatest year yet.

878 Bloor St W

Civil Liberties

A place that turns your preferences into your perfect pour, Civil Liberties prides itself on making your (drink) dreams come true. Tell the team what you like and, in minutes, you'll be quaffing something distinctive and delicious. If you long to feel catered to, few places make your experience as personal as Civil Liberties.

550 Wellington St W

Casa Madera

With a menu boasting a number of low-ABV and zero-proof cocktails alongside their fortified counterparts, there's something for every resolution at Casa Madera. Made with Seedlip Grove, coconut water, blue spirulina, and spiced demerara, La Fuente evokes a coastal getaway without the hassle of air travel.

Søbrii

Set yourself up for success by stocking up on Søbrii's fine distilled non-alcoholic spirits. Crafted in Stratford, Ontario, each locally-made product is a fundamental addition to any inclusive home bar. Order a selection, and in no time, you'll be whipping up no-jitos, and sipping on non-alcoholic spritzers, without sparing a thought to keeping count.

Grüvi

Make every moment groovier with Grüvi's comprehensive line of non-alcoholic beer and wine. From celebratory bottles of bubbly to the first alcohol-free nitro beer on the market, Grüvi's array of products fit in whether you're prepping for a party or toasting to Tuesday night. Shop online or find Grüvi products at some top Toronto retailers, including Fiesta Farms, Summerhill Market, and more.

Drink Proxies

With a catalogue of options crafted from wine grapes, fruit, tea, spices and complex ferments, Drink Proxies offers elevated sips, sans alcohol. Designed to pair with fine cuisine, you'll want these on hand when weekends and dinner parties tempt your resolve. Plus, with free shipping to Canada, you can stock up on your favourites any time they're running low.

Clearsips

A family-run business with a focus on sourcing the world's most sophisticated alcohol-free beverages, Clearsips has something for anyone looking to give hooch the boot this season. Offering spirits and pre-mixed drinks, wine and beer from top alcohol-free and low-ABV producers, Clearsips has plenty to peruse on its website. Opt for the Dry January Starter Kit and keep things interesting all winter long.