Drinks on the menu at Xuxu can be made into booze-free variations. Photo / Babiche Martens
Drinks on the menu at Xuxu can be made into booze-free variations. Photo / Babiche Martens
So you've decided to go Dry for July. Well done. Next question is what are you going to drink when you go out? It won't be long till you tire of Coke, orange juice and lime and bitters.
One option is to visit the brand new TAP bar on K-road, New Zealand's first dry bar which opens this weekend. It's aimed at party-goers who don't want to go home at 4am and there's not a whiff of alcohol to be seen.
However, if you're looking for other hot spots, here are some places with interesting non-alcoholic as well as alcoholic drinks (especially if your friends aren't abstaining).
The Golden Dawn in Ponsonby has three gorgeous non-alcoholic cocktails on their list with names like Juniper Jones, Arabian nights and Apia Sunrise - how can you possibly resist? They also carry a zero alcohol beer range and are happy to make up other mocktails for you if you fancy a certain flavour.
The Golden Dawn, 134 Ponsonby Rd.
Woodpecker Hill
Woodpecker Hill in Parnell boasts one of the most extensive non-alcoholic selections in town including a lassi, an old fashioned lemonade (weekends only) and a house-made white coke, spicy ginger beer and pineapple soda. They make a lot of their drinks on site but also stock the Fentimans Botanically Brewed range with pretty flavours like Rose Lemonade.
Woodpecker Hill, 196 Parnell Rd, Parnell
Woodpecker Hill. Photo / Doug Sherring
Monsoon Poon
If you fancy an Asian twist, rock up to lovely Monsoon Poon and choose a mocktail from the "On the Rickshaw menu". They also do Feijoa Nectar, Guava Nectar and coconut water alongside the usual soft drinks and juices. Nice.
Monsoon Poon, Downtown Carpark Ground Floor, 11-27 Customs St
Monsoon Poon. Photo / Chris Skelton
Bedford Soda and Liquor
You are covered no matter what your mood (or the temperature) here. Sodas, iced teas, frappes and shakes are all made on site and the flavour combinations are delicious. If you're feeling a bit chilly, there's a good range of hot drinks too, including Hot Fruit Waters like Lemon Ginger Honey and Honey Blackcurrant.
Xuxu, in the Britomart area has a non-alcoholic Passionfruit Mojito, Mango Cooler and Grapefruit Punch on their cocktail menu but are also happy to do a booze free variation on the alcoholic cocktails on their list if none of those take your fancy.
Xuxu Dumpling, Galway Street and Commerce Street, Britomart
Drinks on the menu at Xuxu can be made into booze-free variations. Photo / Babiche Martens
Mexico
Mexico have quite a few unique non-alcoholic offerings in their Ellerslie, Ponsonby, Britomart and Takapuna locations. They stock Jarrito Mexican Sodas and do a great range of Agua Frescas made from fresh fruit and sparkling water - citrus and ginger, pineapple and vanilla, coriander and lime and even beetroot. They also make a Horchata with rice milk, banana, cinnamon and coconut and you can even get yourself a virgin Margarita if you're feeling festive.
Mexico, 23 Britomart Place, Britomart; 4 The Strand, Takapuna; 164 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby; Corner Ladies Mile and Main Highway, Ellerslie
Ostro
If you fancy your teetotal beverage with a view, check out the house made sodas and non-alcoholic cocktails at Ostro. They also stock the Hopt sodas for a thirst quencher with a hint of hop flavour.
Enjoy your alcohol free beverage with a view at Ostro.
Photo / Babiche Martens.
Ostro, Tyler Street, Britomart
Grill and Shakes
If the idea of a milkshake appeals, go directly to Grill and Shakes in Kingsland. With 69 flavours including Lindt Chocolate Chilli, Salted Caramel, Shrewsbury, Pineapple Lump and Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, you will definitely find something you like. And if milk isn't your thing they do a good range of fountain sodas too.
Look for 'cleansers' on the Masu drinks list for three non-alcoholic flavour combinations you probably won't find anywhere else in Auckland. With ingredients like aloe vera juice, salted lychee, umeboshi and calpis soda these interesting drinks will make you forget there's no alcohol in them.
