Zero-proof cocktails on Charlotte-area restaurant menus for Dry January

Melissa Oyler
·5 min read

Taking the month off from booze?

Dry January began in 2013 by a British-based group named Alcohol Change UK, CharlotteFive previously reported.

In 2023, 15% of U.S. adults — over 260 million Americans — pledged to a Dry January, Time magazine reported. That number includes many in Charlotte, C5 has reported.

The Alcohol Change UK website now has a free Try Dry app that also serves as a “total body reset” focusing on on better sleep, mental health and saving money and time as part of its Dry January challenge.

And here at home, Charlotte-area restaurants are offering alcohol-free cocktails during Dry January to help you with your journey. Want to make a whole event out of it? Funny Bus even has two special “Sober at 6:00” shows this January.

Check out details below:

Billy Sunday

Location: 1115 N Brevard St UNIT 1, Charlotte, NC 28206

During January, Billy Sunday will host a Mocktail Happy Hour Monday through Thursday from 5-7 p.m., serving half-priced mocktails.

Billy Sunday’s Don’t Forget About Me mocktail has Zero proof vodka, apple cider syrup, apple cider and heavy cream.
Billy Sunday’s Don’t Forget About Me mocktail has Zero proof vodka, apple cider syrup, apple cider and heavy cream.

Funny Bus

Location: 301 E. 7th St, Charlotte

Comedian and sobriety coach Roxanne McDonald will host two special Dry January tours on the Funny Bus. “Sober at 6:00” will be held on Jan. 10 and 24. Jokes are Rated R at the tour tailored for locals with a “light history focus.” Tickets are $35.

[FUNNY TOUR OF CHARLOTTE: I witnessed the drunken tour of Charlotte’s history. It was as wild as you would expect.]

The Funny Bus picks up and drops off at First Ward Park.
The Funny Bus picks up and drops off at First Ward Park.

Little Mama’s and Mama Ricotta’s

Location: 4521 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211

Location: 601 S Kings Dr AA, Charlotte, NC 28204

Both Little Mama’s and Mama Ricotta’s have zero-proof cocktails on their menus, including:

  • N/A Petalo Rosso: Seedlip Garden, Blood Orange Pellegrino, turbinado sugar, soda water, topped with an orange slice.

  • N/A Espresso Martini: Seedlip Spice, cold brew concentrate, turbinado syrup, garnished with coffee beans.

  • N/A Fiamma Rosa: Seedlip Spice, turbinado syrup, lemon juice, Grapefruit Pellegrino, garnished with dried lemon and star anise.

[NOT FOR EVERYONE: Charlotte, you can have your Dry January. Here’s why I don’t participate.]

The Matador

Location: 1215 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203

Starting Jan. 8, The Matador will offer some non-alcoholic cocktails:

  • Scratch Margarita: This drink is a spin on Matador’s house margarita. It’s made with Lyre’s Agave Blanco and Lyre’s Orange Sec, plus fresh citrus notes from lime and orange, with a dash of agave.

  • Pomegranate Mule: This cocktail features Lyre’s non-alcoholic tequila mixed with a rich, fruity + lightly spicy chili-pomegranate syrup, plenty of fresh lime, and house-made ginger-orange syrup — served in the classic copper mug.

  • Cucumber Paloma: Lyre’s Agave Blanco blends with grapefruit soda for a refreshing drink that has a light sweetness and crisp effervescence. It’s mixed with fresh cucumber and Lyre’s Orange Sec to complement and intensify the citrus notes.

The Matador’s non-alcoholic Scratch Margarita is made with Lyre’s Agave Blanco and Lyre’s Orange Sec, plus fresh citrus notes from lime and orange, with a dash of agave.
The Matador’s non-alcoholic Scratch Margarita is made with Lyre’s Agave Blanco and Lyre’s Orange Sec, plus fresh citrus notes from lime and orange, with a dash of agave.

Merchant and Trade

Location: 303 S Church St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Merchant & Trade has several zero-proof cocktails on its menu in January, including:

Signature Zero-Proof Cocktails:

  • Endless Vacation: Lyre’s Italian Spritz topped with Fever Tree Blood Orange Ginger Beer, finished with expressed orange peel. Served over ice. $14

  • Figment: Lyre’s American Malt shaken with fig grenadine syrup, fresh lemon, and egg white. Served over a large cube. $14

  • Flowers, Honey, Legal Advice: Seedlip Grove 42 shaken with fresh lemon and wildflower honey, finished with Fever Tree Premium Soda. $13

Zero-Proof Versions of House Cocktails:

  • Rosemary’s Baby Zero Proof: Lyre’s Dry London Spirit shaken with Lyre’s Italian Spritz, fresh lemon, grapefruit, and rosemary syrup. Served over ice. $14

  • S’morning After Zero Proof: Lyre’s American Malt shaken with graham cracker syrup, topped with hot chocolate, and finished with toasted marshmallows. Served hot. $14

Classic Cocktails without the alcohol:

  • Old Fashioned. $13

  • Espresso Martini. $13

  • Martini/Dirty Martini. $14

  • Margarita. $13

Non-Alcoholic Beers:

  • Upside Dawn Golden Ale. $8

  • Run Wild IPA. $8

Paco’s Tacos & Tequila

Location: 6401 Carnegie Blvd #8a, Charlotte, NC 28211

Paco’s Tacos & Tequila has a few alcohol-free cocktails on its menu:

  • Smoke Screen: Cut Above Zero Proof Mezcal, lemon juice, agave nectar.

  • Nada Paloma: Cut Above Zero Proof Agave Blanco, grapefruit juice, lime juice, agave nectar and Topo Chico.

  • Queen City Fruit Punch: orange juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice, desert pear syrup, grenadine, Topo Chico.

During Dry January, Paco’s Tacos & Tequila has a few alcohol-free cocktails on its menu.
During Dry January, Paco’s Tacos & Tequila has a few alcohol-free cocktails on its menu.

Roots Cafe

Location: 2135 Southend Dr #109, Charlotte, NC 28203

Roots Cafe has a couple of morning spirit-free drinks to kick off the day:

  • Chai New Fashioned: mayan chai, lemon, vanilla, angostura, soda.

  • Green Orchard: spiced green apple, honey, lemon, soda, shimmer.

In the evening, during the cafe’s after-hours on Thursday and Friday between 5-10 p.m., you can order a custom non-alcoholic cocktail. Choose a flavor profile:

  • Spicy, fruity, tropical.

  • Coffee, bitter, citrus, ginger.

  • Ginger, grapefruit, bitter.

  • Pumpkin, zesty, ginger, fresh.

  • Rose, fruity, floral, creamy.

  • Apple, fresh, bubbly, spiced.

  • Chai, citrus, spiced, cinnamon.

Spindle Bar

Location: 1115 N Brevard St, Charlotte, NC 28206

Spindle Bar will serve up a few alcohol-free cocktails in January, including:

  • Flower Child: Elderflower, Grapefruit, Verjus

  • Ring Toss: peach, Fresh Orange Juice, Lime, House-Made Ginger Beer

  • Maleficent Fairy: Passion Fruit, Thai Chilis

  • Margarita

Spindle Bar serves up spirit-free cocktails.
Spindle Bar serves up spirit-free cocktails.

Superica

Location: 101 W Worthington Ave #100, Charlotte, NC 28203

Location: 4223 Providence Rd Suite D, Charlotte, NC 28211

Superica has a lineup of non-alcoholic beverage that the restaurant will be serving all month long:

  • Ginger no-jito: Lyre’s white cane spirit, spicy ginger syrup, fresh mint, lime

  • All flower, no power: N/A Hibiscus Margarita, with Lyre’s agave spirit, Lyre’s orange sec, fresh

  • lime, hibiscus-morita syrup

  • Matador, no bull: Lyre’s agave spirit, pineapple juice, fresh lime, cilantro, jalapeño, served up

  • No-mosa classic or fresca: Lyre’s sparkling with agua fresca or fresh OJ (brunch only)

  • Vampire weeknight: Lyre’s dark cane spirit with horchata

  • Chela-nada: N/A beer over ice with fresh lime juice & salt

  • Michela-nada: N/A beer over ice with bloody mary mix & chile salt

Twin Peaks

Location: 992 Cabelas Dr, Fort Mill, SC 29708

Location: 8601 Concord Mills Boulevard, Concord, NC 28027

All month long for Dry January, Twin Peaks restaurant is serving alcohol-free Heineken 0.0. Prices vary between $3.50–$6.

During Dry January, Twin Peaks restaurant is serving alcohol-free Heineken 0.0.
During Dry January, Twin Peaks restaurant is serving alcohol-free Heineken 0.0.

[BOOKSTORE GUIDE: 26 independent bookstores in the Charlotte area where you can get lost in the pages.]

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