Mocktails are trending, during Dry January and beyond

It’s New Hampshire Mocktail Month, and eateries around the Lakes Region are in high spirits as they rise to the occasion, providing craft beverage creations without booze in honor of Dry January.

The New Hampshire Liquor Commission’s “Live Free & Host Responsibly” campaign kicked off this month, just in time for Mocktail Month. The goal is to encourage people participating in Dry January, or those seeking a more health-conscious lifestyle, to visit more than 40 participating restaurants, several of which are located around the Big Lake.

“NH Mocktail Month has been instrumental in educating consumers, as well as those in the service industry, about the responsible use of alcohol while still encouraging inclusion and fun,” said state Liquor Commission Chair Joseph Mollica in a press release. “Our commitment to responsibility is further reflected in our new non-alcoholic section featured in all our outlets. We are excited to offer a wide variety of alcohol-free products.”

In the City on the Lakes, bartenders at the Laconia Country Club are concocting a weekly mocktail special, said Food and Beverage Manager Trevor Fuller on Wednesday.

This week’s is Cuddles on the Beach, a play on the popular summertime favorite Sex on the Beach, which features cranberry and orange juice with a pop of peach syrup. It’s Fuller’s hope it provides a beach-like escape from the New England winter.

“Maybe it makes people feel like they’re on vacation.”

Fuller, in his fifth season at the club, has noticed a growing trend, saying mocktail sales, along with the purchase of alcohol-removed beers and wine, have skyrocketed since 2023.

“From 2023 to 2024, we grew our non-alcoholic beer sales by 200%,” he said, adding it jumped another 50% from 2024 to 2025, proving mocktail demand is growing.

And if guests see drink inspiration from somewhere other than the club, Fuller is confident his creative staff can complete any request.

“Mocktails are here to stay, because the younger generation doesn’t drink as much,” he said. “It’s definitely a nice alternative.”

Nearby at T-BONES Great American Eatery on Union Avenue in Laconia, there’s a special mocktail menu filled with craft creations — including the trendy espresso martini, sans the alcohol, created by recently-named Bartender of the Year and Beverage Menu Developer Eleny Lekas.

The Espress-No, for adults only, features non-alcoholic spirits brand Lyre's coffee originale and spiced cane “spirit,” shaken with dark roast espresso and cream, complete with a coffee-sugar rim.

“She does an incredible job helping us hone our beverage menu,” said Megan Fournier, guest experience manager for Great NH Restaurants, which also includes Cactus Jack's Grill & Watering Hole and The Copper Door. “The Espress-No is one she came up with, because people love espresso martinis.”

T-BONES staff plan to incorporate mocktails into their offerings all year long, providing an alternative that’s more than just ice water.

“People are really seeing this trend grow, whether for Dry January or doing it all year-round for health consciousness.

"But we want to have something that’s not soda water or juice.”

The No Way Rosé uses an alcohol-removed wine and pink gin alternative, paired with ruby red grapefruit juice, lemon-lime soda and tonic, garnished with an orange.

“The No Way Rosé is one I think is great, it’s a sparkling non-alcoholic wine with a gin alternative added to it,” Fournier said, adding the sparkling effect pairs nicely with the acidity of the grapefruit.

Several members of the Common Man family of restaurants are providing mocktail menus, too.

"We are noticing current consumer habits lean toward choosing alcoholic drinks less, but they still enjoy handcrafted flavors in the style of a cocktail," said Ashley Maslowski, beverage director for the Common Man. "The days of mixing up soda water and cranberry juice have passed. We're working on seasonally-themed mocktails to offer all year long that keep up with trends, and match flavor profiles of each season."

At Camp in Meredith, for example, they’re celebrating the fruitier side of life with custom mocktail creations like the Modern Temple, a Shirley Temple-inspired beverage with cold foam and a cherry on top.

The restaurant family also offers alcohol-removed wine and non-alcoholic beer.

Other locations in the Lakes Region participating include Junction Restaurant and Provisions in Laconia; Shibley’s at the Pier in Alton; The Breeze Restaurant and Ellacoya Barn & Grill in Gilford; The Breeze By The Bay, Lakehouse Grille and Lago in Meredith; Foster’s Boiler Room and The Italian Farmhouse in Plymouth; and Back Bay Boathouse and Morrisseys’ Front Porch in Wolfeboro.

In addition to the official roster from the state campaign, Dox on Winnisquam also offers mocktails, featuring a monthly calendar of zero-proof creations. Wednesday’s special was strawberry lemonade.

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Katlyn Proctor can be reached at katlyn@laconiadailysun.com or by calling 603-524-0150.