Everyone loves a refreshing cocktail on a beautiful dry season day – but if you’re not too keen on the alcohol content, you will be pleased to know that Darwin has an emerging sober curious scene! Bars and restaurants are eager to create delectable non-alcoholic drinks for us all to enjoy.
Our contributor Holly Roworth has ditched the lemon and lime bitters, and explored the wonderful world of non-alcoholic cocktails – and here she shares her top 5 places to enjoy a non-alcoholic cocktail in Darwin and surrounds.
Dry Society, Freds Pass Rural Markets
Start your day with brunch at the Freds Pass Rural Markets, every Saturday 8am – 1pm. Where you will find Dry Society selling Non-Alcoholic Craft Beer, Spirits and Bubbly to take home.
They also sell lovingly made alcohol-free cocktails, trust me it’s well worth the drive and if you love the cocktails – you can buy the ingredients to recreate it yourself.
Espresso Martini
Lyre’s Coffee liqueur and White Cane Spirit (Kahlua and white rum alternatives) Cartel Cold Brew coffee and white cane syrup. Topped off with grated dark chocolate and a biscoff.
Papaya Mimosa
Papaya from Rum Jungle Organics and Lyre’s Classico (Prosecco style non-alcoholic bubbly)
Dry season in a glass!
Hot Tamale, Darwin Waterfront
Hola NAHgarita!
What could be better on a breezy dry season afternoon than to sip on an alcohol-free Margarita while enjoying the beautiful view of the Darwin Waterfront.
Lyre’s Agave Reserva (tequila alternative) Orange Oleo (citrus oil extract) Lime and Salted Agave.
Best enjoyed with a side of Nachos, deliciosa!
Dom’s Bar, Nightcliff
Explore the beautiful coastline of Nightcliff, enjoy the sunset from the Nightcliff Jetty and then make your way to Dom’s Bar!
Dom’s is an award-winning cocktail lounge that caters for everyone! The very talented bartenders have expertly crafted some of the yummiest of non-alcoholic drinks in Darwin. You can request any cocktail you like to be made using non-alcoholic spirits, their specialities being:
Berry Bless
Lyres Pink Gin, blueberry and basil cheong, lime juice and soda.
Not seeing Fairies
Lyres Absinth, mint, lime and soda. Something a bit different but very enjoyable!
Peewee’s at the Point, East Point
Possibly one of Darwin’s most iconic restaurants also has as an extensive non-alcoholic drinks list. So why not treat yourself to a slap-up meal using the very best produce the Northern Territory has to offer while sipping on one of these tasty Alcohol-free cocktails:
Ginger and Lemon Grass Mojito
Lyres Spiced cane spirit (spiced rum alternative) muddled mint and lime, ginger and lemongrass scented syrup, topped with Bundaberg ginger beer.
Italian Spritz
Lyres Italian Spritz (Aperol alternative) Mcguigan Zero Sparkling wine, Soda Water and fresh orange slice.
Check out the view!
Stone house Wine Bar and Kitchen
Possibly my favourite place to go and live my best sober life is the Stone house Wine bar and Kitchen. This heritage listed building in the middle of the Darwin CBD is just beautiful. You will certainly feel like you are living the high life when you visit this stunning venue, and the non-alcoholic offerings are just as divine as the setting.
The Clover Club
Lyres Pink Gin, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Aquafaba and dehydrated lemon wheel.
It looks and tastes fabulous!
Garden & Tonic
Seedlip garden 108, elderflower fever tree tonic and cucumber.
Orange & Tonic
Lyre’s orange sec, fever tree premium Indian tonic and orange.
Spice & Tonic
Seedlip spice 94, fever tree ginger beer, dehydrated lime.
These are my top 5, but I assure you there are plenty more where that came from.
The next time you spend time in Darwin enjoying our amazing weather, atmosphere and food – make sure you ask for the alcohol-free drink options, I’ve got a feeling you will be pleasantly surprised!