A dark orange cocktail, placed next to a glass bottle of Seedlip Spice 94. — Whitechapel’s Winds of Winter cocktail.

Where to Drink Nonalcoholic Cocktails Around San Francisco

By Vox Creative Dec 2, 2021, 11:37am EST

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Whitechapel’s Winds of Winter cocktail.

| Photo by Jakob N. Layman

By Vox Creative Dec 2, 2021, 11:37am EST

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The mixology revolution has come for nonalcoholic drinks — and redefined the very notion of a booze-free cocktail. Not long ago, those not drinking alcohol were left with tired options like club soda or too-sweet ginger ale. Today? San Francisco’s bars and restaurants approach nonalcoholic drinks with the full expertise of their craft.

While a number of high-quality nonalcoholic “spirits” have hit the market in recent years, the true pioneer in the category remains Seedlip. Seedlip’s three flavors (Garden 108, Spice 94, and Grove 42) are each made with a distinct blend of botanicals, and lend sophistication and nuance to spirit-free drinks. Here are our favorites in and around San Francisco.

The latest CDC guidance for vaccinated diners during the COVID-19 outbreak is here; dining out still carries risks for unvaccinated diners and workers. Some restaurants may also experience temporary closures. Please be aware of changing local rules, and check individual restaurant websites for information regarding hours and closures, as well as any additional restrictions such as mask requirements. Find a local vaccination site here.

Trick Dog

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It’s hard to have a conversation about upscale cocktails in San Francisco that doesn’t include Trick Dog. Always on the leading edge of the drinking world, they’ve championed nonalcoholic cocktails, too; to showcase Seedlip, they’ve created a simple highball with Seedlip Garden and Jarritos Piña, garnished with fresh cucumber.

3010 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 471-2999

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A bartender garnishes a highball cocktail with a cucumber. — Trick Dog’s nonalcoholic cocktail.

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Chezchez

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Dedicated to life’s simpler pleasures — outdoor dining, spritzes, and fried snacks among them — Chezchez has a real affinity for the Bloody Mary, even encouraging drinking ‘em after dark. (“You have our permission,” reads the menu!) So grant yourself permission to try the Virgin Mary, with their signature Chezchez Mary mix spiked with Seedlip Garden and finished with cheese and pickled chile.

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584 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 237-1834

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Rich Table

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Fresh, thoughtful, and seasonal define both the food and the drink at Evan and Sarah Rich’s Hayes Valley favorite. So it’s no surprise they’ve embraced Seedlip in their nonalcoholic “Spritz Face Killah,” with Seedlip Grove paired with similarly booze-free Lyre’s “Dark Rum,” served in a highball topped with crisp grapefruit soda.

199 Gough St, San Francisco, CA 94102

(415) 355-9085

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An orange-colored cocktail served in a glass garnished with an orange peel, and Seedlip Grove 42. — Rich Table’s Spritz Face Killah cocktail.

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Nari

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In its few years of operation, Pim Techamuanvivit’s Nari has become one of the city’s true must-visits, a refined Thai restaurant in a breathtakingly elegant space within the Hotel Kabuki. Their precise, beautifully executed cocktails each build from a spirit; the “Unakarn” infuses Seedlip Garden 108 with juniper and tops with tonic, for a G&T riff with none of the alcohol, but all the fresh character of Seedlip.

1625 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94115

(415) 868-6274

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A cocktail garnished with cucumber, placed on a round wood table. — Nari’s Unakarn cocktail.

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The Beehive

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Free-spirited and simply fun, The Beehive brings killer cocktails and mid-century modern style to Valencia Street. Their “Gimlet of Eden” celebrates Seedlip Garden’s vibrant, verdant side with fresh lime and a kiwi-lime leaf fresca — as bright in flavor as in color.

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842 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 306-8209

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A bright green cocktail served in a coupe glass. — The Beehive’s Gimlet of Eden cocktail

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China Live

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An upscale, ambitious Chinese food emporium embracing varied cuisines from across the vast nation, China Live doesn’t skimp on the cocktails, either. The “Almost G&T” brings together Seedlip Garden, tonic, and a mandarin blood orange syrup: fresh, complex, and, unlike a boozy gin and tonic, completely virtuous.

644 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133

(415) 788-8188

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Whitechapel

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While this beloved, ornate cocktail lounge reveres gin above all else, their wide-ranging menu makes plenty of room for other spirits, too — including the nonalcoholic. Their “Winds of Winter” stars Seedlip Spice 94 with chancaca syrup, lemon, pineapple, and Lurisia Chinotto soda.

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600 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94102

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True Laurel

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A true cocktail nerd’s destination, True Laurel is always pushing the boundaries of what a drink can be. Their “Spice and Everything Nice” builds from a base of Seedlip Spice 94, combining it with the compelling flavors of chamomile, pink peppercorn, pear vinegar, and bitters. Every bit as complex as the boozier drinks on their menu.

753 Alabama St, San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 341-0020

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An orange cocktail, placed next to a bottle of Seedlip Spice 94. — True Laurel’s Spice and Everything Nice cocktail.

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Ettan

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Among the most sophisticated spots on the Peninsula, Ettan showcases Kerala native Srijith Gopinathan’s self-proclaimed “Cal-Indian” culinary style. Their equally sophisticated cocktails are cheekily labeled the “Sinful” and the nonalcoholic “Sinless”; among the latter, the “Non Ginto” is a tart, vibrant concoction of Seedlip Garden, agave, lime, basil, and ginger beer.

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518 Bryant St, Palo Alto, CA 94301

(650) 752-6281

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A light green cocktail garnished with basil leaves, and a glass bottle of Seedlip Garden 108. — Ettan’s Non Ginto cocktail.

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Fern Bar

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While Sonoma County is of course known for its wines, Fern Bar makes the case that it should be known for its cocktails, as well. Nonalcoholic drinks (here known as “Free Spirited!”) hold down a significant portion of their menu, including the “White Lie,” which pairs Seedlip Spice with Earl Grey tea, orange marmalade, lemon, and a lemon meringue foam.

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6780 Depot St Suite 120, Sebastopol, CA 95472

(707) 861-9603

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A bartender uses a cooking torch on a layer of white foam atop an orange cocktail. — Fern Bar’s White Lie cocktail.

Paper Plane

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Located in San Jose, Paper Plane embraces classic cocktails, while putting a distinct spin on all of their drinkable creations. The “Cool Hand Luke” shows off Seedlip Garden’s culinary character with cucumber juice, lime, and Fever-Tree tonic.