To say that non-alcoholic beverages are having a moment is an understatement. The demand for zero proof beverages extends well past dry January. Now, the movement is trending towards dedicated alcohol-free bars and non-alcoholic bottle shops that prove there’s never been a more exciting time to curb back alcohol consumption.

Denver, Colorado

Billy and Christy Wynne’s zero proof bar and coffee shop features a menu with several categories, including classic cordials and aperitifs, spirit flights and beer and wine. There’s also a seasonal craft cocktail menu, featuring clever flavor combinations and inventive descriptions. To wit, the Three of Cups, made with vegan butter fat-washed Bonbuz, lavender-cardamom syrup, orange blossom and golden wheat reduction, aptly calls to mind "3 rocking chairs on a porch at sunset." Awake is a Public Benefit Corporation, required by Colorado law to uphold its mission to create space for peace, joy, and justice-making. To that end, the Wynnes source products locally whenever possible, offer discounts to diversify their customer base and contribute 1% of all sales and 10% of profits to mental-health focused charities.

New York, New York

Like many people in the pandemic, the co-founder of this no ABV spirit store, Nick Bodkins, revaluated his drinking habits and looked for ways to moderate consumption. Since opening Boisson’s first brick-and-mortar location in Cobble Hill in February 2021, Bodkins has opened four others, underscoring the demand for sober options. The stores intend to create a one-stop-shop luxury shopping experience with high end products, a signature in-store scent and hand-wrapped purchases. Boisson curates its selection with the intention to inspire shoppers to discover entirely new products. The top selling category? Dealcoholized wines, which includes top brands such as Leitz, Thomson & Scott, Surely and Sovi.

Los Gatos, California

Yvonne Khananis opened Faux Real in February 2022 as an oasis of zero proof beverages. A life-long food lover and passionate cook, Khananis ran Reverence Catering, Gourmet Mommies, Inc and Grocer & Goddess, a gourmet grab-and-go market where she first started carrying non-alcoholic beverages. The demand for zero proof drinks was immediate, so she snapped up the retail space next door to open Faux Real. The sunlight-filled shop exudes a California cool vibe, and products are arranged on shelves much like a typical liquor store. Each product must pass a rigorous taste test, and from there, every shelf is assembled to inspire shoppers to create their own mixed drinks. Top products include Lyre’s non-alcoholic spirits and liquor alternatives from Ritual. Next in the works is a Faux Real coffee-table book of cocktail recipes featuring zero-proof ingredients from the shop.