{"id":80741,"date":"2024-01-03T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-03T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/hi-lo\/?post_type=newspack_nl_cpt&p=80741"},"modified":"2024-01-04T17:06:00","modified_gmt":"2024-01-05T01:06:00","slug":"dry-january-4-places-to-sip-boozeless-booze","status":"publish","type":"newspack_nl_cpt","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/newsletter\/dry-january-4-places-to-sip-boozeless-booze","title":{"rendered":"Dry January: 4 places to sip boozeless booze"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n
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Off the Clock<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Your time-off itinerary for things to do in Long Beach and beyond. Subscribe here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Shirliest Temple drink at Shirley’s Temple a deli and mocktail bar in Signal Hill, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n


Happy New Year to all of you and to a lucky lot of you, welcome to Dry January.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s that? You say you already slurped down a few bloody marys on New Year\u2019s Day<\/strong>? Not to worry \u2014 me too. Personally, I like to begin my sober sabbatical on Jan. 2. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re on the fence about taking a month or even two weeks off the sauce, let me be the one to reinforce what I\u2019m sure<\/em> you\u2019ve heard before: It\u2019s totally worth it (and oh the money you\u2019ll save).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last year, during my first-ever Dry January, I was determined to keep going out with friends, going to concerts and attending all the usual nighttime social functions. Plus, I do moonlight as a DJ so, being the life of the party is sort of my job (no one prefers an awkward, frowny disc jockey \u2014 unless it\u2019s emo night). Dry January revealed something to me last year that I didn\u2019t realize I suffered from: social anxiety \u2014 debilitatingly so. And it turned out that my little glass of fernet that I\u2019d sipped during my DJ sets was the antidote (or the mask) all along. But by the third week of grueling sober perseverance, I was pleasantly surprised to find my social footing again. I also found a sunnier disposition, clear skin and<\/em> a smaller waist size \u2014 win, win and win. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Convinced? Whether you practice a sober lifestyle already or you\u2019ve decided to embark on a dry month with me, we\u2019re going to talk about mocktails and where to get them in Long Beach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In their latest evolution, mocktails have come a long, long way from what they were (an awkward cup of mixed juice). From the ethereal concoctions with ingredients like butterfly pea and green tea syrup to non-alcoholic rose and zero-proof aperitivo, there are so many yummy boozeless alternatives that, at the very least, will serve as a hangover-less party prop. Luckily, many bars have caught onto the fact that, yes, even those who don\u2019t partake in the elixir of headaches and mistakes like to go out and sip non-alcoholic prosecco, espresso martinis and the like \u2014 not just the obligatory Bitburger<\/strong> or O\u2019Douls<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without further inspirational blathering (thank you for coming to my Ted Talk<\/strong>), let\u2019s embark on our boozeless bar crawl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shirley\u2019s Temple – 2420 E. 28th St., Signal Hill<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Stephanie “Essie” Evans, owner of Shirley’s Temple in Signal Hill, makes the Vintage Violet mocktail on Sept. 25, 2023. Photo by Maison Tran.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How could we not begin with Shirley\u2019s Temple? The LB area\u2019s only mocktail bar that just topped Yelp\u2019s list of the 25 best places to get a mocktail<\/a> <\/mark>in the U.S. Wowzer. That\u2019s pretty impressive, considering that they opened less than one year ago. Also, Dry January has been crowned as Shirley Temple month, since the cherry-red drink is the O.G. mocktail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And they really know what they\u2019re doing over there. This month, they\u2019re even offering three low-calorie, low-sugar mocktails to help you fulfill some of those health-oriented New Year’s resolutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I met the owner last year, I immediately got the sense that she has mastered the wizardry behind crafting a good<\/em> mocktail. But don\u2019t call her Shirley. A bartender by trade, Essie Evans has crafted a menu with everything from caffeinated mocktinis to spicy blood orange margaritas to non-alcoholic prosecco and everything in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I like my mocktails with a little bite, so I really enjoyed La Spicy Shirley<\/strong>. But for next time, I\u2019ve got my eye on the Retro Rose<\/strong> with lemon, honey, a splash of non-alcoholic prosecco and edible rose petals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out her menu here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baby Gee<\/strong> – 1227 E. Fourth St.<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Gianna Johns, co-owner of Baby Gee, takes a sip out of one of her bar’s hand-made mugs Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. Photo by Brandon Richardson.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Another newcomer in town, Baby Gee, has also received some national recognition, especially when it was named one of the 10 best new bars in the West in last year\u2019s Spirited Awards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my experience with sober bar outings, I\u2019d rather hang out at a place that is either super kitschy, aesthetically pleasing or has some sort of immersive theme. Baby Gee\u2019s hits that mark for me with its \u201870s living room vibes, vintage knick-knacks and shiny jewel-tone color palette. On their menu, they offer mocktails like the Fuschia Flame<\/strong>: Spirit-free aperitivo, spiced plum, sparkling hibiscus tea and lemon. I\u2019m also intrigued by the Apple Wagon<\/strong>: Spirit free \u201ctequila,\u201d Granny Smith, allspice, cardamom, lemon and quinine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also offer a Leitz non-alcoholic sparkling riesling, an Untitled Art mango and dragon fruit sour, a Juicy IPA and much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saint & Second<\/strong> – 4828 Second St<\/em>.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Saint & Second at 4828 Second St. in Long Beach, Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re someone who likes to be out and about, Dry January should never be a month to abstain from that. Easily, one of the best things about this month (if you imbibe regularly) is the extra cash you\u2019ll have to spend on food instead of booze. Saint & Second always gives me a run for my money because I can never decide whether to blow my wallet on the food or their delicious cocktails. This weekend, I\u2019ll happily pay $6 for their virgin Bloody Mary and <\/em>their decadent breakfast sandwich AND their old-fashioned pancakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aside from brunch, this Belmont Shore corner staple is also a great date night spot. And you can still grab yourself a sleek cocktail \u2014 spirit free. <\/strong>The Take it Easy<\/strong> has non-alcoholic Martini & Rossi Floreale, a housemade ginger syrup, fresh lime juice, Fever-Tree sparkling Lime and Yuzu. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Wicked Wolf<\/strong> \u2013  2332 Pacific Ave. <\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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A non-alcoholic bubbly rose is one of many non-alcoholic beverages available at The Wicked Wolf, Wednesday, April 19. Photo by Cheantay Jensen.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of ethereal concoctions, we can\u2019t sound off a proper boozeless role call without mentioning The Wicked Wolf. It\u2019s one of the few alcoholic bars (if not the only) that offers a mocktail list as extensive as its cocktail menu. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The London Fox <\/strong>has Earl Grey tea syrup, super lemon juice, Free Spirits non-alcoholic gin, oatmilk, vanilla and nutmeg. The Fountain of Youth<\/strong> is cucumber, mint, super lime, simple syrup, butterfly pea flower tea and soda. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Happy drinking, boozeless barflys. Did I miss your favorite mocktail hole in the wall? Tell me your secrets, witch. Email me your favorite hangouts and mocktails offered in and around Long Beach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kat Schuster<\/strong> is the assistant editor for the Long Beach Post. You can reach her at kat@lbpost.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Whether you practice a sober lifestyle already or you\u2019re embarking on a dry month with me, we\u2019re going to talk about mocktails and where to get them in Long Beach.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":302,"featured_media":77923,"template":"","meta":{"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","inline_featured_image":false,"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":"","_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_":"","_author_alias":"","cap-aim":"","cap-description":"","cap-display_name":"","cap-first_name":"","cap-jabber":"","cap-last_name":"","cap-linked_account":"","cap-newspack_employer":"","cap-newspack_job_title":"","cap-newspack_phone_number":"","cap-newspack_role":"","cap-user_email":"","cap-user_login":"","cap-website":"","cap-yahooim":"","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_email_type":"","newspack_featured_image_position":"hidden","newspack_hide_page_title":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":"","newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_show_share_buttons":"","newspack_sponsor_byline_prefix":"","newspack_sponsor_disclaimer_override":"","newspack_sponsor_flag_override":"","newspack_sponsor_only_direct":"","newspack_sponsor_url":"","disable_auto_ads":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[32199],"tags":[],"newspack_nl_advertiser":[],"coauthors":[9454],"class_list":["post-80741","newspack_nl_cpt","type-newspack_nl_cpt","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-off-the-clock","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_nl_cpt\/80741","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_nl_cpt"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/newspack_nl_cpt"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/302"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_nl_cpt\/80741\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":80804,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_nl_cpt\/80741\/revisions\/80804"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77923"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=80741"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=80741"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=80741"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_nl_advertiser","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_nl_advertiser?post=80741"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=80741"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}