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The best non-alcoholic cocktails in Shanghai

Off the sauce? Keep the party spirit going with these no-ABV cocktails that you'll actually want to drink

By Cat Nelson Posted: Wednesday September 16 2020

Photograph: Graeme Kennedy (courtesy Shake)
Oh how far we’ve come from Shirley Temples. Whether you’re detoxing, expecting or just not boozing for the night, Shanghai bars have you covered for cocktails, sans the ABV. Forget the sugary, saccharine fruit juices of yesterday – these are sophisticated drinks that will have you feeling like an adult, but without the headache the next day. If you're reading the ingredients thinking: what the hell is Seedlip? It's a distilled, non-alcoholic spirit with three blends and flavour profiles (citrus, aromatic and herbal) to elevate the complexity and give cocktails that punch – without the booze. Without further ado, here are six mocktails you’ll actually want to drink.
Popeye the Sailor, The Odd Couple
Photograph: Cat Nelson

Popeye the Sailor, The Odd Couple

The Odd Couple's actively healthy ‘cocktail’ if there ever was one – a blend of spinach, celery and pineapple juice with Seedlip Garden and a touch of fragrant Taiwanese maqaw mountain pepper syrup and a spritz of salt water come together in this savoury sour. 80RMB
What’s in it? Seedlip Garden 108, magao (or maqaw) pepper, celery, spinach, lemon and egg white.
Also try: Alice in Wonderland with Seedlip Grove 42, clarified milk, coconut, pineapple, lime and a float of espresso.

Gentleman of Calí, Beverly
Photograph: Cat Nelson

Gentleman of Calí, Beverly

Get out of town without leaving Shanghai at Beverly with a sip of this heady coconut-based bevvy that has all the holiday vibes minus the sand. Creamy but not heavy, coconut milk and pineapple juice alongside pressed corn and purple rice with bit of cinnamon make for a layered and intriguing booze-less libation. 78RMB
What’s in it? Coconut milk, corn, pineapple juice, cinnamon and purple rice.

Also try: Sex in the Karesansui with sencha tea, yuzu, honey, lychee, soda and shiso.

Yuzu Spritz, Shake
Photograph: Graeme Kennedy, courtesy Shake (Orange Spritz)

Yuzu Spritz, Shake

With all the dancing you’ll be doing at Shake, this very tasty non-alcoholic spritz has its moments for drinkers and non-drinkers alike. Spiced and complex, it’s a riff off the bar's excellent Orange Spritz, elevated by the vanilla-esque notes of a tonka bean cordial for an unexpected contender of ‘zai lai yi ge’. 85RMB

What’s in it? Seedlip Grove 42, tonka bean cordial and Pao yuzu jasmine soda.
Also try: Spice Club with Seedlip Spice 94, mango, lemon and egg white.

Herb Garden, The Cannery
Photograph: Cat Nelson

Herb Garden, The Cannery

Earthy and smooth, this ultra fresh mix from The Cannery finishes with the taste of sweet peas in your mouth. Seedlip along with a citrusy ferment is shaken with a shiso leaf and finished with oolong mango kombucha and a garnish of pickled carrot. 68RMB 

What’s in it? Seedlip Garden 108, tangerine and carrot ferment, shiso leaf, oolong mango kombucha. 
Also try: Uncle T’s Tepache with Seedlip Grove 42, tepache (fermented pineapple drink), verjus, sencha green tea and cured grapefruit.

Caribbean Sour, KOR
Photograph: courtesy KOR Shanghai

Caribbean Sour, KOR

Refreshing and not overly complex, KOR's virgin take on a sour vibrates with tropical flavours and citrus notes. 78RMB 

What’s in it? Pineapple puree, orange, salt pickled sakura syrup, lime and egg white. 
Also try: Seedlip Tonic with Seedlip Spice 94 for a G&T, minus the booze.

Coffee Mojito, Sober Café
Photograph: courtesy Sober Company

Coffee Mojito, Sober Café

Make like Jay Chou with this creamy, coffee-spiked take on a mojito. It's an off-menu speciality you'll have to request from the first-floor cafe at Sober Company – full-bodied and refreshing with a caffeinated kick. 65RMB
What’s in it? Seedlip Spice 94, mint syrup, carbonated cold brew, lime juice and fresh mint.

Ready to booze?

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