Atlanta’s cocktail culture is expanding beyond traditional spirits, with the rise of zero-proof beverages and non-alcoholic drinks. In this month’s Beverage Beat segment on “City Lights,” Beth McKibben, Senior Editor at Rough Draft Atlanta, explores the blossoming market of non-alcoholic cocktails, beers, and functional beverages that are reshaping how Atlantans approach drinking.
Driven in part by younger generations like Gen Z and sober-curious consumers, the non-alcoholic beverage industry has surged in recent years, offering everything from alcohol-free spirits to canned zero-proof cocktails. “Having interesting and complex non-alcoholic cocktails on the menu is a no-brainer these days,” said Nick Haciotis, co-owner of Foundation Social Eatery in Alpharetta.
Venues like Soberish in Kirkwood and The Sober Social in Castleberry Hill have embraced this trend, providing alcohol-free spaces that foster wellness and social connection. Aja Wolfe, founder of The Sober Social, emphasized the value of meaningful interactions without the haze of alcohol, explaining that “people still want to feel something. We’ve discovered better ways to take the edge off.”
Atlanta’s bartenders are also getting creative. McKibben highlighted Foundation Social Eatery’s Gray Fox, a zero-proof cocktail made with earl grey tea, blood orange oleo saccharum, and ginger beer. Meanwhile, shops like Soberish stock zero-proof spirits and adaptogenic drinks for a health-conscious clientele.
As more venues embrace these options, Atlanta is becoming a haven for those seeking elevated, alcohol-free beverages. Whether it’s a dry January reset or a year-round lifestyle choice, Atlantans are proving that a great drink doesn’t have to come with a hangover.
