The Library Bar at The Lanesborough has a collection of sober twists on cocktail classics that are well suited to its clubby, traditional setting. Try The Genuine & Tonic, a take on a G&T made from Seedlip Spice 94, Everleaf and The London Essence Co Tonic Water, or the refined Non Alcoholic Negroni made with Atopia Spiced Citrus, Aecorn Aromatic, Martini Vibrante non-alcoholic red vermouth, and finished with orange essence.
The newly opened Studio Frantzén on the top floor of Harrods is the first London restaurant from lauded and many Michelin-starred Swedish chef Björn Frantzén. The chic space includes two bars serving Nordic-inspired cocktails rich in Scandinavian and Asian ingredients. Try zero-proof Urskog, crafted from pine, rosemary, citrus and soda, or Norrlands Guld, a refreshing combination of cloudberry, meadowsweet, yuzu and alcohol-free lager. The restaurant also serves a number of signature tonics to enjoy with Seedlip or on their own, including ones infused with birch and spruce.
The Mandarin Oriental’s Mandarin Bar has a classy selection of mocktails, among them the exhilarating Mediterranean Spring, made from Everleaf Marine, sage and long pepper hydrosol, Sencha tea and tonic water, and the irresistible Tipsy Pineapple, crafted from Everleaf Forest, roasted pineapple shrub and soda, which would make the perfect pairing for the signature dessert of tipsy cake with spit roast pineapple at next-door Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.
Along with world-beating steaks, the Hawksmoor’s reputation has been built on fantastic cocktails, including non-alcoholic variations. Try the Spiced Plum Fix, made from Tanqueray 0.0%, lemon, Lyre’s Amaretti (a zero-proof amaretto alternative) and spiced plum syrup. Or plump for a Mother Mule, made with Mother Root Ginger drinking vinegar, lime and soda water, or a Water Street Fizz, crafted from Three Spirit’s energising Livener, sour watermelon and Coast yuzu soda. The restaurant also serves a good range of kombucha, sparkling teas and no-alcohol wines.
At vegan eatery Holy Carrot, mood-enhancers are on the menu for non-drinkers. The Empress includes Everleaf Marine, lemon juice and aquafaba mixed with a dram of calming Love Hemp CBD oil. The Herbal Stimulant blends mood-elevating Three Spirit Social Elixir with espresso and agave, while The World combines soothing Three Spirit Nightcap with lime, cranberry syrup and ginger beer.
From enlivening aperitifs, to twists on classics and next-generation mood-altering brews, Knightsbridge has something for every temporarily or permanently teetotal tippler out there – all served in suitably glamorous surrounds, proving sober never has to be boring again.
Jane Fulcher is contributing editor of drinkspiration website The Mixer