Best Spots for Cocktails and Mocktails in the Greater Sacramento Region

It’s no secret that Sacramento has a vibrant culinary scene. In addition to its renowned farm-to-fork dining, it also has a diverse cocktail culture as well. Options go far beyond the basic screwdrivers and cosmopolitans of years past. Today, craft cocktails are all the rage, made with seasonal, artisanal ingredients.

But it’s not just alcoholic cocktails that are a draw. Non-alcoholic cocktails, or mocktails, are also growing in popularity. Not only are mixologists turning out booze-free drinks made with the same quality ingredients as their alcoholic counterparts, they’re also incorporating non-alcoholic spirits made from botanicals such as flowers, spices, and fruit.

Many bars are now adding zero-proof cocktails to their lineup, and some have entire menus dedicated to alcohol-free options. There’s even an entirely non-alcoholic bar in the works — The Teetotalist. They started out as a pop-up experience but are now planning on opening their own brick-and-mortar by the end of 2024.

Meantime, following are some of the best spots in the greater Sacramento area for both traditional cocktails and mocktails.

Juju Kitchen & Cocktails | Midtown Sacramento

Photo courtesy of Juju Kitchen & Cocktails

Located in Midtown Sacramento, this modern cocktail bar-slash-restaurant offers both classic and house-created cocktails. The In Bloom cocktail incorporates vodka, pomegranate and lavender-thyme syrup, while the Bosslady has strawberry-infused vodka, balsamic reduction and Thai basil. If you’re looking for something without the liquor, consider the Endless Summer, made from tepache, pineapple juice and serrano chile syrup.

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Preserve | Winters

Showcasing the best seasonal ingredients grown on nearby farms, this farm-to-table restaurant in Winters has an ever-changing menu. Its cocktail menu also changes with the seasons, and includes elevated concoctions such as the Brightside, with gin, ginger liqueur and lemon verbena and the General Savage, with whiskey, house-made orange marmalade and lemon. They also have a dedicated mocktail menu, featuring drinks such as the Clean Linen, with Seedlip garden non-alcoholic spirits, cucumber and lime, and the Beet It, with beet shrub, apple cider and lemon.

Shangri-La | Fair Oaks

This sunny hangout spot in Fair Oaks is a popular spot for adults, kids, and dogs alike, with a large outdoor space complete with fire pits and lawn games. In addition to its elevated American cuisine, they also serve more than a dozen seasonal, scratch-made cocktails, including a strawberry-thyme Negroni and Thai-inspired margarita. Designated drivers can rest assured that their non-alcoholic beverages are crafted with the same creativity, including the Golden Earth, which is made from Seedlip non-alcoholic spirits, turmeric shrub and passionfruit.

Milestone | El Dorado Hills

Photo courtesy of Milestone Restaurant El Dorado Hills

This all-American eatery in El Dorado Hills is popular for its hearty dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But they also have quite a following for their artisan cocktails. Popular choices include the Witty Comeback, with bourbon, honey syrup and grapefruit bitters; and the Ultraviolea, with Mezcal, dragonfruit, pineapple and ancho chile.

House Divided | Roseville

This moody, clandestine bar in downtown Roseville gives off speakeasy vibes. Access is through a nondescript back door off an alley, and you need a password to enter (easily obtained via their Instagram page). Once inside, you’ll find an extensive cocktail menu featuring classics such as the White Linen and French 75. They also have seasonal specials and an entire menu dedicated to variations on the Old Fashioned. Best of all, if you’re not the boozing type, they have a zero-proof menu featuring Seedlip non-alcoholic spirits.

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Bottle and Barlow | Downtown Sacramento

Part bar, part barber shop, this hip downtown spot offers plenty of unique cocktails, with unique names to match. The Strawberry Thotcake has vodka, strawberry, almond liqueur and cream, while the Carnal Knowledge has rum, pineapple syrup and bitters. Not drinking? The Nojito has Seedlip non-alcoholic spirits, grapefruit, mint and lemon.

Shipwrecked Tiki Bar | Davis

Photo courtesy of Ship Wrecked Tikki Bar

If you and your mateys are looking for a fun, tiki-themed bar in Davis, this is a good bet. The cocktail menu features all the classics, such as the Painkiller, with rum and tropical juices; and the Mai Tai, with a blend of rums, dry Curaçao and Orgeat syrup. They also offer a mocktail menu with fruity drinks such as the Mango Tango, with mango purée, lime and bitter; and the Agave Spritz, with agave nectar, prickly pear and fresh lime juice.

Plank Craft Kitchen + Bar | Folsom

If you’re craving a craft cocktail after spending a day in historic Folsom, consider a visit to this upscale American bistro. The cocktail menu features contemporary takes on modern classics, like the cucumber-lime Gimlet and Mexican-inspired Old Fashioned. They also have a mocktail menu, with drinks such the Sunset Punch, with grenadine, pineapple, lime and sparkling lemon tonic water.

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The Independent | Placerville

Located in Placerville, this swanky restaurant features upscale regional American cuisine. But it’s much more than a dining experience. They also have an impressive bar menu featuring craft cocktails, such as the Endless Thyme, with elderflower rose gin and house-infused rosemary and thyme syrup; and the French Pearl, with vanilla vodka, house-made Tahitian vanilla syrup, and Cointreau.

Lincoln Speakeasy Taproom | Lincoln

Photo courtesy of Lincoln Speakeasy

Harkening back to the bygone era of the 1920s, this intimate bar in Lincoln specializes in artisanal cocktails, including the Mary Pickford, with rum, pineapple and grenadine; and the Bee’s Knees, with gin, lemon juice and honey. They also have an extensive beer and wine menu, as well as pub fare such as burgers, sandwiches and wings. They also have live music most weekends.

Bodega Kitchen & Cocktails | Pocket

This friendly neighborhood restaurant in Sacrament’s Pocket neighborhood is known for its Caribbean-inspired cuisine. It also has a creative cocktail menu, featuring traditional options like daiquiris and margaritas alongside house specialties such as the Jamaican Jockey, with bourbon, rum, passionfruit and cocoa bitters; and the Hunny Pot, with dark rum, honey, orange and soursop.

So whether you’re in the mood to let loose or stay on the wagon, you’re sure to find a bar or restaurant in the greater Sacramento region that meets your needs. The Sacramento area’s standing as a culinary powerhouse is here to stay, so take advantage of the craftsmanship and artistry that goes into making a top-notch cocktail or mocktail.