Where to Find Zero Proof Drinks in New Jersey

New Jersey is well-known for being a top destination on the eastern coast with a variety of historic towns and a great nightlife scene. Many people visit the state from neighboring cities or even from across the country to enjoy time with friends and family and see everything the city has to offer.

But if you want to enjoy yourself in the city but are abstaining from alcohol, it can be hard to plan outings at bars and restaurants while still maintaining sobriety. Luckily, there is a wide range of popular locations that serve zero proof drinks throughout the city.

What is a Zero Proof Drink or Cocktail?

There are a large number of people visiting restaurants and bars who choose not to drink alcohol. Because of this, you’ll now see terms like “zero proof” or “mocktails” being used on menus or in advertisements.

When it comes to classifying non-alcohol or zero proof drinks, there is actually a specific scale that’s used.[1] This scale is known as Alcohol by Volume (ABV). It’s determined that any drink that contains less than 0.5% ABV can safely be defined as zero proof. It’s important to keep in mind that even drinks like “non-alcoholic” beer can contain trace amounts of alcohol, which should be stipulated on the label.[2]

However, trace amounts of alcohol are common in other areas as well, such as in fermented fruits, kombucha, or certain types of breads.

Today, many modern mixologists are being trained on how to create unique drink flavor profiles while using non-alcoholic spirits. This has become a deliberate strategy to be more inclusive of individuals recovering from alcohol addiction wanting to have a unique and enjoyable dining or drinking experience, while still having a lot of non-alcoholic options to choose from.

Great Spots to Find Zero Proof Drinks in New Jersey

New Jersey is actually the perfect place to enjoy a night on the town while staying sober. There is a growing interest in zero proof dining options, giving you plenty of great spots to choose from. Here are some of the hot spots to visit when looking for zero proof drinks and cocktails.

Madame (Jersey City)

Madame in Hudson County offers a large zero proof cocktail list. You can try refined, complex recipes like the George Sand, the Camille Dugast, or their take on a Phony Negroni, all made non-alcoholic spirits.

Mathews Food + Drink (Jersey City)

Also in Jersey City, Mathews features great ZP options right on the menu. Look for the Spirit Spritz, which uses Lyre’s Italian Orange and orange bitters, or the Mango + Dreams, a refreshing drink with a mix of mango, grapefruit, and lemon. They also carry a range of non alcoholic beers.

 

Echo Tap & Grille (Mountainside)

Located in Union County, Echo Tap & Grille is a great place to get small bites along with an extensive selection of non-alcoholic options. It’s a great spot to watch a game on TV with your friends while having a burger or brick oven pizza.

Bar Franco (Montclair)

Bar Franco is owned by an award-winning restaurateur who provides highly unique, handcrafted cocktails. They also have three signature mocktail creations that cater to a wider range of guests looking for a sober evening with friends.

Bloom (Verona)

Bloom is a unique French/Korean-inspired restaurant that only features non-alcoholic drink menu options. Their top menu items feature house specialties like the Seren-ade (blueberry, yuzu, lemonade), the Pomegranate Fizz (tajin, ginger beer), and the Mango Marni (turmeric, cayenne).

The Brookdale (Bloomfield)

The Brookdale is a great spot for brunch, dinner, or an alcohol-free happy hour, The Brookdale offers customizable mocktail options. A popular choice is A Little Bit of Cucumber –  a drink with a tasty blend of cucumber, lime, and rosemary.

Dedicated Zero Proof Bottle Shops

• Mercantile 1888 (Collingswood): Mercantile 1888 is a dedicated zero-proof bar and retail shop. It fills a major gap in the local market, offering over 169 products online, including non-alcoholic wines like Gruvi Dry Secco and drinks like Dram Mushroom Cola.
• Gem Life Collective (Pitman): Calling themselves New Jersey’s First Booze Free Bottle Shop, Gem Life focuses all its products on well-being. They pair non-alcoholic drinks with a range of self-care items. You can find a large selection of their spirits online and in-store.
• Point 5 (Northern New Jersey): As northern New Jersey’s first standalone alcohol-free bottle shop, Point 5 caters to both the “sober-curious” and regular drinkers. Their goal is to provide high-quality non-alcoholic products that let you enjoy social activities while having a great mocktail to pair with a meal.
• ShopRite Wines & Spirits: Your local supermarket’s liquor store is also a reliable source of non-alcoholic beverages. Chains like ShopRite Wines & Spirits have both in-store and online non-alcoholic selections.

Popular Zero Proof Cocktail Recipes

If you’re heading out on the town but want to make sure you’re able to order something you can safely drink, here are some zero proof recipes you can keep in mind when ordering at bars and restaurants:

• Grapefruit-Rosemary Spritz: Fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice with rosemary simple syrup mixed with club soda or a non-alcoholic sparkling wine. Typically topped with fresh rosemary sprigs or a thin slice of grapefruit.
• Lavender-Lemon Sour: Non-alcoholic gin or green teas served with lemon juice, lavender simple syrup, and aquafaba. Shaken with ice and then poured into a cold coupe glass.
• Spicy Pineapple & Mint Cooler: Muddled fresh jalapeno and mint leaves mixed with pineapple juice, lime juice, and ice. After being shaken with ice, it’s put into a highball glass and topped off with club soda and a mint sprig garnish.
• Blackberry-Sage Mule: Muddled fresh blackberries and sage leaves combined with fresh lime juice and ice. Strained into a mug filled with crushed ice and topped with a spicy non-acoholic ginger beer and garnished with fresh blackberries and sage.
• Cucumber-Thyme Tonic: Fresh thyme and lime juice combined with cucumber ribbons and ice. Topped up with tonic water.

Helpful New Jersey Resources When Trying to Stay Sober

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, New Jersey provides a number of helpful resources you can lean on. These resources can offer immediate help if you’re experiencing a relapse or you just need additional support groups to help you on your recovery journey.

• Reach NJ: Call 1-844-REACHNJ (732-2465) for access to treatment and support services, even if you don’t have insurance.
• NJ Connect: Call 1-855-652-3737 for a confidential line that connects you with certified counselors. It also offers peer support specialists for family members or caretakers.
• NJ Behavioral Health: Call (732) 751-4750 to speak with addiction services specialists from New Jersey Behavioral Health Care or fill out the contact form.
• Narcotics Anonymous (NA) of New Jersey: NA is a fellowship of men and women recovering from drug addiction. They meet regularly to help each other stay clean and can be reached on their 24-Hour Helpline (1-800-992-0401).
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) of New Jersey: AA is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other to help recover from alcohol abuse. Then can be reached on their 24/7 Helpline: (1-908-687-8566)

Frequently Asked Questions About Zero Proof Drinks in New Jersey

Do "alcohol-free" drinks contain any alcohol at all?

Yes, in many cases, they do. A lot of products that are labeled “alcohol-free” or “zero-proof” can legally contain up to 0.5% Alcohol by Volume (ABV). This is a trace amount, often similar to what’s naturally found in ripe fruit or kombucha, and isn’t intoxicating for most people.

Are zero-proof drinks safe for people in recovery?

This is a personal decision based on your behavioral patterns and preferences. While the trace alcohol (< 0.5% ABV) is rarely a cause of relapse, this doesn’t mean it doesn’t pose a risk to some individuals. These drinks are designed to look, smell, and taste like real alcohol. For some people in recovery, this can lead to a powerful sensory imbalance that can act as a trigger and potentially lead to a relapse.

Can minors buy zero-proof drinks in New Jersey?

Legally, yes. Beverages under 0.5% ABV are not classified as “alcoholic beverages,” so they generally fall outside of age-restriction laws. However, since zero proof beer, wine, and spirits are packaged and marketed to adults, many retailers and bars will enforce their own 18+ or 21+ policy to avoid confusion.

Can I get a non-alcoholic drink at a New Jersey brewery or distillery?

Yes. New Jersey law was recently updated to explicitly allow breweries, cideries, meaderies, and distilleries to offer snacks and non-alcoholic beverages to patrons.