Dry January has reached its end. Many in Chicago powered through it soberly, ignored it entirely, or found a comfortable way to split the difference. In whatever manner the month passed for you, we like to find opportunities to encourage mindful and moderate drinking all year long. Having a good mix of non-alcoholic options helps us promote that goal. These options help us (Judson and Moore staff) self-regulate and ensure everyone feels safe and seen when they enter our space. We firmly believe everyone is entitled to enjoy a night out, no matter how they choose to imbibe.
We aim to have a menu of craft beverages that represent a variety of flavor profiles that can satisfy any craving. Our menu rotates as the array of options, our access to fresh produce, and production methods for NAs grow. Below are some of our favorites.
FRUITY & SPICED:
De la Calle Tepache
A delightfully spiced, sparkly craft fermented punch based on centuries-old recipes from Indigenous civilizations in Mexico before the 13th century. De La Calle, in line with traditional preparation methods, primarily uses fresh pineapple as the base of their Tropical Ponche. The elixir is sweetened with agave, brightened with fresh citrus, and creamy spices like canela (cinnamon) and clove. A soft, fruit-forward acidity balances this tepache's sweetness. And if that isn't enough for you, it's packed full of Vitamin C and probiotics for a healthy immune system and strong gut health.
Green City Market Shrub Highball
Seasonally rotating shrubs (drinking vinegar) featuring produce from rotating vendors at Chicago's Green City Market. First up, two shrubs featuring Asian pears from Oriana's Orchard combined with single-origin Sri Lankan and Indian spices from fair trade pioneers Diaspora Co. Up next, beets, carrots, and apples with herbs and spices for a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals. Shrubs are perfect to lengthen with sodas and tonics for a distinct acidity that reads as mouthwatering and savory. A dollar from each highball served (n/a or spirited) goes back to Green City Market and its work to create a more sustainable and accessible food network.
HERBAL & BRIGHT:
Something and Nothing Hibiscus Rose Soda
Sri Lankan-inspired, sharp, refreshing, botanical seltzer made with grape juice, a little hibiscus, rose petals, and lemon. This company is calm, cool, collected, and certified B Corp! If you like your water vigorously bubbling, this drink is for you! With a beautiful vibrant carbonation, this lightly floraled treat is sure to have you feeling relaxed and zippy.
BITTER & HERBAL:
St. Agrestis Phony Negroni
This cocktail, while phony, has some strong character traits. Notes of Tuscan juniper, Italian citrus, and florals drive an overtly herbal structure. The familiar backbone of bitter orange is followed by the balanced sweetness that gives Negroni enthusiasts something very like the cocktail but without the hangover. Layered botanicals, paired with a touch of carbonation, provide a silky mouthfeel that mimics the bite of alcohol. Coming from St. Agrestis' distillery in Brooklyn, New York, the Catizone brothers are committed to preserving Italian drinking culture without alcohol.
CRISP & HOPPY:
Visitor NA Lager
This lightly hopped, non-alcoholic lager is made right here in Chicago by friends who adore music and design as much as we do. Made with malted barley, they make their beer gluten-reduced and low-calorie for folks with sensitivities. Visitor has notes of sweet malted barley and lightly bitter hops, maintaining the light & crisp crushability of a traditional lager sans alcohol.
POWERFUL WINE ALTERNATIVES:
Proxies
The precise blending of complex fermentations of fresh fruit (typically Sauvignon Blanc or Cabernet Sauvignon grapes) along with various teas, bitters, and spices unite to create the perfect conditions for tannin, acidity, and body that make wine so distinct. Unlike many non-alcoholic concoctions, every bottle of Proxies comes with a healthy list of ingredients, each adding additional layers of complexity.
Rest assured, no matter the reason or the month it is, we've got a myriad of non-alcoholic options to offer you. We're constantly exploring new options to find whatever we think is the coolest or most delightful. So come on by! You'll surely leave having had a good and hydrated time, with or without the whiskey.