We get a lot of people who are preggers (or on their way to becoming pregnant) coming through our doors, which is just the way we like it. And while a sip or two of wine isn’t the end of the world, we wanted to share a few spots around town to spice up your holiday drinking, while keeping it all N/A.

Party like you’re Pregnant!

Wellspent Market is a luxurious specialty market stocked with Japanese snacks and rare spices and local goods. Put this place on your list for stocking stuffers of all kinds, including a small selection of kitchen goods and homemade pottery. But also put it on your list as a go-to spot to pick up a bottle of not-wine to bring to a party. Or cans of hops soda water to sip on at a family event. I especially like a line of sparkling tea called Töst that looks like rosé, but is actually an addictive ginger and elderberry concoction.

Portland Syrup has a new Mocktail Shop in SE, and it’s a tiny sidecar of their full operation, but a delight to the senses, nonetheless. With flavors ranging from Yuzu to Roseto Citrus Bitters, each bottle comes with a mocktail recipe vetted by the owner of the company, who is herself sober. They also carry a small range of N/A sparkling wines like Joyous.

Hale Pele is a world-renowned tiki bar, which means that the bartenders come in hours early to prep fresh juices and steep spicy concoctions to mix their vintage cocktails like true pros. With a menu that assigns each alcoholic beverage a rating of 1 to 4 (lightest to strongest), it’s easy to tell how much you’re imbibing. For those of us who drink on the 0 end of the scale, they have a seriously good section of their menu that has no alcohol, but all of the flavor. I love ordering the Designated Diver and Trouble on the High Seas with felarum and passionfruit. It’s a real pleasure bringing people to Hale Pele, knowing there’s something for everyone.

Radio Room is one of Portland’s best kept secrets. There’s a coziness to the indoor dining spaces that is reminiscent of a mid-century lodge. Their brunch is straight-forward and always delivers, plus they have a terrific outdoor patio. They kind of have it all, including a zero proof section on their cocktail menu that has a mich-a-nada that tastes pretty classic and goes well with their classic steak and eggs. I also love the Orange Dream, which definitely reminds me of a creamsicle.

Yaowarat is a new Thai-Chinese restaurant in Montevilla, and while they don’t have an extensive non-alcoholic section on their drink menu, it is an adventure. Try the salty limeade, which pairs remarkably well with everything on the menu, or the Thai iced tea that includes coffee jelly. They also have a line of sodas called Casamara Club Sodas, and they’re more cocktail than convenience store.

A few other places/things I’m excited to try are Sousol , Dolly Olive’s phony negroni, and Suckerpunch, a whole N/A bar.

Holiday Punch

Recipe from Portland Syrups 

What would the holidays be without a good ole’ punch recipe? This version is booze-free, but if great aunt Mildred wants to spike it, we recommend she uses rum or vodka. 

PREP: 10 MINS   //   YIELD: 1 PITCHER

INGREDIENTS

4-5 oz of Ginger syrup (great herb to relieve pregnancy nausea!)

• 1/2 an orange sliced into cross sections
• 1/2 cup whole cranberries
• 1/4 cup pomegranate arils (the seeds) 
• 1 cup cranberry juice
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 cup pomegranate juice
• Sparkling water
• Rosemary sprigs to garnish

DIRECTIONS

In a large pitcher or punch bowl, add ice, the orange, cranberries and and pomegranate arils.

Then add cranberry juice, orange juice, pomegranate juice, and 4-5 oz of our ginger syrup

Top with sparkling water, stir, then add a few sprigs of rosemary to garnish.

Next time you’re in the office and checking in for an appointment, let me know what you’re finding to satisfy the party urge this season. Even if you’re not pregnant, dry January is right around the corner!