Eat Athens: We tried all of the mocktails on this bar's 'zero proof' drink menu

Andrew Shearer, Athens Banner-Herald
Updated ·2 min read
The exterior of Normal Bar in Athens, Ga. is seen in this photo from Thursday, Mar. 14, 2024.
The exterior of Normal Bar in Athens, Ga. is seen in this photo from Thursday, Mar. 14, 2024.

The growing popularity of alcohol-free beers, spirits and mixed drinks in Athens has prompted several bars and restaurants in town to add them to their beverage options.

Products from brands like Athletic Brewing Company and Ritual Zero Proof Tequila can be found at most local package stores, and even if you don't see any alcohol-free options on the menu at your favorite watering hole, most bartenders will be able to create something for you.

With home.made now closed, Normal Bar has picked up the torch lit by that restaurant's Bar Sober nights by offering up a new menu of specially-crafted mocktails designed to suit a wide range of tastes. The Banner-Herald dropped by last week to sample each drink to see what Normal Bar owner Bain Mattox came up with.

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(L-R) Seedlip Mule, Mellow Yellow, Dandy Shandy and Bunkhouse Derby mocktails at Normal Bar in Athens, Ga. on Thursday, Mar. 14, 2024.
(L-R) Seedlip Mule, Mellow Yellow, Dandy Shandy and Bunkhouse Derby mocktails at Normal Bar in Athens, Ga. on Thursday, Mar. 14, 2024.

Seedlip Mule

  • PRICE: $9

  • INGREDIENTS: Seedlip Spice 94, lime, and ginger beer

  • TASTE: Rather than trying to imitate the taste of any specific type of alcohol, Spice 94 uses allspice and cardamom with a light citrus flavor that is enhanced with the inclusion of lime. The bite and sweetness of the ginger beer is a great compliment to Spice 94's somewhat bitter finish.

Normal Bar's new spring mocktail the Mellow Yellow with mango, lime and CBD seltzer.
Normal Bar's new spring mocktail the Mellow Yellow with mango, lime and CBD seltzer.

Mellow Yellow

  • PRICE: $9

  • INGREDIENTS: Mango, lime, and CBD seltzer

  • TASTE: The sweetest of the bunch, this one gets its name partly because of its similarity to the popular soda in terms of color and fruit-forward flavor. The "mellow" part comes courtesy of the CBD seltzer, which contains the non-psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana and produces a relaxed feeling.

Normal Bar's new spring mocktail the Dandy Shandy with athletic n/a spa, lemon, boylanÕs lemon and lime soda.
Normal Bar's new spring mocktail the Dandy Shandy with athletic n/a spa, lemon, boylanÕs lemon and lime soda.

Dandy Shandy

  • PRICE: $6

  • INGREDIENTS: Athletic non-alcoholic IPA, lemon, and Boylan's lemon & lime soda

  • TASTE: Half beer and half citrus soda, this is the almost alcohol-free version of a traditional shandy cocktail. Athletic's products contain less than 0.5% alcohol, which is the same as what's in kombucha, so this isn't exactly a "zero proof" drink. Shandy is an acquired taste, but it's certainly worth trying.

Normal Bar's new spring mocktail the the Bunkhouse Derby with Bunkhouse spicy ginger-ale, grapefruit, honey and lavender.
Normal Bar's new spring mocktail the the Bunkhouse Derby with Bunkhouse spicy ginger-ale, grapefruit, honey and lavender.

Bunkhouse Derby

  • PRICE: $6

  • INGREDIENTS: Bunkhouse spicy ginger ale, grapefruit, honey and lavender

  • TASTE: Out of all of Normal Bar's mocktails, this one is the most complex and interesting in terms of the overall experience. Spicy ginger ale can be off-putting due to its tendency to burn in your nose, but adding the flowery notes of honey and lavender smooths everything out.

Normal Bar is open from 4 p.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday at 1365 Prince Ave. To keep up with drink specials and other events, visit instagram.com/normal_bar_athens.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Eat Athens: Normal Bar's 'zero proof' cocktail menu