A Toast Without the Booze San Diego’s Most Stylish Holiday Mocktails

Holiday entertaining no longer requires a fully stocked bar or a tolerance for tomorrow’s headache. Zero-proof cocktails have officially earned their place at the grown-up table, and San Diego’s top restaurants are proving that mocktails can be just as layered, elegant, and celebratory as their spirited counterparts. From rooftop views to Italian aperitivo culture and coastal California freshness, these three destinations are redefining what it means to sip smart this season.

Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails

Hotel Indigo San Diego – Gaslamp Quarter

Perched on the ninth floor of Hotel Indigo San Diego – Gaslamp Quarter, Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails, delivers panoramic downtown views that instantly elevate any holiday outing. Add in a thoughtfully curated mocktail menu, and this rooftop escape becomes the perfect place to toast without the booze.

Standouts include the Shady Springs, a tropical-leaning blend of Seedlip Notas de Agave, blood orange, coconut cream, and pineapple that feels indulgent without being heavy ($14). The Borrego Margarita, crafted with Seedlip, fresh lime, and agave, delivers the familiar bite and balance of a classic margarita—minus the alcohol and plus a little rooftop magic ($16).

It’s proof that mocktails don’t need to whisper; they can confidently take center stage, skyline views included.

Monello

Little Italy

Monello has long been known for its award-winning Italian cuisine and lively energy, and its zero-proof cocktails bring that same sense of Italian flair to the glass. Here, mocktails feel less like a substitution and more like a celebration of classic aperitivo culture.

Guests can sip the Sbagliato, made with pomegranate, orange juice, and non-alcoholic prosecco for a festive, bubbly finish. The Norita leans bright and refreshing with pineapple, Ritual non-alcoholic tequila, ginger, and lime, while the Crodino Spritz delivers all the bittersweet satisfaction of an Aperol Spritz—without the alcohol. For those with a sweet tooth, the Fragolino, crafted with house-made lemonade, demerara, and strawberry purée, feels playful, nostalgic, and undeniably holiday-ready.

This is zero-proof drinking with Italian confidence—no compromises, no apologies.

Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine & Serẽa Coastal Cuisine

Pendry San Diego & Hotel del Coronado

Clique Hospitality brings coastal sophistication to the mocktail scene at both Lionfish and Serẽa, where sea-to-table dining meets thoughtfully crafted zero-proof options that feel fresh, intentional, and distinctly Californian.

At Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine, the Cucumber Refresher combines house-made cucumber-honeydew juice, muddled mint, lime, and Fever-Tree Sparkling Cucumber for a crisp, palate-cleansing sip ($10). The aptly named No Proof, No Problem blends caramelized pineapple, Liquid Alchemist coconut syrup, lime, Red Bull Tropical, and Almave non-alcoholic tequila, creating a tropical-leaning mocktail that still feels polished ($10).

Over at Serẽa Coastal Cuisine, seasonal flavors take the spotlight. The Winter Spritz, made with apple spice, pear, and pomegranate, feels tailor-made for cooler evenings, while the Hibiscus Cooler offers a lightly sweetened floral base that’s both refreshing and elegant. For guests open to a low-ABV option, the Remix Perfect Paloma mixes Almave (0.5% ABV) with grapefruit and lime for a bright, coastal twist.

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