Gone are the days when the non-drinker was relegated to a sugary consolation prize of juice or flavoured soda. The non-alcoholic drinks in Dubai have grown up, becoming an art form in their own right. From fine-dining pairings that rival the world’s best wine lists to zero-proof bars shaking things up, the city’s beverage scene has gone deliciously dry.
1. Sweet Leaves, Non-Alcoholic Rum, Blueberry, Vanilla & Cinnamon at La Dame de Pic Dubai
Raffles The Palm, Palm Jumeirah
At Anne-Sophie Pic’s Michelin-starred outpost, even the zero-proof options feel beautifully indulgent. Take the signature Sweet Leaves pairing. This concoction blends rich non-alcoholic rum with the sweet warmth of blueberry, vanilla, and cinnamon. What elevates it is the presentation, served in elegant stemware and poured with the ceremony of a fine wine, it delivers an aromatic, layered complexity that proves luxury dining doesn’t depend on alcohol. It’s an experience that respects the guest’s choice while fully embracing the formality of haute cuisine.
2. Spice Date Espresso Martini at NoLo
Dusit Thani Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road
NoLo, short for “No Alcohol, Low Worries”, is Dubai’s first fully alcohol-free bar and it takes its craft seriously. Their Spice Date Espresso Martini is the ultimate late-night swap. It maintains the essential kick and depth of the original by replacing the coffee liqueur with a non-alcoholic dark spirit base, enriched with smoky honey syrup, date essence, and aromatic bitters. The result is a smooth, surprisingly bold and subtly sweet concoction.
3. Tomato and Banana with Rosemary Distillate at Trèsind Studio
St. Regis Dubai, The Palm
At this two-Michelin-starred progressive Indian restaurant, the non-alcoholic pairing is a journey as ambitious as the tasting menu itself. Chef Himanshu Saini’s focus on complexity and technique shines in this unconventional pairing. The drink featuring tomato and banana elevated with rosemary distillate is a testament to culinary mixology. By using savoury, earthy and aromatic elements, the beverage acts as a liquid course, syncing perfectly with the boundary-pushing food.
4. Botanical Gin BKRY Sour at BKRY
Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz
Housed in the experimental art hub of Alserkal Avenue, BKRY takes the zero-waste philosophy from the oven to the glass. Departing from typical seltzer or juice bases, their signature BKRY Sour is built around an intricate botanical gin hydrosol base. This zero-proof spirit is house-made from handpicked ingredients, including those that would typically go to waste. Skillfully blended with clarifying elements like apple juice, an acid solution and honey syrup, the result is an astonishingly rich and complex flavour profile, delivering the same depth and complexity of a classic sour, minus the buzz.
5. Cold-Pressed Chardonnay with Oak Butter and Yoghurt Whey at Row on 45
Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah
At Chef Jason Atherton’s two-Michelin-starred venue, the 17-course tasting menu is accompanied by an equally elevated non-alcoholic pairing designed to mimic the mouthfeel and complexity of fine wine. The standout is the Cold-Pressed Chardonnay-inspired blend. By incorporating rich, smooth elements like oak butter and yoghurt whey, the beverage achieves a creamy finish and buttery texture that traditionally comes from white wine barrels. It’s an intellectual exercise in flavour that provides a genuinely complex, earthy, and satisfying counterpoint to the French haute cuisine.
6. Japanese Tropicana at Ken by Kamatsuda
The Edition Dubai
The Japanese Tropicana showcases how nuanced flavours can be layered to create a completely unique zero-proof profile. It departs from simple fruit juices by using a tea-based foundation, combining bright, acidic notes of yuzu juice and fresh passionfruit with the subtle, grassy aroma of green tea. The addition of orgeat (an almond syrup) and homemade peach jam lends a comforting richness and velvety mouthfeel, resulting in a complex, juicy and beautifully balanced non-alcoholic blend.
