Non-alcoholic drinks in Westchester are Jeanne Muchnick's 'Best Thing' this week

Who knew I'd be so enamored with non-alcoholic beverages? But at Boro6 Wine Bar in Hastings-on-Hudson, the "Sans Alcohol" list is just as long as the restaurant's alcoholic offerings — and taken just as seriously.

The Thomson & Scott Noughty Rosé is the best thing I drank this week. I also was super impressed with the IPA Run Wild — on draft! — which tasted very close to the real thing.

Also popular: their "Shhh Negroni," (with Ritual Zero Proof Gin Alternative, Roots Diving Rosso non-alcoholic vermouth and orange non-alcoholic spirit); their "Spry Spritz" (with Thomson & Scott Dealcoholized Sparkling Chardonnay, Lyres Italian Orange Non-Alcoholic Spirit and club soda) and their "Not Gin & Tonic" (with Ritual Zero Proof Gin Alternative, Fever Tree Tonic Original).

Of course I had to pair them with food. The restaurant is big on small plates and sharing, in addition to larger portions. Gambas al ajillo always hit the spot as does the Arancini Cacio e Pepe (risotto balls with pecorino romano) and the selection of cheeses, cured meats and sausages with olive oil-drizzled Sullivan Street baguette. I also enjoyed the white bean puree with pickled onion, rosemary oil, and crostini, their woodland scallops (with roasted cauliflower puree) and am a forever fan of their deviled eggs.

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Owner Paul Molakides has been in the hospitality business for more than 20 years and knows the importance of putting guests first. He started his non-alcoholic program when he was participaing in Dry January three years ago but got more serious about it in October 2022 when he gave up alcohol altogether.

So, he began educating himself and investigating options to find the best alternative solutions. "I wanted to offer people something other than iced tea, cranberry juice and Sprite," he said.

Finding the Thomson & Scott Noughty Rosé, which pops, fizzes and sparkles like a champagne (and tastes just as good, without the hangover) was a real gem, he said. And I agree.

Once he introduced me to it, I became entranced with a capital "e." I dine out a lot, much of it midweek, so having a beverage that still feels like I'm a grown-up but scratches that itch of having an "adult beverage" (while my friend maybe has wine) makes sense.

These are sophisticated drinks that Molakides has put a lot of thought and energy into. Which is why he's not a fan of the term mocktails. "I think sans alcohol sounds more serious and you don't feel so silly drinking them," he said. "Not that anyone should feel silly. But some people already feel the stigma of being the one who's ordering cranberry juice so why not make everyone feel more like an adult?"

He's so mindful about pleasing his guests that the sans alcohol list is on the other side of the dinner menu so those who may not want their dining companion to know they're not drinking alcohol can point out their order to their server and when the drink comes, decked out and looking like the real thing, no one will ever know.

If you go

Address: 549 Warburton Ave., Hastings-On-Hudson, 914-231-9200, boro6winebar.com

Hours: noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday; to 4 p.m. Friday and also 5 to 9:30 p.m.; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. to 9:30; from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

Good to know: Non-alcoholic wines range from 20 to 25 calories; the beer is from 65 to 95.

Have a "Best Thing I Ate" suggestion?

Have a fave spot you want me to check out? Email [email protected].

Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Hold the alcohol: Muchnick's Best Thing I Ate is actually a drink