back, has a few spirit-free options: agua fresca, forest bath and mercury lemonade. The cherry on the top is a nonalcoholic Sharkbite (it comes with a shark gummy) from Sea Root in the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa. It’s a trifecta of color, flavor and whimsical fun. While a tour of Monterey provides plenty of options, one is similarly not mocktail-limited in Carmel. A couple of examples illustrate the point. The Michelin-starred restaurant Chez Noir is also proud of its mocktails, and the bar shows the same care in sourcing ingredients as the kitchen. Orange Spritz brings chai spices and ginger beer together for a deft treat. White grapefruit shrub is a bracing refresher with lime leaf and mint. At the hidden gem Shearwater Tavern in Carmel, the signature Zero Gravity features seedlip spice, orange and plum bitters, along with tonic water and mint. It’s harder to find a mocktail in Seaside, where the brewery vibe dominates. To try local nonalcoholic beer visit a location of Alvarado Street Brewery—in Monterey, Carmel or two spots in Salinas. Speaking of Salinas, the best mocktails are offered by Villa Azteca, which many rate as the top modern Mexican restaurant in the county. One can find spritzer jars in various flavors—cranberry tajín, jalapeño and lime, cucumber and mint or strawberry and mint. It’s clear there are fresh and interesting flavors available, even when mocktails are outnumbered by cocktails. Still, it’s a great departure from the decades when variations on lemonade or the Shirley Temple were the only nonalcoholic mixed drinks around. 44 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® EAT + DRINK 2024-2025 THE MONTEREY PENINSULA’S MOST RECOMMENDED PIZZERIA ’98-’23 BEST PIZZA 3 BLOCKS UP FROM CANNERY ROW/AQUARIUM AFFORDABLE FAMILY DINING Pizza • Pasta • Ravioli • Calzones • Salads Great Italian Sandwiches Gelato • Delicious Desserts BANQUET ROOM • FULL COCKTAIL BAR OPEN MON-THUR 4PM • FRI 3PM • SAT & SUN 12PM Call ahead for take-out service 649-1500 725 Lighthouse Avenue Monterey Gianni’s Pizza Family Owned & Operated Since 1974 ’15 BEST FAMILY RESTAURANT ’17 BEST PLACE FOR A BIRTHDAY PARTY Gianni's_1-3s_ED24_dg.indd 1 4/17/24 3:37 PM ALSO SERVING Lots of dippin’ dots flavors! dippin-dots_1-3s_VG23_gk.indd 1 6/14/23 4:12 PM 44.indd 1 4/18/24 4:44 PM
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