So, a guy walks into a bar.

(And he’d rather not order another ginger ale.)

The story so far

Cocktail bars are awesome. Cozy, classy, comfortable. I even lived above a hotel in Chicago for a year, with direct elevator access to one of the best in the city. It was incredible. But like an increasing number of people, I stopped drinking alcohol a while ago. It wasn’t a huge thing - no rock bottom moment or grand realization - it just wasn’t for me anymore. And it’s been (mostly) great. I sleep like a champ, I’m feeling calm and clear, life is good. The (mostly) part: non-alcoholic options on bar menus often suck.

What if they didn’t? I still want to go grab a fun drink with friends, or have a creative, seasonal cocktail in a cozy place before dinner. Let’s figure out how to make that happen.

The Still Bar (n):

“Still” as in:

  • Peace & calm

  • Still great cocktails, even without alcohol

  • The thing that distills (wordplay!)

That’s the vision behind The Still Bar. We’re going to build the killer cocktail bar you want to hang out in, with a rotating menu of inventive, seasonal drinks inspired by our partners at several Michigan farms and local growers. We’re focused primarily on making excellent, perfectly balanced cocktails. They just happen to be alcohol free.

It’s going to take a minute. We’ve got some stuff to learn along the way. We’re starting small and scaling from there. Up first: perfecting recipes and bottling our zero-proof cocktails for sale at farmer’s markets, local events, and specialty grocers across Southeast Michigan. We’ll also take direct orders online. We’re not open just yet, but working toward a summer 2025 launch.

By the way, I’m Nate. I’m a research scientist in Ann Arbor, and this is my next adventure. Below, you’ll find regular updates as we grow this thing. It’s a big project and we’re going to have a good time.

The Still Bar The Still Bar

Hosting Without the Hangover: How to Stock a Nonalcoholic Bar Cart

There’s something magnetic about a well-stocked bar cart. It sets the tone for celebration, hospitality, and care — even when there’s no alcohol involved. At The Still Bar, we believe that offering zero-proof options isn’t just thoughtful. It’s essential.

Whether you're sober, sober-curious, or just want your guests to feel seen, here’s how to build a nonalcoholic bar cart that’s stylish, satisfying, and full of flavor.

1. Start With Bottled Zero-Proof Cocktails

Skip the syrups and mixers. Bottled nonalcoholic cocktails make hosting effortless and elegant. Our lineup includes drinks that are complex, balanced, and ready to pour — no shaking required.

Stock your cart with:

👉 Browse the full zero-proof cocktail collection →

2. Add Beautiful Glassware

Even the most casual drink feels elevated in the right glass. Include:

  • Rocks glasses for over-ice pours

  • Coupes or Nick & Nora glasses for something more celebratory

  • Reusable straws or fancy ice cubes for extra flair

Presentation matters — and when there’s no alcohol involved, aesthetics help create the same sense of ritual and occasion.

3. Include Simple Garnishes

You don’t need a full garnish station, but a few thoughtful touches go a long way:

  • Citrus wedges or twists (grapefruit, orange, lime)

  • Fresh herbs like basil, mint, or rosemary

  • A salt or sugar rimmer

  • Dehydrated fruit slices for visual pop

These elevate your pours and let guests customize their drinks.

4. Offer Sparkling Water and Tonics

Not every guest will want a cocktail, so stock a few high-quality bubbles:

  • Mineral or sparkling water

  • Zero-proof tonics or botanical sodas

  • Ice-cold cans for easy grab-and-go refreshment

This adds variety and gives guests the option to create their own spritz.

5. Make It Visible and Welcoming

Your bar cart should invite curiosity, not feel like the “kids’ table.” Display bottles prominently, style them with intention, and keep glassware clean and ready. Include a sign or menu card to describe what’s available, or even note suggested garnishes.

Final Sip

A nonalcoholic bar cart doesn’t have to feel like a compromise. When it’s done right, it adds elegance, ease, and inclusivity to your next gathering.

Stock up on seasonal bottled cocktails, pour over ice, and give your guests a drink they’ll remember — no hangover required.

👉 Build your bar cart with The Still Bar →

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The Still Bar The Still Bar

The Best Nonalcoholic Cocktails for Summer, Inspired by Michigan’s Harvest

There’s nothing quite like a Michigan summer — long golden evenings, farm stands in full swing, and the simple joy of a cold drink in hand. At The Still Bar, we bottle the flavors of the season into zero-proof cocktails that feel just as festive as their boozy counterparts, without the hangover or haze.

If you're looking to stock your cooler or bar cart with something refreshing, vibrant, and alcohol-free, here are the best nonalcoholic cocktails for summer, straight from our seasonal lineup.

1. Roasted Blueberry + Basil Margarita

🍇 Fresh-picked blueberries, charred for depth. Basil for brightness. All tied together with fresh lime and our housemade zero-proof tequila.

This isn't your average marg. The Roasted Blueberry + Basil Margarita is smoky, herbaceous, and tart — made for warm nights on the patio, with or without a salted rim.

Serve it with: Tacos, grilled corn, or a late-summer tomato salad
Order a bottle →

2. Dry Hopped Paloma

🍊 Citrusy and complex, this Paloma gets a bitter edge from dry hopping — giving it an almost IPA-like finish, but without the booze.

Made with grapefruit, lime, and a hint of salt, the Dry Hopped Paloma is endlessly crushable and perfect for the beer drinker who’s exploring alcohol-free options.

Serve it with: Fish tacos, ceviche, or anything you’d eat lakeside
Try it here →

3. Cherry Negroni

🍒 Tart Michigan cherries meet bitter herbs and burnt orange. The result is bold, structured, and perfect for sipping slowly.

This drink was made for sunset. The Cherry Negroni balances sweet and bitter with precision, making it a favorite for fans of spirit-forward cocktails who still want to feel sharp and present.

Serve it with: Marinated olives, aged cheese, or grilled mushrooms
Get yours →

Why These Work So Well in Summer

Each of our cocktails is designed to reflect the season. That means:

  • Fresh produce sourced at its peak

  • Bright, refreshing acidity to cut through the heat

  • Low sugar and no artificial flavors so you feel good after sipping

  • Zero alcohol to keep you hydrated and clear-headed

Whether you're planning a dinner party, hosting a picnic, or simply want something grown-up to sip after work, our summer lineup gives you options that are easy to serve and even easier to enjoy.

Stock Up While They’re in Season

These flavors are bottled in small batches and won’t be around forever. When the harvest changes, so do our drinks.

Shop the Summer Collection →
Or learn more about how we bottle the seasons.

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The Still Bar The Still Bar

What Is a Zero-Proof Cocktail? (And Why You’ll Love It)

Move over, mocktails. Zero-proof cocktails are here, and they’re anything but watered down.

At The Still Bar, we craft nonalcoholic cocktails that celebrate Michigan’s vibrant harvests. Bottled, balanced, and ready to pour, our drinks offer the flavor complexity of a craft cocktail, without the booze. But what exactly is a zero-proof cocktail, and how is it different from other alcohol-free options?

Zero-Proof Defined

A zero-proof cocktail is a drink that’s crafted like a traditional cocktail – with layered flavors, balance, and intentionality – but made entirely without alcohol. Unlike juice or soda, a true zero-proof cocktail has depth. Think of it as a sophisticated beverage experience that just happens to be alcohol-free.

Not Just a Mocktail

The term "mocktail" has been around for decades, but it often implies something less than a real drink – a sugary substitute or an afterthought on a menu. Zero-proof cocktails reject that idea. They're made with the same care, creativity, and palate awareness as traditional cocktails, just without the alcohol.

Our drinks are:

  • Balanced: Bright acid, bitter elements, herbaceous notes, and a touch of sweetness

  • Bottled: No shaker or garnish needed, just pour and enjoy

  • Seasonal: Crafted in small batches using peak-season Michigan ingredients

Why Go Zero-Proof?

Whether you're sober, sober-curious, or just cutting back, there are plenty of reasons to choose a zero-proof drink:

  • No hangover

  • Better hydration and fewer empty calories

  • More inclusive gatherings where everyone gets a real drink

  • Mindful rituals without the side effects

Meet Our Bottled Zero-Proof Cocktails

Each of our bottled cocktails is carefully developed to evoke a sense of place, season, and celebration – without relying on alcohol to carry the flavor.

Here are a few you might love:

How to Enjoy

  • Pour over ice

  • Garnish if you like (a sprig of mint, a citrus wedge, or a salt rim goes a long way)

  • Sip slowly. These are meant to be savored

Final Sip

Zero-proof isn’t about restriction. It’s about intention. At The Still Bar, we believe you deserve something better than a “mocktail.” You deserve a real drink, thoughtfully crafted and full of flavor, just without the alcohol.

Ready to stock your bar cart? Shop the latest seasonal releases.

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The Still Bar The Still Bar

Support our Launch

In the weeks since we announced The Still Bar, the support has been overwhelming. So many people have pitched in through product testing and development, social sharing, and business planning. We’ve also heard a lot of requests for ways to offer more direct support as we get up and running. Thank you SO much. This is a new thing we’re building from the ground up and your support means the world.

By popular request, we’ve launched a Patreon membership option to give you a chance to help support The Still Bar and our initial development. In return, you’ll get exclusive access to regular updates as we grow, member discounts on merch, and invitations to sampling opportunities as we continue product development.

We’re heading toward opening day, and this is one of the best ways you can support that goal. The other? Share The Still Bar on social media: https://www.instagram.com/the.still.bar

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The Still Bar The Still Bar

Let’s do this

We’re building a new kind of cocktail bar and bottle shop with two main characteristics:

We’re building a new kind of cocktail bar and bottle shop with two main characteristics:

  1. Perfect, interesting cocktails that spotlight Michigan produce and farms in creative, delicious ways

  2. A cozy, classy place where you want to hang out for a while

And oh by the way, the menu is completely alcohol free. We’ve got a long road ahead and this is a wild idea. So here’s where things stand:

Right now, we’re doing a lot of recipe testing. We’ll be starting out with 3 options to begin - something replicating a classic, something dark & strong, and something bright and herbaceous. It’s a lot of time in the kitchen right now, working with fresh Michigan produce and seeing what happens if we experiment a little to develop various components. Think hops, cherries, lots of herbs, black tea, oak (not all in the same drink, btw). Commercial kitchen space is ready to go, and from there it’ll be a bit of time practicing and perfecting. We’re aiming for licensing and regulatory approval 🤞 in late spring/early summer, and once that’s handled we go to market.

I mean that literally - we’re starting small with bottle sales at farmer’s markets, local events, and perhaps a specialty grocer or two. The goal is to use 2025 as a learning year, perfect the process, and scale from there. That vision of a zero-proof cocktail bar is down the road a bit, but I like a big project. I’m going to write through the experience of starting this thing, so watch this space.

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