Sip Different: Raising a Glass To Zero-Proof Drinks
Central Oregon loves a good shake-up, and what’s in the cocktail glass is no exception. Zero-proof drinks are no longer the wallflowers of the menu. They’re unapologetically bold, with flavor that doesn’t just show up—it owns the room. These drinks aren’t about what’s missing, they’re about what’s possible. Crafted to celebrate connection and creativity, they ensure no one misses out on life’s moments or wakes up Googling “how to cure a hangover in five minutes.”
High Desert Hideaway: The Dez
By day, Palate coffee fuels Bend’s caffeine faithful. But when the clock strikes five, the space transforms into The Dez, a low-lit, zero-proof cocktail lounge that’s part eclectic hangout, part global escape, part your best friend’s living room. Think candles, world beats and cozy corners. The “Dez Den,” a velvet-draped nook, is perfect for intimate gatherings, while Foxtail Bakery desserts and local charcuterie add a bit of indulgence to the experience.
Owner Corrine Coxey’s vision started years ago as she filled notebooks with recipes, ideas and dreams that reimagined what “going out for a drink” could mean. At The Dez, there’s no FOMO. Every drink and detail is designed for connection, reminding folks that what matters most isn’t what’s missing — it’s what’s shared. The crowd-favorite Blue Guava Kava Colada is a burst of tropical joy. This mocktail is complete with coconut cream and vibrant blue spirulina, while the Lively Lavender serves sophistication in a coupe with Pentire Coastal Spritz, delicate herbs and a citrus twist. Served hot, the Elderberry Elixir is made from wild-foraged elderberries, ginger and other herbs and spices, and a dusting of cinnamon on the rim.
“We aren’t a sober bar,” Coxey said. “We’ve created a space where meaningful connections thrive — that just happens to not serve alcohol.”
Cool Grandma Energy: Gigi’s
Walking into Gigi’s feels like stepping into a grandma’s house — if she were impossibly cool and swapped the candy dish for Ayurvedic elixirs.
“We wanted to design a space where people feel cared for, where every drink has a story and a purpose,” said owner Emma Thompson, an Ayurvedic practitioner and the creative mind behind Gigi’s.
Tucked inside the Pantry in Bend, this weekend bar is cozy and warm, much like its muse, Thompson’s mother-in-law “Gigi,” whose joyful wisdom inspired the space’s name and energy.
At its heart, Gigi’s is a love letter to Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medical system that balances the body through a deeper understanding of the five elements—earth, fire, water, air and space. Each drink is crafted with these elements in mind, landing somewhere on a spectrum of cooling to heating, grounding to uplifting. The Blushing Babushka, a rosy twist on a White Russian, calms the nerves with vitality-boosting collagen, cardamom, and activated charcoal. With saffron honey, citrus bitters and a subtle hint of Palo Santo, the Oh Beehave delivers all the flavor of a bourbon sour—minus the booze. For something more cozy, the Gam Gam reimagines the Painkiller with housemade chai syrup, coconut milk, pineapple and Anima Mundi Cerebrum, a memory-enhancing herbal tonic. “Our drinks are meant to be a meaningful experience in themselves and are served with a poem to share their origin story,” Thompson reflected.
“Chill” as a Secret Ingredient: Hosmer Bar
Hosmer Bar, located in Bend’s Waypoint Hotel, brings zero-proof drinks to the forefront in a reimagined, inclusive hotel bar experience. Owner Mike Aldridge saw a glaring lack of effort and creativity in alcohol-free options and decided to change the narrative: Every drink at Hosmer Bar begins as zero-proof, with the option to add booze. A subtle flip of the script places nondrinkers at the center, offering cocktails crafted with the same care as their boozy counterparts. “It’s not about what’s left out,” said Aldridge. “A great zero-proof cocktail is all about what you put in.”
Fresh-squeezed juices, housemade syrups and a rotating menu of specials highlight Hosmer Bar’s creativity and bold experimentation. The Cultus Lake Caipirinha is a bright, refreshing mix of strawberry, balsamic reduction, basil and sparkling water, and the Green Lakes Jalapeño Margarita cranks up the heat with muddled jalapeños and zero-proof tequila. For something different (that also feels familiar), the Smoky Old Fashioned features woodchip-smoked zero-proof whiskey with a depth that rivals the real thing.
Hosmer’s centerpiece — a stunning 16-foot epoxy and maple wood bar shaped like its namesake lake — is designed for gathering and connection. The vibe is no fuss, all chill — think lingering with friends, not rushing for last call. Pair a spicy margarita with a Deluxe Boi burger from the MidCity SmashedBurger truck parked outside, and the night feels complete.
More Sip-Worthy Spots
Restaurants and bars across Central Oregon are reimagining what a drink can be. At Lady Bird Cultural Society, prohibition-era cocktails get a zero-proof glow-up with creations like the Never Been to Spain. This mocktail is crafted with alcohol-free gin, cucumber, citrus and DRAM adaptogenic soda, and the Milan Darling, a sparkling blend of Wilderton aperitivo, roasted pineapple, lime and a splash of NA prosecco. Redmond’s Terra Kitchen brings the flair with drinks like the Neruda. It’s a tangy-sweet mix of fresh lime, house grenadine, cinnamon syrup and bubbles. For beer lovers, Crux Fermentation Project’s hop-forward NØ MØ beer lineup includes the River Refresher IPA and Sunset Summit Hazy IPA. Spork spins global inspiration into sippable art with original cocktails like the Thai Kondo. This is a zesty mix of cucumber, lemongrass and mint, and the Spice Queen, made with strong black tea, lemon, Morita chili and other tongue-tingling spices—a punchy reminder that zero-proof is anything but zero flavor.
