Exclusive | NYCs mocktail scene is exploding beyond Dry January and people are willing to pay

Mocktails have non-drinking New Yorkers feeling high-spirited.There’s been an explosion of nonalcoholic cocktails in the Big Apple recently — and it’s not just for Dry January when the health-conscious trade their elixirs for Equinox.

From those participating in dry January to the year-round sober curious, 48% of Americans are interested in drinking less alcohol in the new year, according to Open Table.But Big Apple residents hoping to imbibe without getting intoxicated are demanding more than just a splash of grenadine in their sodas when clicking glasses with pals — and they’re willing to pay for it, too.“Mocktails are no longer just substitutes — they’re a sophisticated choice in their own right,” said Dimitrios Michalopoulos, General Manager of Bemelmans Bar, where some options cost nearly $40.“You don’t want to reduce your experience just because there isn’t a nonalcoholic option that’s on the same level,” Hilary Sheinbaum, the founder of GoingDry.co and the author of “The Dry Challenge,” told The Post.

“You want something that is going to balance out your palate to have the same quality and sophisticated experience as the people around you.” Sheinbaum said that while folks indeed “reconsider their drinking habits” as part of the growing-in-popularity Dry January tradition, it’s extended beyond the first month of the year.And bars have kept tabs, which is why many have begun to offer more than just Shirley Temples and juices year-round.“Now menus are more inclusive every month of the year, not just January,” she said.Thus, bars that charge $25 minimum for a martini have discovered tony New Yorkers are willing to pay as much for creative mocktails, too.“New York is a place where if you want something you’re going to get it,” Sheinbaum said.So, raise a glass (that doesn’t contain alcohol), and let’s dive into some of the city’s best mocktail options from under $10 to nearly $30.

“New York leads the ch...