Richardson | April 2025

Dining

BY KAREN CHANEY

Beyond the Bar serves non-alcoholic cocktails When Richardson residents Reid and Julie Robinson opened Beyond the Bar in downtown Richardson in 2023, they did so with decades of bar ownership experience. Although this business model is also drink-centric, there is a signicant dierence— the cocktails are non-alcoholic and zero-proof. “I stopped drinking in 2021 for health reasons, I went cold turkey and went through a program,” Reid said. “We still owned a bar and started experimenting with mocktails.” Looking for a libation? Julie, the mixologist, has created a variety of zero-proof and non-alcoholic cocktails, and mocktails, which are served at Beyond the Bar both in-house and at popup events. “A lot of people use the blanket term ‘mocktails,’ but mocktails typically are very high in sugar, and a lot of people that come to us are looking to lead a healthier lifestyle,” Julie said. “I make a really good mocktail, but my mocktails are not super sugary. We’re making non-alcoholic and zero- proof cocktails, which are layered drinks.” Julie said non-alcoholic drink ingredients had alcohol at one time but the alcohol was ltered out and a touch of alcohol, about 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV), remains. “That’s the same amount you get in a kombucha or a glass of orange juice,” she said. “So I equate it to decaf coee, because decaf coee has just a touch of caeine in it.” Zero-proof products never had any alcohol in it to begin with, but the avors are layered together to create a avor prole.

Blueberry Moon Shrub ($10) and classic margarita ($10) are top sellers at Beyond the Bar.

PHOTOS BY KAREN CHANEYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Reid, center, and Julie Robinson opened Beyond the Bar. Ralphie Lopez is the creative consultant and mixology instructor.

Beyond the Bar features tiki themed decor and drink options like Saturn ($10) with Ritual zero proof gin.

101 S. Sherman St., Ste. B, Richardson www.beyondthebar.square.site

Beyond the Bar sells a variety of pre-packaged non- alcoholic and zero-proof items.

CURRY • BIRYANI • DOSA • KABOBS • INDO-CHINESE

10% O Any Order Use code BAWARCHICI10 for online orders Proudly serving delicious Indian food in Richardson since 2014

1801 N Greenville Ave., Ste. 250 • In the Shops at Eastside • 972-474-8844

RICHARDSON EDITION