Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the 1862 Franco-Mexican War. Known as the Battle of Puebla Day, it is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, but has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage in the United States.

While I have certainly celebrated with margaritas in the past, I now find myself looking for tasty NA alternatives. 

If you’re also planning to skip the booze at this year’s Cinco de Mayo Fiesta (or anytime, really), you’re not missing out—in fact, I think you’re tapping into something pretty exciting. Oregon is full of creative non-alcoholic (NA) drink makers that are turning heads and winning fans with every sip. From rich porters to botanical spirits, here are some local favorites worth checking out and supporting:

NA Beers & Breweries

  • Deschutes Brewery (Bend) – Their Black Butte Non-Alcoholic is an award-winning NA version of their classic porter. Rich, roasty, and full of flavor.
  • Heck Brewing (Portland) – Offers a solid lineup of NA beers, including a tasty IPA and a golden ale. Find them in bottle shops and restaurants around town.
  • Roaming Nobles Brewing Co. (Portland) – Oregon’s first 100% NA brewery, crafting traditional-style brews inspired by German techniques.
  • Crux Fermentation Project (Bend) – Their Nø Mø NA beer line includes a citrusy IPA and hazy IPA with only 30 calories per can.
  • 10 Barrel Brewing Company (Bend) – Recently introduced a full-flavored, alcohol-free IPA to their lineup, joining the growing NA trend.

Zero-Proof Spirits & Cocktail Alternatives

  • Wilderton (Hood River) – Creates zero-proof botanical spirits that stand on their own—no need to mimic alcohol when you’ve got this much flavor.  Here are a couple mouth watering mocktail recipes from them!  
  • Freeland Spirits (Portland) – While known for traditional spirits, they’ve developed low- and no-proof mixers and are NA cocktail-friendly.
  • Ever After (Portland – Coming Soon) – A non-alcoholic bottle shop and tasting bar in the works, planning to feature NA spirits, beers, and mixers from local and national brands.  I love this idea! They are currently looking for funding – click HERE to support them.

Kombucha, Tea & RTDs (Ready-To-Drink)

  • Camellia Grove Kombucha (Portland) – Small-batch kombucha that shows up often at local NA bars and events. Tangy, refreshing, and brewed with care.
  • Steven Smith Teamaker (Portland) – Known for their artisan teas, which bartenders love to use in mocktails and NA cocktails all over the city.
  • Portland Bottling Company (Clackamas) – behind the scenes but super important—they help produce a range of ready-to-drink NA beverages, from juices to energy drinks.

And for those without parties already on the books, the Portland Cinco de Mayo Fiesta runs May 2–5, 2025, with live music, performances, food, and family-friendly activities. Highlights include 23 performances, featuring Mariachi Ciudad de Guadalajara and Ballet Folklórico México en La Piel. Attendees can enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine and explore handcrafted art at the Guadalajara Artisan Village, where Mexican artisans share their work. 

Enjoy!