Veganuary at Wahaca

Begin the year in mindfully delicious style with new vegan specials and a collection of temptingly tasty but totally alcohol-free cocktails, making their debut at Wahaca from January 1st. Whether you’re driven by resolutions or just keen to cut back on booze and enjoy more plant-based dining in the New Year, the Mexican-inspired restaurant group’s locations across the UK are the place to go for a virtuous but mouth-watering start to 2025.

A marvellously moreish new special that’s not only perfect to cut through the January gloom but is just the ticket for anyone embarking on Veganuary – introducing the Mushroom carnitas tostada (£7.50). A satisfying, totally plant-based take on classic Mexican carnitas, this version replaces the meat with King Oyster and chestnut mushrooms that are cooked, pulled and served atop a velvety, house-made cashew crema on two crisp corn tortillas. This dish is packed full of flavour – fresh, zingy and robustly rich all at once. And on the topic of vegan tostadas, the Beet Tartare (£6.50), which made its debut for Wahaca’s Day of the Dead celebrations, is sticking around for Veganuary. It brings to the table two tortillas laden with Riverford Organic beetroot, salsa macha, freshly-grated horseradish and avocado cream.

Vegan (and vegan-curious) visitors to Wahaca can also choose from a whole host of vibrant and delicious dishes from the wider menu – from Black bean or Mushroom quesadillas, oozing with vegan cheese (from £6.75), to a show-stopping sharing plate of Roast Riverford Organic squash (£15.95), served with salsa macha and a choice of rice or tortillas. And vegans with a sweet tooth won’t miss out on dessert, as Wahaca’s classic Churros (£6.75) are now available with a dairy-free dark chocolate sauce for decadent dipping.

With today’s plentiful booze-free options, reducing your alcohol intake doesn’t mean compromising on taste – and more so than ever at Wahaca. With a revamped menu of non-alc cocktails there’s an array of delicious options to please all palates, including a new addition for Dry January 2025 in the form of the Passion Fruit & Pineapple Picante (£5.50). Served straight up, it’s a fiery and fruity number that’s shaken with fresh chilli and coriander. And 2024’s non-alc cocktail special the Blackberry Sour (£5.50) proved so popular with mocktail fans that it’s become a permanent presence on the Wahaca menu. Combining blackberry, basil, apple cider vinegar, avocado leaf and rosemary it’s smooth and sumptuous but with a striking sharpness. Perfect choices for those craving the taste and complexity of traditional cocktails but without a drop of alcohol.