For many people, the holidays are a time of extra indulgence, social gatherings, and celebration, all of which can involve more imbibing than you’re used to or that feels healthy. Dry January offers an opportunity to reset and step away from alcohol for the month, which can do wonders for your health and give you a chance to re-examine your relationship with alcohol.
However, getting through Dry January can be challenging, particularly if you normally do a lot of social drinking or simply enjoy the taste of your favorite beer, wine, cocktail, or spirit. Even if you don’t feel you need the buzz associated with an alcoholic drink, there can be social pressures to have a drink when in the company of others who are drinking, and you may enjoy the ritual or flavors associated with a nice glass of wine or bottle of beer with dinner.
The good news is that some convincing non-alcoholic alternatives can substitute for your boozy favorites so that you can abstain from alcohol and embrace the healthy challenge of Dry January. Keep reading for our recommendations of the best Dry January drinks to enjoy; you may be surprised that a non-alcoholic drink tastes better and makes you feel better than your go-to boozy favorite.
Best non-alcoholic spirits: Ritual Zero Proof
You’ll do a double-take after you take a look at the label on a bottle of Ritual Zero Proof, shocked that it’s truly non-alcoholic. Not only do the sleek bottles resemble a nice bottle of alcohol, but each zero-proof spirit tastes nearly identical to its alcoholic counterpart. Available in gin, rum, tequila, and whiskey, Ritual Zero Proof is a perfect substitute for your favorite alcoholic drink, whether you enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail. Plus, not only are you sparing your liver the infusion of alcohol, but Ritual Zero Proof is also free from sugar and contains zero calories.
Best non-alcoholic beer: Athletic Brewing Company craft beer
Many guys love a cold beer after a long day at work or throwing back a few with buddies when watching the game on Sunday. The good news is that you won’t miss your normal ale with Athletic Brewing Company Craft Beers. These non-alcoholic beers are perfect for Dry January or any time you’re looking to cut calories and prioritize your health. The variety pack comes with All Out, Upside Dawn, Run Wild IPA, and Cerveza Atletica. All Out is a silky smooth and soul-warming, toasty stout with delicate notes of coffee and bittersweet chocolate. Upside Dawn and Cerveza Atletica are refreshing and light-bodied, while Run Wild is pleasantly bitter and malty. Each can have about 60-70 calories.
Best alcohol-removed wine: Fre
If a wine is truly non-alcoholic, it’s simply grape juice, but there are some alcohol-removed wines, which contain less than 1/2 of 1% APV. This is roughly the same amount of alcohol that is in kombucha and is fully compliant with the tenets of Dry January. Our recommendation is Fre Alcohol-Removed Wine, which is sourced from premium California vineyards and crafted using traditional winemaking practices. Each 8-ounce serving contains around 60 calories, less than 0.5% alcohol, and tons of full-bodied flavor. Fre comes in sparkling varieties along with a chardonnay, rose, Moscato, white zinfandel, merlot, red blend, and cabernet sauvignon.
Best non-alcoholic mocktails: Mocktails Uniquely Crafted Alcohol-Free Variety Pack
If you’re looking for simplicity and just want an easy, pre-made, non-alcoholic version of your favorite cocktail, try Mocktails Uniquely Crafted Alcohol-Free Variety Pack. This pack includes non-alcoholic mocktail versions of a cosmopolitan, a margarita, a sangria, and a Moscow Mule. Each variety in the variety pack is pleasantly sweet, yet they are free from high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors or flavors, preservatives, gluten, and animal products. The Seville Red Sangria, for example, is made with French, Italian, and Spanish wine grapes and the finest spices and botanicals, creating a sophisticated, complex beverage that transports you to a Spanish vineyard.
Best non-alcoholic spirits for amateur mixologists: Lyre’s
Lyre’s has a huge range of non-alcoholic spirits to satisfy just about any taste. With flavors ranging from American bourbon and gin to dark rum and absinthe, budding mixologists can create an almost infinite number of booze-free cocktails with the Lyer’s line. But what sets Lyre’s apart are the online tools it offers to help give your Dry January cocktails some variety. Lyre’s has an app for Amazon’s Alexa that allows you to ask Alexa how to make a non-alcoholic cocktail. Even cooler is Lyre’s “Impossible Bar,” which uses augmented reality technology to give you access to a virtual bartender on your smartphone for any mixology assistance you might need.
Best naturally non-alcoholic hydration beverage: ShineWater
Dry January is as much about health as the classic New Year’s resolution to lose weight. While you can choose one of the excellent non-alcoholic versions of typical boozy drinks on this list, don’t forget other naturally non-alcoholic drinks as well. Water, tea, coffee, and sparkling water are great options. To further support your health, consider nutrient-infused water, ShineWater. It’s the only ready-to-drink hydration beverage with 100% of the daily recommended vitamin D in each bottle, and it comes in six tasty flavors. ShineWater is perfect for Dry January when the sun exposure is naturally lacking, meaning your body is just craving a hefty boost of vitamin D.
Best non-alcoholic drink with added health benefits: KeVita Sparkling Probiotic Drink
Another healthy beverage to try in Dry January is KeVita Sparkling Probiotic Drink. These versatile beverages can be enjoyed on their own or mixed into probiotic-infused mocktails. For example, KeVita Lemon Ginger Sparkling Probiotic Drink pairs amazingly with pomegranate juice and will make a digestive-supportive elixir. There are a few refreshing flavors to choose from, including KeVita Sparkling Probiotic Refresher (ginger colada, lemon cayenne, lemon ginger, mango coconut, Mojita lime mint coconut, pomegranate, strawberry acai coconut, and tangerine) as well as Sparkling Probiotic Lemonade (classic, mango and peach). KeVita also offers herbal spritzers in three flavors (chamomile lavender, peach elderflower, and orange sage).
