Dry January Mocktails

Cocktails, Craft Beer, & Wine

Dry January Mocktails

Dry January Mocktails

Dry January is the time for mocktails and a challenge to abstain from alcohol for one month.

Alcohol Change UK launched this public health initiative in 2013 to challenge citizens to remove alcohol from their diet for 31 days. It’s for anyone concerned they may be drinking too much or for anyone looking to start the year off healthier.

Regardless of the reason you may choose to participate, there are quite a few benefits from taking just one month away from our favorite beverages.

If you haven’t started the challenge, it’s not too late. Many people partake in Dry-ish January. You can set goals like not drinking on weekdays, cutting your weekly alcohol consumption in half, or only drinking at special events.

 

Benefits

Save Money: Let’s face it, a glass of wine every night can add up pretty quickly. Taking a month off is a great way to save a little cash after the holidays.

 

Sleep Better: While having an alcoholic beverage before bed may help you fall asleep quicker, it’s been proven your quality of sleep diminishes when drinking. Taking a month off can help you catch up on rest.

 

Lose Weight: Is your new year’s resolution to get in shape? A good way to start is by cutting out empty calories – those things that don’t quite fill us up but have high-calorie counts, like alcohol.

 

Gain Energy: Studies have shown that because cutting out alcohol provides you with a better night’s sleep, energy and focus increase as well.

 

 

Peaceful Paloma made with lime juice, grapefruit juice, honey syrup, soda water, and a salt rim. Available at City Works, Old Town Pour House, and Sweetwater.

Tips to Succeed 

Track how much money you save: Document how much money you save by not buying your favorite alcoholic beverages in January. You might be surprised how much you save. If you choose to, you can use that money to buy yourself a nice reward at the end of the month.

 

Sip your drinks out of a wine or fun cocktail glass: Call it a placebo effect but drinking sparkling water out of a wine glass just feels good.

 

Experiment with new drinks: Try making a mocktail, smoothie, or tea to replace your go-to alcohol.

 

 

Strawberry Soothe Mocktail

Strawberry Soothe made with strawberries, lime juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and a splash of lemon-lime soda. Available at City Works, Old Town Pour House, and Sweetwater.

Mocktails to Try

Strawberry Soothe (Sold at City Works, Old Town Pour House and Sweetwater) 

  • 2 oz diced strawberries
  • 1/4 oz lime juice
  • 1/4 oz lemon juice
  • 1 oz simple syrup
  • splash of lemon-lime soda
  • splash of club soda

Instructions: Fill a shaker with ice. Add strawberries, juices and simple syrup. Shake vigorously. Strain into glass. Add ice to fill. Top with a splash of lemon-lime soda and club soda.

Cucumber Cure 

  • 2 oz Seedlip Garden 108
  • 3/4 oz simple syrup
  • 1/2 oz lime juice
  • 3 cucumber slices
  • 5 mint leaves
  • 1 oz ginger beer

Instructions: Muddle cucumber slices and mint leaves in a cocktail shaker. Add Seedlip Garden, simple syrup, and lime juice. Add ice. Shake vigorously. Strain into salted 1/2 rim Rocks glass filled with ice. Top with Ginger Beer.

Mojito Sans Alcohol 

  • 1 lime
  •  Mint leaves
  • 1 oz lime juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • 4 oz club soda
  • Ice

Instructions: Add mint leaves, lime juice, and simple syrup to your glass. Muddle the mint leaves, add your ice and top it off with club soda.

Strawberry Mule

  • 1 oz strawberry puree
  • 1 oz lime juice
  • 4 oz ginger beer
  • 2 oz club soda
  • Ice

Instructions: Mix all ingredients and enjoy.

 

*If you would rather someone else make your mocktail, stop by a Bottleneck restaurant.

However you choose to do it, we wish you luck! To help, here’s a playlist to listen to on those sober days. Cheers!