“Dry January” refers to the practice of giving up alcohol for the month of January. This challenge is often taken on as a way to reset after the excesses of the holiday season, or as a way to improve overall health and wellness. Some people also use Dry January as a way to save money or to test their relationship with alcohol.
Participants in Dry January often report feeling healthier and more energized as a result of giving up alcohol for a month. Some people also find that they sleep better and have more clarity of thought when they are not consuming alcohol. Additionally, abstaining from alcohol for a period of time can help people to better understand their own drinking habits and to make more mindful choices about alcohol consumption in the future.
Giving up alcohol can be challenging
While giving up alcohol can be challenging, especially for those who are used to having a drink or two on a regular basis, there are now many high-quality non-alcoholic alternatives available that can help make the transition easier. These non-alcoholic options include spirits, beer, and wine, and many of them are made with the same level of care and attention to detail as their alcoholic counterparts.
Some non-alcoholic spirits are made using the same botanical ingredients as their alcoholic counterparts, but the alcohol is removed through a distillation process. Non-alcoholic beer is made using the same brewing process as regular beer, but the alcohol is removed through a variety of techniques, such as evaporation or reverse osmosis. Non-alcoholic wine is made by removing the alcohol from regular wine, either through a process of distillation or by allowing the alcohol to evaporate naturally.
Overall, there are now many high-quality non-alcoholic alternatives available that can help make Dry January (or any alcohol-free period) more enjoyable and satisfying.
Popular Non-Alcoholic Spirits and Tastes
There are now many brands and flavors of non-alcoholic spirits available on the market, including gin, vodka, and whiskey.
One popular brand of non-alcoholic gin is Seedlip, which offers a variety of botanical-based flavors, such as Spice 94 and Garden 108. Another brand to try is Novo Fogo, which offers a non-alcoholic cachaça that is made using Brazilian sugarcane and natural spring water.
For non-alcoholic vodka, try Ceder’s, which is made using a blend of African botanicals and natural spring water. Another option is Lyre’s, which offers a variety of non-alcoholic spirits, including vodka, gin, and whiskey.
In the non-alcoholic whiskey category, there is a brand called Brave Bones that uses a blend of barrel-aged flavors and spices to create a complex, full-bodied non-alcoholic whiskey. Another option is Sans, which uses a blend of roasted grains and a variety of botanicals to create a non-alcoholic whiskey that is smooth and well-balanced.
| Brand | Flavor | Aromas | Flavors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seedlip | Spice 94 | Warm spice, citrus | Cardamom, allspice, grapefruit |
| Novo Fogo | Non-Alcoholic Cachaça | Fresh sugarcane, tropical fruit | Green apple, lime |
| Ceder’s | Non-Alcoholic Vodka | Citrus, herbs | Juniper, rosemary |
| Lyre’s | Vodka | Citrus, white pepper | Grapefruit, vanilla |
| Brave Bones | Non-Alcoholic Whiskey | Oak, vanilla | Toasted grains, caramel |
| Sans | Non-Alcoholic Whiskey | Roasted grains, spice | Toasted oak, vanilla |
Cocktail ideas for each of the non-alcoholic spirits
| Brand | Flavor | Cocktail Recipe |
|---|---|---|
| Seedlip | Spice 94 | Seedlip Spice 94 + tonic water + orange slice |
| Novo Fogo | Non-Alcoholic Cachaça | Novo Fogo Non-Alcoholic Cachaça + lime juice + simple syrup + mint leaves |
| Ceder’s | Non-Alcoholic Vodka | Ceder’s Non-Alcoholic Vodka + cranberry juice + lime juice |
| Lyre’s | Vodka | Lyre’s Vodka + tomato juice + Worcestershire sauce + spices |
| Brave Bones | Non-Alcoholic Whiskey | Brave Bones Non-Alcoholic Whiskey + ginger ale + bitters + orange peel |
| Sans | Non-Alcoholic Whiskey | Sans Non-Alcoholic Whiskey + orange juice + maple syrup + bitters |
There are many high-quality brands and flavors of non-alcoholic spirits available, including gin, vodka, and whiskey. Here are some top brands and flavors to consider:
- Gin: Seedlip offers a variety of botanical-based flavors, such as Spice 94 and Garden 108. Another brand to try is Novo Fogo, which offers a non-alcoholic cachaça that is made using Brazilian sugarcane and natural spring water.
- Vodka: Ceder’s is made using a blend of African botanicals and natural spring water. Lyre’s also offers a variety of non-alcoholic spirits, including vodka, gin, and whiskey.
- Whiskey: Brave Bones uses a blend of barrel-aged flavors and spices to create a complex, full-bodied non-alcoholic whiskey. Sans uses a blend of roasted grains and a variety of botanicals to create a non-alcoholic whiskey that is smooth and well-balanced.
Tasting notes:
- Seedlip Spice 94: Aromas of warm spice and citrus, with flavors of cardamom, allspice, and grapefruit.
- Novo Fogo Non-Alcoholic Cachaça: Aromas of fresh sugarcane and tropical fruit, with flavors of green apple and lime.
- Ceder’s Non-Alcoholic Vodka: Aromas of citrus and herbs, with flavors of juniper and rosemary.
- Lyre’s Vodka: Aromas of citrus and white pepper, with flavors of grapefruit and vanilla.
- Brave Bones Non-Alcoholic Whiskey: Aromas of oak and vanilla, with flavors of toasted grains and caramel.
- Sans Non-Alcoholic Whiskey: Aromas of roasted grains and spice, with flavors of toasted oak and vanilla.
Non-Alcoholic Beer
There are many brands and styles of non-alcoholic beer available on the market, including lagers, pilsners, and stouts. Here are a few top brands and flavors to consider:
- Lagers: Becks Non-Alcoholic is a classic, well-balanced lager with aromas and flavors of grains, hops, and citrus. Another option is O’Doul’s, which is a smooth, easy-drinking non-alcoholic lager.
- Pilsners: Heineken 0.0 is a crisp, refreshing pilsner with aromas and flavors of grains, hops, and citrus. Another option is Budweiser Prohibition, which is a non-alcoholic version of the classic American pilsner.
- Stouts: Guinness Zero is a non-alcoholic stout with aromas and flavors of roasted grains, chocolate, and coffee. Another option is Mikkeller Sobriety Series, which offers a variety of non-alcoholic stouts, including a chocolate stout and an oatmeal stout.
Tasting notes
| Brand | Style | Flavors |
|---|---|---|
| Becks | Non-Alcoholic Lager | Grains, hops, citrus |
| O’Doul’s | Non-Alcoholic Lager | Grains, hops |
| Heineken | 0.0 | Grains, hops, citrus |
| Budweiser | Prohibition | Grains, hops, citrus |
| Guinness | Zero | Roasted grains, chocolate, coffee |
| Mikkeller | Sobriety Series Chocolate Stout | Chocolate, coffee, roasted grains |
| Mikkeller | Sobriety Series Oatmeal Stout | Oats, chocolate, coffee |
Popular cocktails with non-alcoholic beer
- Becks Non-Alcoholic + lemon juice + simple syrup + basil leaves
- O’Doul’s + tomato juice + Worcestershire sauce + spices
- Heineken 0.0 + orange juice + grenadine + bitters
- Budweiser Prohibition + ginger ale + bitters + lemon wedge
- Guinness Zero + cold brew coffee + chocolate syrup + whipped cream
- Mikkeller Sobriety Series Chocolate Stout + milk + chocolate syrup + whipped cream
- Mikkeller Sobriety Series Oatmeal Stout + milk + maple syrup + cinnamon
These cocktails can be served over ice in a tall glass and garnished with additional herbs, spices, or citrus wedges as desired.
Best Non-Alcoholic Wines
There are many brands and styles of non-alcoholic wine available on the market, including red, white, and sparkling varieties. Here are a few top brands and flavors to consider:
- Red: Eisberg is a well-known brand of non-alcoholic red wine that offers a range of styles, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir. Another option is Ariel, which makes a non-alcoholic Pinot Noir that is full-bodied and well-balanced.
- White: Eisberg also offers a selection of non-alcoholic white wines, including Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Another brand to try is Fre, which makes a non-alcoholic Chardonnay that is crisp and refreshing.
- Sparkling: Eisberg makes a non-alcoholic sparkling wine that is light and bubbly, with aromas and flavors of citrus and apples. Another brand to try is Lyre’s, which offers a range of non-alcoholic sparkling wines, including a Brut and a Rosé.
| Brand | Style | Flavors |
|---|---|---|
| Eisberg | Cabernet Sauvignon | Red fruit, oak, spice |
| Eisberg | Merlot | Black fruit, oak, spice |
| Eisberg | Pinot Noir | Red fruit, oak, spice |
| Ariel | Pinot Noir | Red fruit, oak, spice |
| Eisberg | Chardonnay | Citrus, oak, vanilla |
| Fre | Chardonnay | Citrus, oak, vanilla |
| Eisberg | Sparkling Wine | Citrus, apples |
| Lyre’s | Brut | Citrus, apples |
| Lyre’s | Rosé | Red fruit, flowers |
Non-alcoholic wine is made by removing the alcohol from regular wine, either through a process of distillation or by allowing the alcohol to evaporate naturally. Many non-alcoholic wines are also sweetened to compensate for the lack of alcohol, which can give them a slightly different flavor profile compared to regular wine. Non-alcoholic wine can be enjoyed on its own or as an ingredient in cocktails and other mixed drinks.
What to try during Dry January
There are now many high-quality non-alcoholic options available for spirits, beer, and wine, which can make it easier to participate in Dry January or to cut back on alcohol consumption anytime. Some top brands and flavors to consider include:
- Non-alcoholic spirits: Seedlip, Novo Fogo, Ceder’s, Lyre’s, Brave Bones, Sans
- Non-alcoholic beer: Becks, O’Doul’s, Heineken 0.0, Budweiser Prohibition, Guinness Zero, Mikkeller Sobriety Series
- Non-alcoholic wine: Eisberg, Ariel, Fre, Lyre’s
These non-alcoholic options can be enjoyed on their own or as an ingredient in cocktails and other mixed drinks. Many people find that they feel healthier and more energized after giving up alcohol for a period of time, and non-alcoholic alternatives can help make the transition more enjoyable and satisfying. So why not give them a try during Dry January or anytime you want to cut back on alcohol consumption? You might be surprised at how good they can be!
FAQ
What to drink when doing Dry January?
When doing Dry January or cutting back on alcohol consumption, there are many non-alcoholic options available to choose from. Some popular options include Seedlip, Novo Fogo, Ceder’s, Lyre’s, Brave Bones, and Sans.
Does Dry January mean no alcohol?
Yes, “Dry January” generally refers to a month-long period in which people abstain from consuming any alcohol. The purpose of Dry January is to give the body a break from alcohol, which can have a range of negative health effects, such as disrupting sleep patterns, increasing the risk of certain cancers and other diseases, and interfering with weight loss and other health goals. Many people find that they feel healthier and more energized after giving up alcohol for a period of time, and Dry January is an opportunity to reset and start the year off on a healthy foot. However, it is up to each individual to decide how they want to participate in Dry January and what level of alcohol consumption is appropriate for them. Some people may choose to completely abstain from alcohol, while others may choose to cut back or limit their alcohol intake in other ways.
Is January a no drinking month?
While there is no official “no drinking month,” January is often associated with Dry January, a month-long period in which people abstain from consuming any alcohol. The purpose of Dry January is to give the body a break from alcohol, which can have a range of negative health effects, such as disrupting sleep patterns, increasing the risk of certain cancers and other diseases, and interfering with weight loss and other health goals.
Many people find that they feel healthier and more energized after giving up alcohol for a period of time, and Dry January is an opportunity to reset and start the year off on a healthy foot. However, it is up to each individual to decide how they want to participate in Dry January and what level of alcohol consumption is appropriate for them. Some people may choose to completely abstain from alcohol, while others may choose to cut back or limit their alcohol intake in other ways.
Do Adaptogen drinks work?
Yes. Adaptogen drinks are non-alcoholic beverages that are made with adaptogenic herbs, which are plants that are believed to help the body adapt to stress and promote overall health and well-being. The concept of adaptogens is based on traditional herbal medicine practices and the belief that certain herbs can help the body respond to physical, mental, and emotional stress in a more balanced and effective way.
There is some scientific evidence to support the use of adaptogenic herbs for certain health conditions, such as anxiety, fatigue, and stress-related disorders. However, the evidence is not strong enough to support widespread use of adaptogenic herbs as a general health tonic or to treat specific health conditions.
It is also important to note that the quality, purity, and effectiveness of adaptogen drinks can vary widely, and some products may not contain the ingredients or dosages claimed on the label. It is always a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement or herbal remedy, including adaptogen drinks.
What gives you a buzz like alcohol?
There is no substance that can replicate the effects of alcohol or provide the same type of “buzz” as alcohol. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that can produce a range of effects on the body, including relaxation, impaired judgment and coordination, and altered mood. Some people may try to use other substances, such as drugs or caffeine, to achieve a similar “buzz,” but these substances can have their own unique effects on the body and can also be dangerous when used improperly or in excess.
It is important to remember that there is no safe or healthy way to replicate the effects of alcohol or to achieve a similar “buzz.” The best way to maintain good health and well-being is to abstain from alcohol and other potentially harmful substances, and to make healthy lifestyle choices that support overall physical and mental health.
I’m Michael Barnes and I love what I do. Every day, I get to work with the land and help create something that is essential for life. But it’s not always easy. Every day brings new challenges or unexpected natural disasters in order to produce what we need every day: meat; fruit, juice, and healthy dairy products!
