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10 Mocktails to Get You Through Dry January
January is known for a few things: the season of resolutions, the beginning of a new year and, for many of us, a time to focus on healthier habits.
One healthy new year switch that’s gaining traction around the world is “Dry January.”
If you’re not familiar, Dry January is a one-month sobriety challenge that started as a public health initiative in the UK about eight years ago and has grown into a popular way for many in the US to begin the new year on a healthier note. In fact, according to surveys from food and drink research firm CGA, roughly 35% of legal-aged US adults participated in 2022. And that number is expected to grow.
While it can be difficult to give up alcohol, it doesn’t have to mean giving up your favorite drinks. Mocktails provide a delicious and refreshing alternative to traditional alcoholic beverages, so you can enjoy sipping without worrying about the effects of alcohol.
If you’re not yet convinced, read this guide to discover the benefits of participating in Dry January, tips on turning your favorite drinks into mocktails and a curated list of some of our favorite recipes to keep you inspired (and satisfied) all month long.
Hungry for more? Check out our full library of recipes for inspiration and tips and tricks from our resident chefs!
Benefits of Dry January
Dry January is an opportunity to reset your drinking habits and establish healthier patterns. According to a study published in the medical journal, BMJ Open, Dry January can help to reduce your overall alcohol consumption, improve your sleep, increase your energy levels and productivity, reduce your risk of developing certain health conditions and save you money.
Additionally, it can help you to be more mindful of how it affects your body. There are many physical and mental health benefits of Dry January, with top benefits including:
- Better quality of sleep. Research suggests that cutting out alcohol can help improve sleep quality, allowing you to wake up feeling refreshed and energized.
- Weight loss. Alcohol contains empty calories, which can lead to weight gain over time. Studies show that avoiding alcohol for the month of January may help you shed some unwanted pounds.
- Improved concentration. Alcohol can impair your cognitive ability and lead to poor concentration. Abstaining from alcohol can help improve focus and mental clarity. In fact, research from the University of Sussex showed that, after abstaining from alcohol for 30 days, participants saw a 57% increase in their concentration.
- Better skin. Alcohol can dehydrate your skin, leaving it dry and prone to breakouts. Taking a break from alcohol can help you achieve a healthier-looking complexion.
- Improved liver health. Alcohol can cause inflammation and damage to the liver over time. According to the Cleveland Clinic, taking a break from drinking, even for a month, can help your liver regenerate and become healthier.
- Improved mental health. Per Psychiatry UK, abstaining from alcohol for the month of January can help to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety and improve overall mental well-being.
How to turn a cocktail into a mocktail
The trick to any great drink is finding the balance of ingredients and texture. The flavor profiles our taste buds register include sweet, salty, spicy, sour, bitter and umami—and most drinks will take on a few of these to develop better depth. To turn a cocktail into a mocktail, consider these top tips:
- Swap out the liquor for a non-alcoholic substitute. These are becoming increasingly popular, with sales of non-alcoholic spirits growing 116% in 2022, which should make finding one at your local liquor store easier.
- Choose a mocktail mixer like ginger beer, club soda, or tonic water to add some fizz and flavor depth.
- Add fresh herbs and spices, such as mint, basil or cinnamon, to give the mocktail a more complex flavor and texture.
- Use a splash of vinegar or citrus juice for tartness.
- Experiment with combinations of different juices or simple syrups to create something unique.
- Add a garnish to make the mocktail look more festive. Try fresh fruit slices, a sprig of herbs, a cinnamon stick or a sprinkle of nutmeg.
- Create depth with blended ingredients, like pureed or muddled fruit, or add some frothy egg white foam on top.
10 Mocktail Recipes for Dry January
Watermelon Agua Fresca
Transport your taste buds straight to the beach with this light and refreshing mocktail! The watermelon and hint of lime—plus a pinch of salt to level up the flavors—create a bright, well-balanced profile that’s easy to sip on any time of year.
Blueberry, Blackberry, and Basil Margarita Puree
If you’re craving a nice frozen daiquiri or a blended margarita, give this one a try.
The combination of blueberry, blackberry and basil flavors create a unique and refreshing puree that’s equal parts jammy and earthy. A few squeezes of lime and lemon help round out the flavor for an ultra-satisfying booze-free treat.
Get the Blueberry, Blackberry, and Basil Margarita Puree recipe!
Grapefruit Faux-jito
This refreshing faux-jito combines the tartness of grapefruit, the sweetness of agave and the bright, herbal notes of mint into a delicious blend that can be enjoyed all year round.
This recipe is big enough for a crowd—or, fill a pitcher and pop it in your fridge to enjoy during your weeknight TV binges.
Mulled Mule Mocktail
Warm and steeped with notes of cinnamon, cloves, star anise and bright, ripe citrus, this non-alcoholic mulled mule is tailor-made for Dry January. You can even swap the orange juice for cranberry for a palate-teasing tartness.
Sparkling Blood Orange Mocktail
This sweet and sour mocktail combines the bright taste of freshly squeezed blood oranges and limes, a bubbly fizz of orange sparkling water, tangy pomegranate, and herby rosemary for a satisfying sipper that’s 100% alcohol-free.
Lemony Cucumber Mint Mocktail
This simple yet thirst-quenching sipper is an invigorating blend of crisp cucumber, homemade simple syrup, lemons and fresh mint that will have you thinking of the warm summer days ahead.
This recipe is already alcohol-free, so no substitutions are needed here.
Tea Limeade Le Parfait Jar Slushes
This sweet drink is super simple, with only two main ingredients (limeade and freshly brewed tea) that are chilled and shaken until it becomes a slushy. Lime wedges and mint make great garnishes, but you could also top this with your favorite berries for an extra pop of color and tartness.
Sparkling Lavender Blackberry Smash
This fun and delicious drink starts with a base of blackberries and lemon-lavender simple syrup, which is then combined with a splash of sparkling water.
To create a mocktail version, omit the gin and use tonic water and a squeeze of lemon or a dash of bitters instead.
Raspberry & Mint Sprig Spritzer
This refreshingly light and sweet concoction blends tart, juicy raspberries with the vibrant flavors of mint and ginger. To make it a mocktail, swap the prosecco with sparkling white grape juice or club soda.
Watermelon Paloma
Substitute the tequila with soda water to create a non-alcoholic version of this classic cocktail.
It’s the perfect combination of sweetness, tartness and fizz, with fruity and refreshing flavors like agave nectar, lime and, of course, watermelon. Salt the rim of your cup with chili lime salt to take the flavors up another notch.
Get the Watermelon Paloma recipe!
Hungry for more? Check out our full library of recipes for inspiration and tips and tricks from our resident chefs!
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