Dry January 2024 Is Here. Check Out These Cocktails

Dry January is about halfway through the month, with a quarter of the population that can legally drink in the states abstaining from alcohol during the period. As we’ve done in years past, we have a selection of drinks and cocktail ideas for Dry January to aid along in the journey. I want to get the cat out of the bag right now. I broke my Dry January streak over the weekend and I pretty much won’t be looking back. That said, I am cutting down on my sips, as you’ll see in our following Damp January roundup focusing on lower ABV drinks. The Dry January concept has roots dating back to 1942 but its official start began in 2013, according to the group Alcohol Change UK. The concepts and practices are rather self-explanatory. Participants are expected to abstain from drinking for the entire month and find other ways to relax at the end of a long work week and support others in their sobriety efforts.

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Below, I’m featuring mocktails and canned mocktails, and there’s even a fresh juice option just to mix things up. Of course, non-alcoholic beer is a growing category and we’ve got some famed brands below. What I’m excited about is incorporating many of these selections on those days and weeks I want to cut back but still put myself in the mind of a relaxing drink after a long day. Happy Dry January to all! — Photo: Getty

1. Cloud 9

Courtesy of Le Méridien, The Madison, Washington, D.C.

Ingredients
2 oz. Seedlip Spice 94
0.75 oz Rosemary Syrup
0.5 oz Cranberry Juice
0.5 oz. Orange Juice
1 oz. Lime Juice
Fresh rosemary sprig

Instructions: Add Seedlip Spice 94, rosemary syrup, cranberry juice, orange juice, and lime juice in mixing tin with ice. Shake to full dilution. Double strain into coupe juice. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprig. Serve and enjoy!

2. Dirty Ginger from The I Love Trader Joe’s® Cocktail Book

From The I Love Trader Joe’s® Cocktail Book

2 pieces Trader Joe’s Crystallized Candied Ginger, divided
2 ounces Trader Joe’s Spiced Chai Black Tea Concentrate
1/2 ounce brewed and chilled Trader Joe’s Shade Grown Espresso Blend
1 ounce heavy cream

YIELD: 1 drink:
1. Cut 1 piece of the candied ginger roughly and add it to a shaker. Add the chai concentrate, and crush with a muddler or wooden spoon for 30 seconds.
2. Fill three-quarters full with ice and add the espresso and heavy cream. Shake for 15 to 25 seconds.
3. Strain into a coupe glass and lay thin strips of the remaining piece of candied ginger over
the rim of the glass.

3. Fresh Victor

Fresh Victor offers something innovative in the mocktail space with its array of fresh juice options that can be spiked with your favorite booze-free spirit bases or enjoyed in fancy glassware on their own. 

Learn more here.

4. Guinness 0

Considering my heritage, I’ve had a lot of Guinness beer in my lifetime. The brand has a non-alcoholic version of their iconic, frothy brew known as Guinness 0 and we’re sharing a mocktail from the brand below. 

Learn more here.

5. HOPWTR

HOPWTR is a brand I’ve yet to try out but as a fan of traditional hoppy beers, I can see this being a refreshing option for those ditching booze for the month and beyond. Boosted with nootropics and adaptogens, I can’t attest to the effectiveness of those additions but color me interested.

Learn more here.

6. Hugo Spritz

Ingredients:
Josh Cellars Non-Alcoholic Sparkling – 4 oz.
Elderflower Syrup – .5 oz.
Seltzer – 1 oz.
3-4 mint sprigs
1 Lemon Slice and a few cranberries for garnish

Method:
Strip the leaves off one mint sprig. Lightly slap the leaves in the palm of your hand to release the oils, then add to a glass. Fill the glass with ice, then add in the Elderflower Syrup, chilled Josh Cellars Non-Alcoholic Sparkling and seltzer. Stir to combine. Garnish with lemon, cranberries and mint

7. Lavender Sparkle

From Drafts Burger Bar, Park City, Utah

Ingredients
2oz Lavender Syrup
3oz Fresh squeezed lime juice
Topped with soda water
Garnished with rosemary and lemon
 
Instructions: In a cocktail shaker or mixing glass, combine 2 oz of lavender syrup and 3 oz of fresh lime juice. If using a shaker, shake the ingredients gently to blend them together. This helps to integrate the syrup and lime juice before pouring. Pour the mixture over the ice in your prepared glass. Fill the glass with soda water, topping it off to your desired level of fizziness. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and a lemon wheel/wedge on the rim for an extra touch of color and fragrance. Stir gently to mix the flavors, and your Lavender Sparkle is ready to sip! Refreshing, aromatic, and balanced with a floral-citrus twist.

8. Mocktail Club

Mocktail Club is a no-brainer inclusion in this year’s roundup. Founded by Pauline Idogho, Mocktail Club’s canned cocktails are delicious chilled or over ice. And because it’s a Black-owned brand, you know we’re loving it over here. Check out the recipes tab!

Learn more here.

9. Non-Alocholic Fluère Mule

2 oz Fluère Spiced Cane 
1/2 oz Lime Juice
4 oz Ginger beer

Garnish with a lime wedge.

10. Non-Alcoholic Negroni

1 oz Damrak Virgin 
1 oz Fluère Bitter
1 oz Lyre’s Vermouth (Aperitif Rosso)

Preparation: Combine in a mixing glass with ice and stir. Strain into a rock glass over ice.
Garnish: Orange peel

11. Pallini Zero Spritz

1 part Pallini Limonzero (SRP: $24.99)
2 parts non-alcoholic sparkling wine

Garnish with lemon slices and rosemary

12. Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0%

Peroni Nastro Azzurro is one of the top pilsner brands around and such a great sipper on warm days and cool nights. The Italian brand’s Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% removes the alcohol but none of the flavors.

Learn more here.

13. PHILTERS

PHILTERS features a quartet of non-alcoholic spirits boosted with adaptogens and nootropics. The brand’s version of rum pairs wonderfully with cola, and their gin alternative is fantastic with tonic water. I’m enjoying my time with PHILTERS quite a bit.

Learn more here.

14. Refined Manhattan by Waterloo Sparkling Water

Ingredients:
6 oz Waterloo Black Cherry Sparkling Water
1 tbsp Blood Orange Juice
1/4 tsp (7 shakes) Aromatic Bitters
Orange Rind

Instructions:
In a short glass, add ice, blood orange juice and bitters. Top with Waterloo Black Cherry and garnish with a twisted orange rind.

15. ROCKAWAY Soda

ROCKAWAY Soda, out of New York, is a brand we haven’t tried yet but we’re interested in the low-sugar and flavor options boasted by the brand. Stay tuned for our thoughts in future roundups.

Learn more here.

16. St. Agrestis

St. Agrestis, also out of New York, is a brand I haven’t tried yet but I love the confidence the brand has in its non-alcoholic pre-made cocktails. We’ll also try this one out soon and report back.

Learn more here.

17. The NA Beverage Company

The NA Beverage Company is another brand I’ve yet to sample but I’m digging their approach and have functional mocktails aimed at a variety of moods and environments. 

Learn more here.

18. Untitled Art

Untitled Art is all about non-alcoholic beers in a variety of styles, along with CBD sparkling water, which has my interest as someone who writes about cannabis as well. I haven’t tried the brand but hope to correct that soon.

Learn more here.