The Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks Worth a Shot This Dry January

28/12/2023

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Every year, more people are trying a Dry January – abstaining from alcoholic drinks for a month – as a way to reset health priorities after the holidays or as a test run for an alcohol-free lifestyle. And now there’s also “Damp January,” which can mean whatever you want it to but often involves cutting down to weekend-only drinking or trying lower-proof alternatives. Much of the interest is fueled by Gen Z, who want the style and flavor of cocktails to fit into their zero-proof lifestyles.

In recent years, there has been an explosion of alcohol-free, alcohol-removed wine, beer, spirits and liqueur choices. The category’s surge in popularity is also welcome news to longtime sober folks, who for many years made do with sugary sodas, sparkling apple cider and unpalatable alcohol-free beer.

The non-alcoholic spirits store Boisson, which started in New York, has expanded into several Los Angeles locations and an online store, while Soft Spirits anchors L.A.’s Silver Lake area and the New Bar is located in Venice. Most restaurants now offer cocktails made with some of the choices below, or try one of the zero-proof cocktail lounges popping up on both coasts. In New York, there’s Hekate Cafe, while L.A.’s Stay zero-proof cocktail lounge is opening in Chinatown with Summer Phoenix as a partner.

Celebrity entrepreneurs are diving into the non-alcoholic market with an array of new options. Katy Perry’s De Soi, a line of sparkling ready-to-drink non-alcoholic apéritifs with natural adaptogens, is available in single-serve cans or colorful, giftable bottles. Blake Lively’s Betty Buzz mixers work on their own or mixed with either conventional or zero-proof spirits. Meanwhile Bella Hadid is an investor in Kin Euphorics, while RuPaul’s House of Love mocktails come in flavors like ginger mule and colada.

With new choices coming on the scene every month, there’s no excuse for thinking alcohol-free means boring. Here are a few of the established and brand-new ways to nail Dry January, and the rest of the year, too.

Spirits

Seedlip Notas de Agave

Seedlip’s new agave zero-proof spirit incorporates bright notes of lime and prickly pear, interwoven with herbal, fruity aromas of vanilla and citrus. Peppercorns bring a note of heat that will liven up a non-alcoholic margarita or other cocktails that play well with agave varieties. Seedlip enlisted actor Regé-Jean Page for its “Choose Different” campaign that encourages people to live with balance.

The Pathfinder

Courtesy of The Pathfinder

With its old-timey label and herb-forward flavor, The Pathfinder could easily be mistaken for some arcane liqueur. Liquor industry insiders got together to create this highly-rated non-alcoholic sprit that can be enjoyed with a mixer, straight up, or even in coffee. Ingredients include hemp, wormwood, ginger, sage, juniper, orange peel and Douglas fir.

The Pathfinder Hemp & Root $39 Buy Now

CleanCo

Courtesy of CleanCo

“Here’s to a life less wasted!” is the slogan of CleanCo, a line of non-alcoholic spirits in deluxe faceted hexagonal bottles. Choose from tequila, gin, apple vodka and spiced rum alternatives, all alcohol-free with no sugar added. These versatile spirits can make zero-proof versions of all your favorite cocktails, whether you prefer bloody Marys, Dark and Stormys or gin and tonics.

CleanCo Clean G $30 Buy Now

Ritual Zero Proof Rum Alternative

Courtesy of Ritual

Ritual’s rum alternative, with ginger and apricot notes, makes a terrific Dark and Stormy, and was recently named one of the best spirit alternatives by the L.A. Times. Also available in gin, tequila and whiskey alternatives.

BUY NOW: $28.99

Three Spirit Club Elixir

Courtesy of Three Spirit Drinks

Available in three functional blends – Social Elixir, Livener and Nightcap – Three Spirit’s herbal elixirs incorporate exotic herbs and flavorings, some with properties that help relax or energize.

Three Spirit The Collection $99 Buy Now

Wine

Hand on Heart

Courtesy of Hand on Heart

Hand on Heart’s alcohol-removed wines come from California vineyards and provide a great alternative beverage that’s perfect for pairing with food. As with most alcohol-removed wines, the chardonnay and rosé varieties come closest to a traditional wine experience, while the cabernet sauvignon is a little more grapey-tasting.

Hand on Heart Non-Alcoholic Cabernet Sauvignon $!5 Buy Now

Sovi Sparkling Rosé

Courtesy of Sovi

Since Sovi was created by former Napa Valley winemakers, it’s not surprising that the alcohol-removed sparkling rosé tastes much better than other wine alternatives. Also available in a red blend.

BUY NOW: $28/Pack

Canned Cocktails

Greenbar Highballs

From one of L.A.’s pioneering distilleries comes a line of alcohol-free highballs which start with Greenbar’s handcrafted organic spirits, then are meticulously de-alcoholized. Flavors include UnSpritz, Un Gin + Tonic and Un Rum + Cola, made using locally sourced ingredients and thoughtful botanicals.

Curious Elixir No. 1

Curious Elixir’s latest release is a mini-can individual serving pomegranate cocktail inspired by the Negroni Sbagliato. Like all of their expressions, it’s infused with functional herbs and adaptogens – in this case, rhodiola to help lift your mood. With no refined sugar, all the Curious Elixirs are designed to bring balance, joy and help de-stress.

Parch Agave Spirit

Courtesy of Parch Spirits

Parch says it’s the first non-alcoholic, agave-based canned cocktail. Packed with botanicals and adaptogens like ashwagandha, L-theanine, ginseng and GABA, Parch is then blended with desert botanicals, fruits and herbs to create flavors like Spiced Pinarita and Prickly Paloma. Come for the great vintage-looking branding and packaging; stay for the calming yet uplifting effect of all those adaptogens.

Parch Mix Pack $40 Buy Now

Spirity Non-Alcoholic Cocktail

Courtesy of Spirity

Spirity’s mocktails come in flavors including Mindful Mule, Mindful Margarita and Mindful Negroni, providing a sophisticated, low-sugar way to enjoy familiar cocktail flavors.

BUY NOW: $14.99/Pack

Beers and Hop Waters

Best Day Beer

Best Day’s newest non-alc beer is the Belgian-style White Wheat, a smooth brew crafted with organic chamomile flower, coriander and orange peel. The seasonal release is available for a limited time, but Best Day’s year-round staples include Kölsch-style, Electra-lime Cerca de Cerveza, Hazy IPA and West Coast IPA. The Northern California brewer promotes their beers as an alternative drink perfect for active lifestyles.

HOP WTR

Courtesy of HOP WTR

Sparkling water flavored with hops has become the drink of choice for many former beer lovers, and HOP WTR is one of the foremost entries in this category. With zingy flavors like blood orange and peach, plus ashwagandha and L-theanine, this drink punches above its weight, considering it has no calories.

HOP WTR Mixed Pack $22.00 Buy Now

Athletic Brewing Co. Non-Alcoholic Brew

Courtesy of Amazon

The San Diego craft brewery won silver in the 2021 Great American Beer Festival’s non-alcohol category with its Closer by the Mile IPA, and also offers golden and amber ales, lagers and hefeweizens.

BUY NOW: $27.99/Pack

Brooklyn Brewery Non-Alcoholic Beers

Courtesy of Brooklyn Brewery

One of the first and most prominent craft breweries started making non-alcoholic Special Effects beers in 2019, which have become one of the top choices for drinkers ready to move beyond the earlier wave of boring brews.

Brooklyn Special Effects – Hoppy Amber $16 Buy Now

Apértifs

De Soi Non-Alcoholic Apértif

Courtesy of De Soi

Katy Perry partnered with Master Distiller Morgan McLachlan to create culinary and adaptogenic tonics that help relax and revitalize the mind. Take your pick between the citrusy Golden Hour, the floral Champignon Dreams and the tart Purple Lune, all of which are vegan, gluten-free and and contain no artificial flavoring.

De Soi Variety Pack – 3 Bottles $70 Buy Now

Ghia Apértif

Courtesy of Ghia

Ghia aperitif’s complex flavor comes from a heady mix of notes including fig, gentian root, rosemary and yuzu. Also available in a soda-like spritz, in case you want to keep the retro-chic bottle intact on your bar.

BUY NOW: $33

Casamara Club Alta

Courtesy of Casamara Club

The adult-oriented “leisure soda” comes in flavors like Sera (grapefruit), Alta (aperitivo) and Onda (wild lemon), with high-style, colorful bottles and cans.

Casamara Club – 4 Pack $18 Buy Now

Mixers

Betty Buzz Mixers

Courtesy of Betty Buzz

Made from all-natural ingredients and low in sugar, Blake Lively’s line of mixers includes Tonic Water, Sparkling Lemon-Lime, Meyer Lemon Club Soda, Sparkling Grapefruit and Sparkling Ginger Beer, and work equally well on their own or mixed with alcoholic or zero proof spirits.

Betty Buzz Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Lime – 4 Pack $8 Buy Now

Lyre’s Coffee Original

Courtesy of Lyre’s

Mix up an espresso martini or a White Russian with this liqueur from an Australian company whose takes on Aperol, Campari, tequila and triple sec are also musts for zero-proof cocktail recipes.

Lyre’s Coffee Originale $35.99 Buy Now

Lower-Alcohol Choices

Libby Wine

Courtesy of Libby Wine

Libby sparkling wines are lower calorie and lower alcohol, with no added sugars. Try the rosé on a warm day or the red blend with a meal, for a drink that’s fun and fizzy and perfect for day drinking. The white, rosé and red bottles all have less than 8% ABV with just 70 to 80 calories per serving.

Libby Wine $18-$65 Buy Now

Body Vodka

Courtesy of Body Vodka

Body Vodka has 25% less alcohol than standard vodka, but still packs a clean, crisp taste. With 73 calories a serving, it’s a lighter way to enjoy your favorite vodka-based cocktails. Light ‘n dirty martini, anyone?

Body Vodka $33.99 Buy Now

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