5 Zero-Proof Drink Ideas For Those Observing Dry Or Damp January

In the last few years, vowing to observe a Dry January foregoing all alcoholic drinks has been one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions. But studies have found that most resolutions fail by mid-month, research showing only 19% of individuals achieve their goals.

As a result, a new trend has emerged: to attempt a Damp January instead. As the name implies, this is a more relaxed commitment in which people are encouraged to cut back, or become more aware, of their alcohol consumption instead of completely giving it up. The trend has become increasingly popular as people seek resolutions that are more sustainable, realistic, and easier to keep.

Whether you want to go fully dry or give Damp January a try, here are some drink ideas to help you with the transition after the revelry of New Year’s Eve.

DRY Botanical Bubbly

Founded by Sharelle Klaus, a mother of four who wanted a grown-up zero-proof alternative to wine, DRY Sodas are singled flavored sparkling non-alcoholic beverages in unique botanical flavors. They are delicious on their own or used as the foundation for zero-proof cocktails such as the following recipe. Flavors include cucumber, lavender, and Rainier cherry, among others, and the line also includes non-alcoholic bitters and sodas.

The newest release, Rosé Soleil, will be available nationwide on January 15. Made to complement any culinary dish or appetizer as any rosé wine would, Rosé Soleil will pair with light pasta dishes, seafood, lamb, and goat cheese.

Smoke and Mirrors

2 oz. Tea tincture (see below)

1 oz. Zero-proof Whiskey (such as Lyre’s)

DRY Botanical Bubbly Reserve Spiced Pear

Burnt cinnamon stick for garnish

Add ice, tea tincture, and zero-proof whiskey to a mixing glass, and stir until thoroughly chilled. Strain into a coupe glass, and top with Spiced Pear Reserve. For the garnish, carefully light one end of a cinnamon stick with a kitchen torch, then blow out the flame. Set the smoking cinnamon stick across the top of the glass.

Tea tincture:

2 bags (or 2 teaspoons loose) Rooibos red tea

½ cinnamon stick

Bring 8oz. water to a simmer in a small saucepan, then add half a cinnamon stick and both Rooibos tea bags. Stir to combine, then remove from the heat. Let the tea steep for 10 minutes, then strain through a fine mesh sieve or a tea strainer. Let cool, then refrigerate in a sealed container.

SAYSO

Another female-owned company, founded in 2021 and launched in June of 2022, SAYSO offers the world’s first line of craft cocktail mixes in tea bags. Right now, there are four varieties, but new ones are coming in 2023, including some limited-edition flavors and collaborations in the works.

Made with high quality fresh-dried, all-natural ingredients, the expertly proportioned tea bags make balanced drinks in just minutes with the ability to steep in room temperature water. Add as much or as little liquor or non-alcoholic spirit as you wish, and enjoy a cocktail on the go.

Aurora Elixirs

Aurora is a line of sparkling hemp infused beverages made with sustainably grown hemp and hops from the Pacific Northwest, made in small batches with a proprietary blend of whole plant extracts and +25mg broad spectrum hemp. Try them in one of these zero-proof cocktails created by Jon Lewis-DeMarquez.

Currently In Love

.75 oz. Monin Blackcurrant syrup

.5 oz. Fresh squeezed lemon juice

Aurora Blackcurrant Spruce

Stir syrup and lemon juice in serving glass, top with chilled Aurora, garnish with a lemon twist (ice optional).

Little White Dove

1.5 oz. lime

.5 oz. white grapefruit juice

.75 oz. Aurora Rosemary Grapefruit

Bar spoon cherry syrup

Collins/soda/star anise

Fever-Tree

Best known for their premium tonics, Fever Tree produces a variety of mixers, using naturally sourced ingredients from around the world with no artificial flavorings or sweeteners. The whole range of flavors pairs fabulously with zero-proof spirits, and flavors like Sparkling Sicilian Lemonade or Distillers Cola are great even on their own.

Hot Non-Ginger Toddy

This zero-proof cocktail is perfect for when you want a riff on the flavors of a traditional hot toddy, without the booze. The apple cider and ginger beer give it a sweet and spiced base for a comforting non-alcoholic drink.

4 oz. Hot apple cider

0.5 oz. Honey or good quality maple syrup (such as Runamok)

1 oz. Fresh lemon juice

Fever-Tree Ginger Beer

Combine cider, lemon juice and honey syrup in a mug. Top with Fever-Tree Ginger Beer. Garnish with an apple fan and cinnamon stick.

The Lyre & The Blood Orange

0.5 oz. Lyre’s A.M. Whisky

.75 oz. Lemon juice

.75 oz. Liquid Alchemist Blood Orange Syrup

Fever-Tree Blood Orange Ginger Beer

Shake and serve over ice in a Collins glass. Top with Fever-Tree Blood Orange Ginger Beer and garnish with a blood orange half wheel.

Spindrift Nojito

This sparkling water made with real squeezed fruit is adding its first cocktail-style variety, the Nojito. Inspired by the popular cocktail, this is Spindrift’s first flavor to feature an herb. The mint-forward, zero-proof sparklers will be available in January, perfect for folks looking for unsweetened, non-alcoholic options to kick off the year.