Dry January is a month-long challenge during which people abstain from drinking alcohol. It was launched in 2013 by the Alcohol for Change charity in the United Kingdom as a public health initiative.
As Dry January demonstrates, the first month of the year can reset more than just the calendar. However, you can reboot your drinking habits at any time of the year, and you can make any month a dry month.
Not only do you save money when you don’t buy alcohol, but you’re also likely to sleep better. Plus, many people who take part in a dry month learn more about their relationship with alcohol and can assess how significant a role it plays in their lives.
Other benefits of abstaining from alcohol for 30 days or so may include higher energy levels and weight loss due to not drinking extra calories. Some people participating in the Dry January challenge also note improved concentration and clearer skin.
Many non-alcoholic beverages were created to look and taste like traditional spirits such as gin, bourbon, or tequila. Instead of alcohol, these drinks use botanicals and robust flavors to imitate the feeling of drinking your favorite adult beverage.
You might be surprised to find you can enjoy the flavor of whiskey, tequila, or gin without the alcohol or calories. There are non-alcoholic cocktails you can make with botanicals that closely resemble the flavors you enjoy. One whiskey variety has notes of American oak, sugar floss, hemp, pepper, and vanilla–a taste profile that works well in a classic drink like an Old Fashioned.
Non-alcoholic sparkling varieties are the perfect way to fill a void for folks who don’t want to consume alcohol but want an effervescent drink that isn’t just sparkling water or soda. These beverages combine tasty flavors like blue agave, ginger, white cranberry, white tea, or citrus into a sweet, bubbly drink.
Newer gin products from Southern California may be alcohol-free, but that doesn’t stop them from being packed with flavor. One popular zero-alcohol gin contains juniper, spices, botanicals, and citrus, making it a refreshing drink on its own or as part of a cocktail.
If you’re in the restaurant business, adding cocktail dupes to your menu is full of advantages. You’ll be able to offer a more inclusive menu for those who choose not to drink.
Additionally, you can use the fresh ingredients you already have on hand for other menu items to create delightful drinks for customers of all ages. You no longer have to rely on the simple Shirley Temple, as the sky’s the limit!
Have you tried taking a month away from alcohol? Did you feel any of the benefits listed above? Maybe you enjoyed one of the many alcohol-free cocktails and spirits now available.
Let us know about your experience by following us on Instagram. We can’t wait to hear about how taking a month for sobriety worked for you. Cheers!
