When you’re doing Dry January, you have to abstain from taking a swig of your beloved beer and all other alcoholic beverages. You have to last 31 days with no alcohol at all!
This well-meaning, sobriety-focused challenge may seem miserable if you’re not used to parting from liquor, but what if you can make it possible with the right alcohol substitutes? In this article, we’ll reveal the best drinks for Dry January that make giving up booze surprisingly easy.
Can I Drink During Dry January?
Alcoholic drinks, no. But other beverages aside from liquor? Absolutely!
Dry January doesn’t mean literal “dry”. Strictly speaking, you shouldn’t drink alcohol for the entire month, not even on New Year’s Day. This is because the campaign is designed to give your body and mind a month-long reprieve from booze after the holiday season. You’re allowed to drink alternatives, though.
Many people get discouraged from joining the Dry January challenge because they believe they have to drop booze and drink nothing else but water. Water is great, but if you’re used to drinking liquor, water just wouldn’t cut it. Fortunately, Dry January lets you try zero-proof options to curb your cravings.
What Do People Drink During Dry January?
Dry January participants drink anything but beverages with alcohol in them. If you’re also up for the challenge, you don’t have to go thirsty because you still have plenty of options to sip on. Sparkling waters, herbal infusions, mocktails, THC-infused beverages, and other zero-alcohol alternatives allow you to stay present, enjoy familiar flavors, and maintain hydration.
Most folks who jump on the trend are those who want to get rid of alcoholism for good or those who want to begin their year healthy and alcohol-free. For seasoned drinkers, it’s harder to accomplish because the pull of liquor is too strong to resist. That’s why a lot of them gravitate toward non-alcoholic drinks for Dry January to still get that buzz while staying true to the “no alcohol for the month” promise.
That’s the purpose of the campaign: take a break from booze for 31 days straight. It doesn’t matter if the drink’s alcohol content is low; you would still refuse it once you commit to Dry January. You don’t have to worry because there are more health-conscious beverages than alcohol to keep you refreshed.
The 5 Best Non Alcoholic Drinks for Dry January
To satisfy the only condition of Dry January, which is refraining from consuming alcohol, you can basically drink any non-alcoholic beverage that’s available. However, not every option can match up to booze. These are the worthy no-alcohol replacements for your favorite liquor:
- THC Seltzers
These low-dose THC drinks are the best alcohol substitutes because they contain cannabinoids, which provide a gentle, uplifting euphoria that mimics alcohol’s punch. Plenty of drinks out there may copy alcohol’s flavor, but most of them can’t give you the similar, heady buzz you’re chasing after. With fizzy fruit-forward notes, THC seltzers taste better than booze and are lighter on your body, perfect for unwinding in the evening.
- Dealcoholized Sparkling Wines
If you prefer champagne’s effervescence, you can have that same bubbly delight with dealcoholized sparkling wines. These beverages deliver the same authentic, celebratory flavors but with alcohol out of the formula, so you can serve them instead of popping open a champagne bottle. Since they’re low in sugar and calories, they pair well with meals and toasts for social occasions.
- Sparkling Hop Waters
Combining seltzer crispness with subtle bitterness, hop waters are great beverages for daytime sipping. In addition to their astringent base flavor profile reminiscent of craft beer, they usually come in citrus or herbal notes to refresh your palate. They’re popular among beer lovers seeking a zero-alcohol brew during Dry January.
- Botanical Non-Alcoholic Spirits
For those who prefer herbal blends, non-alcoholic spirits don’t disappoint. These replicate the piney bite of gin or the bittersweet hints of apéritif. Despite having zero-proof formulas to minimize the amount of calories, they still offer depth in taste and complex aroma, making them versatile alternatives to wine-based spritzes at gatherings.
- Prebiotic Sodas
Though not identical to any liquor, gut-friendly sodas make up for it by offering nostalgic flavors with added fiber and health benefits. They satisfy your sweet tooth while supporting digestion and sustaining your energy. They can keep you going while you’re facing the alcohol-free demands of Dry January.
Top Zero-Proof Cocktail Alternatives for Dry January
The common problem people have with Dry January is that they can’t find the right drinks to fill the gap alcohol leaves. After all, there are thousands of options to comb through. To make things easier, we’ve narrowed down the top zero-proof beverages that make abstinence still feel enjoyable:
Find Wunder’s low-dose THC drinks can soothe your cravings this Dry January with their cannabis-derived lift. With 5 mg and 10 mg THC options, they’re formulated with crisp carbonation and delicious fruit, herbal, and floral flavors to suit the taste buds of both novice and long-time drinkers. May it be Lemon Lime, Grapefruit Hibiscus, Watermelon Basil, or any other drink from their catalog, Find Wunder gives you the same pleasure of sipping on a cocktail while keeping your head clear.
This bittersweet orange and peach spritz captures the vibe of the Amalfi Coast with its sparkling bubbles and extra herbal notes from rhubarb and elderflower. The fruity and floral combination, along with a hint of Prosecco-like bitterness, creates a classic Italian blend that’s great for celebrations and cozy dinners. You won’t even notice there’s no alcohol involved!
3. Ritual Zero Proof Agave Spirit Alternative
If you want to drink a spirit without the high-alcohol content, then this alternative can be your go-to for Dry January. You can taste the earthiness of blue agave and the spicy kick of green pepper with every sip. You can even use it as a substitute for regular agave spirit and mix it up with other ingredients to create non-alcoholic versions of cocktails such as Margaritas, Palomas, and Bloody Marias.
Staying true to its “free of alcohol, full of spirits” claim, this mezcal resembles a traditional Mexican smoky agave spirit but without a trace of alcohol. It mingles the roasted agave flavor with hints of apple, citrus, and pepper. Just like the Agave Spirit Alternative, this can also be blended into zero-alcohol cocktails, bringing alcohol-free sophistication to upscale gatherings.
5. Ghia Apéritif Le Spritz Blood Orange
This non-alcoholic take on a classic spritz is a fusion of Southern European blood oranges and Mediterranean marjoram. Its citrusy, tart sweetness and piney herbal pinch balance the slight bitterness of the apéritif-inspired base. It’s a refreshing drink for barbecues and beach picnics.
Drinks for Dry January That Still Feel Social: What’s a Good Drink to Replace Alcohol?
We’ve already laid out the best beverage options, so you can make the switch away from alcohol this Dry January. Just take your pick and you can get through the first month of the year without taking a single sip of booze. For those still undecided, though, we recommend the best of the best: a THC drink.
If you’re thinking that a THC-infused beverage may be dangerous because it’s technically a weed drink, you can cast your concerns aside. Unlike edibles or joints that are very potent and mind-derailing, microdose THC drinks contain precise dosages that open up your consciousness instead of shutting it down. They’re effective enough to make you giddy yet also gentle enough to keep you alert and steady.
Despite being able to mirror the euphoric effect of alcohol, THC drinks don’t actually intoxicate you as long as you drink them in moderation. They don’t emulate the downsides of liquor, so you get to skip the hangover, calories, slurred speech, heightened anxiety, or liver stress associated with booze. You can enjoy events completely because your awareness remains and your memory isn’t fogged the next day.
Low Dose THC Drinks vs Traditional Weed Drinks
The main difference between low-dose THC drinks and traditional weed drinks comes down to dosage. When we say “low dose”, it means the THC content of the beverage is just around 2.5 mg to 5 mg. Any drink with a dose higher than 5 mg is considered a traditional weed drink, with the typical dosage being 10 to 20 mg, even if some brands offer up to 50 mg and more.
Low-dose THC drinks are best for those who are new to drinking cannabis-infused beverages. With minimal THC, they give you a light high that doesn’t interfere with your thinking. On the contrary, they calm you down, enhance your focus, and enrich your senses.
Traditional weed drinks, on the other hand, are suitable for people who have already tried THC drinks before and are already aware of their cannabis tolerance. Depending on the dosage, these beverages can also soothe you and improve your mental performance better than their low-dose counterparts. However, since they’re more potent, drinking too much, too fast can lead to sedation, anxiety, or psychotic episodes.
The key here is knowing your limits and not going beyond them. THC-infused beverages are great alcohol alternatives fit for Dry January, whether you go for low-dose ones or those with the traditional dosage. If you’re new to the scene, drink slowly and observe how your body reacts before popping open another can. If you have some experience, don’t go overboard and stick to what you can handle.
When you need THC drinks to get you through Dry January, Find Wunder has both low-dose THC drinks and traditional weed drinks that can support your 31 days of sober commitment. This way, you honor the challenge while sipping alcohol-free beverages that contribute to your wellness.
