It’s mid January. Which, for some of us, means holstering our corkscrews and putting down the booze. At least for a couple more weeks. There are loads of reasons why folks are testing the sober waters, and there’s never been a better time to go dry. If you’ve stepped foot in a bar or liquor store in the past 5ish years, you know that non-alcoholic beverages have exploded in popularity. Swanky cocktail bars have special spirit-free menus with 7-ingredient concoctions served in crystal coupes. Your neighborhood dive offers not one but several N/A beer options (and not just the bottled O’Doul’s of yore, either). While Dry January itself is not a novel concept, the sheer volume of alcohol alternatives adds a new facet to the experience. One that can quickly become overwhelming to the newly sober-curious.
Photos via BottlesUp!
If this month marks your first foray into the N/A world, fear not. Taste, of course, is subjective and highly personal. The best way to determine what you like is to try a bunch of different things and take note of what keeps you coming back for more.
I chatted with Melissa Zeman, owner of BottlesUp!, a bottle shop in Chicago, about this topic. One thing she’s excited about is the wide range of small format options out there. These single-serve, ready-to-drink beverages allow folks who are new to the scene to get a little taste of a lot of products as they figure out their personal preferences. Not to mention, with many of them available for purchase individually, the financial stakes are low. Melissa suggests stocking a bunch of different cans and bottles and putting together a little DIY-flight to share with friends. After all, drinking is often about the social experience as much as it is about the actual beverage, right? Zero-proof certainly doesn’t have to mean zero fun. Here are a few tried-and-true options to get you started.
Photo via St. Agrestis
St. Agrestis Phony Negroni
The cone-shaped bottle (now also available in cans) has become somewhat ubiquitous at bars and bottle shops alike, and for good reason. Self-described as “Negroni obsessed,” the team at St. Agrestis has created a solid imitation of the iconic cocktail’s citrusy and floral flavor profile with none of the alcohol. Pour over ice with an orange twist if you’re feeling fancy.
Photo via Free Spirits
Free Spirits Non-Alcoholic Margarita
If you’re feeling the margarita itch this Dry January, this canned cocktail from Free Spirits will scratch it. Made with real agave and a lot of citrus, the tequila is hardly missed. That said, the brand also offers a line of N/A spirits, tequila included, for when you’re ready to branch out.
Photo via Recess
Recess Ginger Lime Mule
Another well-known name in the N/A game, Recess offers a nice variety of mocktail options crafted with herbs and botanicals meant to uplift and balance. This “mule” made with real ginger is a good place to start. It even has a touch of caffeine to help you secure your place as the life of the party.
Photo via BottlesUp!
Personal preference may be subjective, but it’s safe to say that objective quality in N/A products spans as wide a spectrum as wine, bourbon, or beer. Melissa’s opinion? Less is more. “I’m always a bit wary of any product that has a lot of baloney listed in the ingredients,” she says. Solid guidance regardless of product type, I’d say. Melissa also notes that the options have gotten significantly better over the past few years, so trying new products as they’re released can pay off. One of her recent favorites is a line of sparkling teas out of Denmark. What she likes about it, and what I personally enjoy about many N/A beverages, is that it’s not pretending to be an existing alcohol product, sans alcohol. But it’s tasty, it’s fizzy and fun, “It’s just really f*cking good sparkling tea!”
“I’m always a bit wary of any product that has a lot of baloney listed in the ingredients.”
—Melissa Zeman
Maybe your Dry January will carry through a few extra months. Maybe you have a broader goal this year to cut back on alcohol, rather than cut it out completely. Maybe you’re already counting down the days until you can crack a cold one on February 1. No judgment here! Wherever you find yourself on the sober spectrum this year, there are some exciting things happening in the N/A world, and it’s worth paying attention. Even if only to break out of your comfort zone and try something totally new.
