8 alcohol-free drinks to see you through Dry January & they actually taste nice!
IF you’re doing Dry January this year, well done for getting this far!
And you’re in good company, as according to Alcohol Change UK, more than one in four Brits – that’s 15.5 million of us – are giving up booze for the whole month, if not longer, and that’s compared to 9 million last year.
The good news is that it no longer requires you to also give up all sense of taste, or fun, as there are so many delicious low-no alcohol drinks around now .
If you want a direct replacement for your usual G&T, you’re in luck, plus if you’re after a drink with benefits (AKA CBD), we’ve got just the thing.
Gen-Zers are already on the booze-free bandwagon, as is a quarter of those living in Norwich, according to a recent survey by Greene King.
Sober-curious? Then give these tipples a try…
Counter Culture Try Dry, £2.19 – BUY NOW
Founders Tom and Harry launched Counter Culture after spending several months alcohol-free, discovering kombucha was a more satisfying replacement than usual alcohol-free options.
Now named the official kombucha of Alcohol Change UK’s Dry January challenge, the tried-and-tested switch-in has people swapping out their bog-standard lime and sodas, left, right and centre.
The citrusy organic drink is super-refreshing and the ideal pick-me-up when those January blues hit.
Fourth Wave Wines, Positive Drinks Co – BUY NOW
Wine your thing? Then check out this brand’s two zero-alcohol lines – Plus & Minus and Tread Softly.
They even come with added antioxidants, because they are made using grape skin extract and grapes from South Australia – choose from a shiraz, rose and sauv blanc.
Tread Softly bottles are eco-friendly and bursting with rich flavours – our fave is the shiraz for its smooth, rich fruitiness.
Lyre’s, from £9 – BUY NOW
The official wine and spirit of Dry January in collaboration with Alcohol Change UK, this selection of alcohol-free versions of your fave spirits are proving popular.
The Dry London Spirit and American Malt, each £23.99, will satisfy gin and whiskey enthusiasts, while the Classico Grande, £9, is a fab alternative to sparkling wine, all green apple, pear and peach flavours.
They look the part, too, so are perfect for gifting or entertaining.
Trip Mindful Blend, £2 – BUY NOW
If you’re used to using alcohol to unwind, this new launch could be the perfect substitute, as favoured by celebs including Millie Mackintosh, Roman Kemp and Ashley Graham.
Hot on the heels of its CBD-infused cans come the Mindful Blend range, which are infused with contain Lion’s Mane, magnesium, ashwagandha and L-theanine, resulting in a new route to calm.
Choose from Cucumber Mint and Blood Orange Rosemary – we are already big fans of both!
Hardys Zero Chardonnay, £4 – BUY NOW
When pennies are tight in January, this makes a budget-friendly option to pick up on your food shop at Tesco.
Although not as complex or convincing as some of the more expensive non-alcoholic wines around, it’s a fruity, zesty drink that will ward off any cravings.
Crodini Non-Alcoholic Spritz 0%, £6, Sainsbury’s – BUY NOW
If these aren’t already on your radar, get involved in sampling a fab alternative to Aperol spritz.
One to definitely turn to in the summer months as well as Dry January, the cute mini bottles are ideal for picnics or BBQs.
It’s already premixed, so you just need to add ice and a slice!
Moderato Wines, from £13.99, Majestic – BUY NOW
New to Majestic just in time for Dry January, the Moderato Cuvee Revolutionaire Colombard benefits from top-notch French wine-making processes, which reintroduced wine aromas once de-alcoholisation has been carried out.
The result is a sophisticated tipple that comes at a price – but well worth it if you still want to feel like you’re drinking through January (no judgement here!).
CleanCo, now available in Greene King pubs
Founded by former Made In Chelsea star Spencer Matthews, CleanCo has just launches in Greene King pubs nationwide, so you can still socialise but booze-free.
Choose from a selection of cocktails using the range of spirits, including the Clean Rhubarb Spritz (Clean G Rhubarb 0.0% gin alternative, Fever-Tree tonic water, apple juice) and the Clean & Stormy (Clean R 0.0% rum alternative, Fever-Tree ginger ale, lime).
Spencer said: “When I started CleanCo five years ago, the only options for non-drinkers at the pub were soft drinks or water. People would tell me tales of being the butt of the joke or simply feeling like they were missing out if they turned down a beer or cocktail.
He adds: “Quality alcohol-free alternatives to the cocktails we all know and love simply didn’t exist then, which is where CleanCo all began.”