Written by Suni Crane
Mocktails have slowly worked their way into restaurant and bar menus. They seem like the hottest new trend, but if mocktails are a trend, then Dry January must be the trendsetter.
“Dry January” is a beginning-of-the-year health challenge surrounding the idea of eliminating alcohol for the entirety of the month. For most, this would mean giving up the fun of a fancy drink, but why does this have to be the case?!
It doesn't…not this year. Dry January is the ideal time to find your new favorite mocktail recipes. The amazing thing about mocktails is that you get all the fun of a decadent drink without the hangover, hangxiety or any of those nasty feelings that come with having a couple of classic cocktails.
There’s no reason for the fun to end simply because you’re pursuing a health challenge. Whether you’re partaking to improve your mental health, lose weight, or keep yourself on your toes, Dry January can be a great tradition to start with friends.
To start you off on the right foot, we asked our team for their favorite mocktail recipes!
The Shirley Temple 🍒
The Shirley Temple brings a lot of us back to our childhoods. The classic mixture of bubbles, tangy ginger and sweet cherries creates the most irresistible sip. For an original Shirley Temple, you’ll mix ginger ale with grenadine and top with a few cherries, but one of our team members swears the absolute best recipe is to mix ginger ale with maraschino cherry juice and garnish with three plump maraschino cherries and a slice of lime.
The Spicy Pineapple 🌶
For our spice lovers, the Spicy Pineapple is the perfect blend of spicy and sweet. Before we pour, let’s rim our glasses with a kick! Grab a bowl and squeeze limes until you have a few centimeters of juice. Dip the rim of your glass for even coverage, then fill a new bowl with Tajín and roll the rim of your glass for a nice coat of spice. Begin with club soda or Sprite, and fill your glass ¾ of the way. Top off with a splash of 100% pineapple juice and maybe a dash of Tajín in your cup. Garnish with a few slices of jalapeño tossed into the glass. Voilà!
The Gut-Loving Strawberry Lemonade 🍋
For the ginger-lovers, this mocktail is a fresh take on the classic strawberry lemonade we all know and love. Beginning with lemonade, combine water and lemon juice to create a solid base, or use your favorite store-bought lemonade. Wash and de-crown a handful (or two) of strawberries and grate about 1 tsp of fresh ginger. Toss each of your ingredients into a blender with agave nectar (honey or maple syrup works too) and blend until completely liquid and combined. Strain the concoction and let chill in the fridge until you’re ready to enjoy a refreshing sip! Garnish with strawberries, lemon slices or mint leaves for a fresh look.
The Vodka Cranberry…Hold the Vodka 🍷
Ole reliable in a healthy new light. 100% Cranberry Juice is not only tasty but comes with countless health benefits! Let’s start off with a nice rim. Squeeze a few lemons into a bowl until you have a few centimeters of juice. Grab another bowl filled with sugar and roll your glass to create an even sugared rim. Fill your cup ½ way with cranberry juice (or cranberry cocktail for sweetness), then fill the glass ¼ of the way with tart cherry juice to add interest to the mix! Add a dash of agave nectar, maple syrup or honey if you want to sweeten your cup. Bring on the bubbles by topping it off with a dash of ginger ale! If you’re feeling extra, toss a handful of cranberries in lemon juice and then into sugar to create a wintery garnish. Bonus points for adding a sprig of rosemary!
Sticking to your guns and following through with Dry January can be tricky, so try getting a group of friends together to hold one another accountable. Hang out together during the most tempting times to drink– AKA weekends or after a hard day at work. This way, you can test out a few of our recipes while in good company!
If you create one of these tasty sips, tag us!
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