The Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks Worth a Shot This Dry January
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Every year, more people are trying a Dry January — abstaining from alcoholic drinks for a month — as a way to reset health priorities after the holidays or as a test run for an alcohol-free lifestyle. And now there’s also “Damp January,” which can mean whatever you want it to but often involves cutting down to weekend-only drinking or trying lower-proof alternatives. Another new approach to alcohol consumption is “zebra-ing” — following an alcoholic drink with a non-alchoholic beverage to keep consumption moderate.
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Celebrity entrepreneurs are diving into the non-alcoholic market with an array of new options. This year more guys are entering the chat: Tom Holland founded BERO based on his own Dry January experience, while a sober John Mulaney helped co-found Years Beer.
Katy Perry’s De Soi, a line of sparkling ready-to-drink non-alcoholic apéritifs with natural adaptogens, has NA alternatives for dozens of cocktails such as Moscow Mules and Spicy Margaritas. Meanwhile, Blake Lively’s Betty Buzz mixers work on their own or mixed with either conventional or zero-proof spirits. Meanwhile Bella Hadid is an investor in Kin Euphorics, while RuPaul’s House of Love mocktails come in flavors like ginger mule and colada. Bethenny Frankel backs Mingle Mocktails, versatile flavors for mixing or drinking solo.
With new choices coming on the scene every month, there’s no excuse for thinking alcohol-free means boring. Here are a few of the established and brand-new ways to nail Dry January, and the rest of the year, too.
Spirits
Seedlip Notas de Agave
Seedlip’s agave zero-proof spirit incorporates bright notes of lime and prickly pear, interwoven with herbal, fruity aromas of vanilla and citrus. Peppercorns bring a note of heat that will liven up a non-alcoholic margarita or other cocktails that play well with agave varieties.
The Pathfinder
With its old-timey label and herb-forward flavor, The Pathfinder could easily be mistaken for some arcane liqueur. Liquor industry insiders got together to create this highly-rated non-alcoholic sprit that can be enjoyed with a mixer, straight up, or even in coffee. Ingredients include hemp, wormwood, ginger, sage, juniper, orange peel and Douglas fir.
CleanCo
“Here’s to a life less wasted!” is the slogan of CleanCo, a line of non-alcoholic spirits in deluxe faceted hexagonal bottles. Choose from tequila, gin, apple vodka and spiced rum alternatives, all alcohol-free with no sugar added. These versatile spirits can make zero-proof versions of all your favorite cocktails, whether you prefer bloody Marys, Dark and Stormys or gin and tonics.
Ritual Zero Proof Rum Alternative
Ritual’s rum alternative, with ginger and apricot notes, makes a terrific Dark and Stormy, and was recently named one of the best spirit alternatives by the L.A. Times. Also available in gin, tequila and whiskey alternatives.
Three Spirit Club Elixir
Available in three functional blends — Social Elixir, Livener and Nightcap — Three Spirit’s herbal elixirs incorporate exotic herbs and flavorings, some with properties that help relax or energize.
Wine
Giesen New Zealand
If there’s one thing New Zealand winemaking excels at, it’s drinkable, well-priced Sauvignon Blanc and other refreshing whites. Now try Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Riesling, plus Premium Red, Rosé and Sparkling Brut, all in 0% alcohol varieties. Giesen removes the alcohol with innovative spinning cone technology while retaining the aromas and flavor profiles of fine wines. These mindful varieties have just 19 to 33 calories per serving, so enjoy with abandon!
Giesen’s award-winning range, including 0% Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Premium Red, Sparkling Brut, and the newly released 0% Chardonnay, captures the true essence of New Zealand wines with a focus on health-conscious enjoyment. Giesen 0% wines are grown, harvested, and fermented like any other wine. After fermentation, the alcohol is gently removed using innovative spinning cone technology while retaining the aromas and flavor profile we love in wine. Experience celebration without compromise with less than 0.5% alcohol/volume and only 19-33 calories per 5 oz serving with Giesen’s mindful wines for all occasions:
Hand on Heart
Hand on Heart’s alcohol-removed wines come from California vineyards and provide a great alternative beverage that’s perfect for pairing with food. As with most alcohol-removed wines, the chardonnay and rosé varieties come closest to a traditional wine experience, while the cabernet sauvignon is a little more grapey-tasting.
Sovi Sparkling Rosé
Since Sovi was created by former Napa Valley winemakers, it’s not surprising that the alcohol-removed sparkling rosé tastes much better than other wine alternatives. Also available in a red blend.
Canned Cocktails and Aperitifs
Mingle Mocktails
Skinnygirl founder Bethenny Frankel has partnered with this widely distributed brand of mocktails that can also be used as mixers, so they’re versatile for gatherings with both non-drinking and drinking friends. Flavors like refreshing Sparkling Raspberry Rosé, Cranberry Cosmo, Blackberry Hibiscus Bellini, Cucumber Melon Mojito, Key Lime Margarita and Blood Orange Elderflower Mimosa bring a tropical feel to any party, and they’re crafted with adaptogens.
Greenbar Highballs
From one of L.A.’s pioneering distilleries comes a line of alcohol-free highballs which start with Greenbar’s handcrafted organic spirits, then are meticulously de-alcoholized. Flavors include UnSpritz, Un Gin + Tonic and Un Rum + Cola, made using locally sourced ingredients and thoughtful botanicals.
Cali Spritz
Cali Spritz hails from L.A.-based Optimist, one of the early entries into zero-proof spirits with their original nature-inspired Smoky, Bright and Fresh expressions. Based on Optimist’s award-winning Cali Amaro, the convenient portable spritz packs a potent herbal-meets-bittersweet punch for a non-alcoholic cocktail treat that also included adaptogenic plants and functional herbs.
Curious Elixir No. 1
Curious Elixir’s latest release is a mini-can individual serving pomegranate cocktail inspired by the Negroni Sbagliato. Like all of their expressions, it’s infused with functional herbs and adaptogens — in this case, rhodiola to help lift your mood. With no refined sugar, all the Curious Elixirs are designed to bring balance, joy and help de-stress.
Parch Agave Spirit
Parch says it’s the first non-alcoholic, agave-based canned cocktail. Packed with botanicals and adaptogens like ashwagandha, L-theanine, ginseng and GABA, Parch is then blended with desert botanicals, fruits and herbs to create flavors like Spiced Pinarita and Prickly Paloma. Come for the great vintage-looking branding and packaging; stay for the calming yet uplifting effect of all those adaptogens.
Beers and Hop Waters
BERO
“Born in London, crafted in America,” reads the tagline for BERO, co-founded by Spider-Man himself, Tom Holland. The non-alcoholic selections include Kingston Golden Pils, named after Holland’s hometown; Edge Hill Hazy IPA, named after his school and Noon Wheat, named after his schnauzer.
Years Beer
Year Beers — the non-alcoholic brand co-founded by John Mulaney this year — offers a smart stand-in for cracking open a cold one. Designed to mimic the taste and feel of beer, the company offers alternatives for every type of beer drinker: from German and Belgain styles to light and modern lagers.
Best Day Beer – 12 Pack
Best Day’s newest non-alc beer is the Belgian-style White Wheat, a smooth brew crafted with organic chamomile flower, coriander and orange peel. The seasonal release is available for a limited time, but Best Day’s year-round staples include Kölsch-style, Electra-lime Cerca de Cerveza, Hazy IPA and West Coast IPA. The Northern California brewer promotes their beers as an alternative drink perfect for active lifestyles.
HOP WTR – 12 Pack
Sparkling water flavored with hops has become the drink of choice for many former beer lovers, and HOP WTR is one of the foremost entries in this category. With zingy flavors like blood orange and peach, plus ashwagandha and L-theanine, this drink punches above its weight, considering it has no calories.
Athletic Brewing Co.
The San Diego craft brewery won silver in the 2021 Great American Beer Festival’s non-alcohol category with its Closer by the Mile IPA, and also offers golden and amber ales, lagers and hefeweizens.
Brooklyn Brewery Non-Alcoholic Beers
One of the first and most prominent craft breweries started making non-alcoholic Special Effects beers in 2019, which have become one of the top choices for drinkers ready to move beyond the earlier wave of boring brews.
Apértifs
Wilderton Aperitivo Co.
Oregon-based Wilderton has several offerings that let non-alcohol drinkers join in the spritz revolution, with bright, lush Citrus Aperitivo plus the popular Bittersweet Aperitivo, which both bring sophisticated flavors with botanicals sourced from six continents.
De Soi Non-Alcoholic Apértif
Katy Perry partnered with Master Distiller Morgan McLachlan to create culinary and adaptogenic tonics that help relax and revitalize the mind. Take your pick between the citrusy Golden Hour, the floral Champignon Dreams and the tart Purple Lune, all of which are vegan, gluten-free and and contain no artificial flavoring. For a wintry-themed sipper, try the St. Moritz Mule with flavors of pomegranate, cranberry, spicy ginger and rosemary. Adaptogens including L-theanine, reishi mushroom and lion’s mane provide a warm, mind-mellowing buzz perfect for fireside cocktails.
Ghia Apértif
Ghia aperitif’s complex flavor comes from a heady mix of notes including fig, gentian root, rosemary and yuzu. Also available in a soda-like spritz, in case you want to keep the retro-chic bottle intact on your bar.
Casamara Club Alta
The adult-oriented “leisure soda” comes in flavors like Sera (grapefruit), Alta (aperitivo) and Onda (wild lemon), with high-style, colorful bottles and cans.
Mixers
Health-Ade Kombucha
Health-Ade Kombucha has long been a go-to for anyone looking to replace soda with a healthy option that still has a kick. Now, the California-founded company has strategically marketed itself in the NA sector going into 2026, with bold tangy flavors that works just as well in the can as it does poured over ice in a wine glass.
Betty Buzz Mixers
Made from all-natural ingredients and low in sugar, Blake Lively’s line of mixers includes Tonic Water, Sparkling Lemon-Lime, Meyer Lemon Club Soda, Sparkling Grapefruit and Sparkling Ginger Beer, and work equally well on their own or mixed with alcoholic or zero proof spirits.
Lyre’s Coffee Original
Mix up an espresso martini or a White Russian with this liqueur from an Australian company whose takes on Aperol, Campari, tequila and triple sec are also musts for zero-proof cocktail recipes.