- Cutting back on alcohol — or eliminating it — has many health benefits, including better sleep, improved heart health, lower risk of disease and illness, and improved mood and energy, among others.
- Increase your chances of success by substituting alcoholic beverages with these tasty non-alcoholic “mocktail” recipes – some of which double as sleep-inducing evening sips.
- Other tips to make a dry-ish month easier include sharing your goal with friends, planning ahead, and finding new hobbies or activities to occupy your time.
A new year is a perfect opportunity to set new wellness goals — whether it’s to move more, eat healthier, and cut back on drinking. These are among the most popular New Year’s resolutions for a reason: feeling healthy feels good!
1. Tart Cherry-Lime Soda
“I’ve seen a version of this drink called the ‘Sleepy Girl Mocktail’ on TikTok, which is the perfect description since tart cherry juice is scientifically proven to help you sleep better! Plus, making your own simple syrup reduces the sugar you need, creating a balanced drink that’s not overly sweet.”
Serves 2
Ingredients
- 2 cups tart cherry juice
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 lime, zested and juiced
- Seltzer water
- Lime wedges
Instructions
Combine the cherry juice, sugar, lime zest and juice in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring mixture to a boil, then lower heat to simmer. Let mixture thicken slightly, 15-20 minutes. Pour the syrup into a glass jar or bottle and let cool to room temperature.
Pour 1 tablespoon of the syrup into a highball glass. Fill the glass with ice, then top with seltzer water and a lime wedge. Drink immediately.
Store extra syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
2. French ’89
“A twist on the classic French 75, I make the French ‘89 (yes, I named it after Taylor Swift) to wow friends and party guests. P.S. As she just told Time Magazine, Taylor Swift didn’t drink on the Eras Tour!” – Sheinbaum
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Damrak 0.0 Gin
- 1/4 ounce simple syrup
- 1/4 ounce lemon juice
- 3 oz. chilled alcohol-removed sparkling white wine
- Lemon peel
Instructions
Add all ingredients together in a glass and stir. Garnish with lemon peel.
3. Orange Tonic
“There are two ways to make this tasty drink, depending on the time of day. You can use chamomile tea to help you fall asleep at night, or go for lemon tea to give you a boost of energy during the day.”
Serves 2
Ingredients
- 2 chamomile tea bags
- Juice from 2 oranges
- ¼ cup carrot juice
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
- Seltzer
- Ice
- Lemon slices
Preparation
Bring ½ cup of water to a boil. Pour into a large liquid measuring cup or pitcher with the chamomile tea bags and steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and let cool completely in the refrigerator, for at least 2 hours.
When tea is cooled, whisk in orange juice, carrot juice, and ginger.
Fill two highball glasses with ice. Divide tea mixture between glasses and top with a float of seltzer. Garnish with lemon slices and drink immediately.
4. A Celebratory Spritz
“For a celebratory occasion, I recommend Giesen 0% Sparkling Brut, or similar. This brand offers a full range of non-alcoholic wines, including rosé, riesling, pinot grigio, and sauvignon blanc. This recipe is essentially a mock Aperol Spritz, which is delicious any time of year, but especially on a warm day.”
Ingredients
- Ice
- 1 ounce seltzer water
- 2 ounces Free Spirits: The Spirit of Milano
- 3 ounces Giesen 0% Sparkling Brut
- Orange peel
Instructions
Add all ingredients into a glass in order of listed ingredients and stir. Garnish with an orange peel.
5. Paloma AF
“Everyone loves a refreshing Paloma, and this one is AF – alcohol-free! If you are a cocktail connoisseur, it’s all about the FLUÉRE Smoked Agave.”
Ingredients
- 1 part FLUÉRE Smoked Agave
- 1 part fresh grapefruit juice
- Seltzer water
- Lime
Instructions
Stir Smoked Agave and grapefruit juice together. Add a splash of seltzer water and a squeeze of lime. Garnish with lime wedge.
6. Winter Warmer Tea
“This immune-boosting tea is the perfect after-dinner drink, sans alcohol. With freshly grated ginger and soothing honey, this enhanced chamomile tea keeps you warm while helping you sleep more soundly.”
Serves 2
Ingredients
- 2 chamomile tea bags
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 2 teaspoons honey
Instructions
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Divide the water between two mugs with chamomile tea bags and let steep for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and set aside to cool slightly.=
In a small bowl, combine the ginger, lemon juice and zest, and honey. Stir half of the mixture into each mug. Drink immediately.
7. Iced Minty Passion Fruit Cooler
“This caffeine-free combines the sweetness of passion fruit with a refreshing hit of mint. It’s an alcohol-free take on a classic tropical cocktail, transporting you to the islands, even in the dead of winter!”
Serves 2
Ingredients
- 2 bags peppermint tea
- 2 bags passion fruit tea
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Ice
Instructions
Bring 4 cups of water to boil. Pour into a large liquid measuring cup or pitcher with the peppermint and passion fruit tea bags and steep for 5 minutes. Remove passion fruit tea bags and steep for another 5 minutes. Transfer mixture to the refrigerator and cool for at least 2 hours.
After mixture has cooled, stir in the lemon juice and honey. Serve in highball glasses over ice, option to add in passion fruit for decoration.
3 Tips tp stay ‘dry’ this summer:
- Share your goal with your friends – find a buddy to stay dry with
- Plan ahead and envision your success – have your go to drinks with you when you go out
- Try out new social activities and hobbies – plan a catch up during the day when people are less likely to be drinking
Ref: ouraring.com