Many associate the beginning of the year with resolutions to be healthier. Whether you’ve signed up for a gym membership, are giving up sugar, or want to try the Dry January Challenge, January is a great month to hit the “reset” button, especially if you’ve had a particularly decadent December.
The Dry January Challenge is growing in popularity, but if you’re not familiar, it simply involves giving up alcohol for the entire month. If you find yourself participating in Dry January this year, you might be looking for some zero-proof drinks to lift your spirits — without the hangover. It’s easy to keep it simple and stick to the basics: seltzers, sodas, and tea. But why not bring a little fun to your Dry January Detox?
We’ve gone ahead and rounded up some of the best zero-proof drinks to add a little panache to your sober sipping. These alcohol-free options are so delicious, you may want to incorporate them into your rotation all year round.
The Best Zero-Proof Drinks for Delightful Dry January Drinking
If You’ve Got Champagne Problems: Try Trader Joe’s Nonalcoholic Sparkling Tea
One of the most interesting zero-proof beverages we’ve tasted this year is surprisingly one of the easiest to find. If you make a quick stop at your local Trader Joe’s, you’ll be able to find the brand’s nonalcoholic sparkling tea for just $8.99 per 750 ml bottle.
The budget-friendly brand shared that the tea is made by a supplier based in Germany. The supplier searches for a bespoke collection of different types of teas: green, white, and oolong. The company cold steeps them, then adds some grapes to give the resulting bubbly beverage a slightly vinous kick! The resulting bevvie is bubbly, bright, and aromatic all at once, making it almost as good as a glass of champers.
If You’re A Spritz Fiend Try: Ghia Le Spritz Lime & Salt
Winter doldrums getting you down? We found something that might fix that — Ghia’s Le Spritz Lime & Salt. Ghia is a zero-proof apperitivo brand that is a bright and bitter elixir with citrus and floral flavors. If you’re all about bitter and refreshing drinks, Ghia’s offerings will make you feel like you’re enjoying one without the hangover.
This zero-proof spritzer has big notes of kefir lime and Meyer lemon, sea salt, and a pleasantly bitter amaro note that makes it feel like a beachside vacation on the Mediterranean. Priced at $5 per can, Le Spritz Lime & Salt is great for fans of Aperol Spritzes and apperitivo hours.
If You’re An Avid Margarita Maker: Try Seedlip Notas De Agave
For some folks, the idea of a month without a margarita seems like a real challenge. Seedlip’s Notas De Agave is an alcohol-free spirit that mimics the flavor profile of a blanco tequila. This “spirit” possesses a blend of prickly pear, agave and white flower flavors, coupled with a kick of pepper. Substitute Seedlip’s Notas de Agave for tequila in any ranchwater, paloma or agave-based cocktail.
Each 700 ml bottle makes about 12 to 14 mocktails and has no sugar or calories. One bottle has an average price of $36, according to Wine-Searcher.
If You Rosé All Day (All Year): Try De Soi Tres Rosé
De Soi launched in 2020 and is a partnership between the musician Katy Perry and Master Distiller Morgan McLachlan. According to the Los Angeles Times, the two women bonded when they were pregnant and launched the beverage line in 2022. Since then, the brand’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric, and for good reason — these little cans are nothing short of delightful.
The brand’s Tres Rosé expression is a spritzy, floral, fruity riff on rosé with plenty of adaptogens like reishi mushroom. De Soi. claims that these adaptogens are supposed to emulate the chill vibe of alcohol without the hangover. Each can costs $4.25. De Soi offers 4 through 48 packs on the brand’s website.
If You’re A Whiskey Aficionado: Try (Parentheses) After
Finding a zero-proof whiskey substitute is a tall order, but this woodsy, earthy tincture comes pretty darn close. (Parentheses) is a zero-proof brand founded by Tawny M. Lara.
Lara wears many hats, and she penned a novel about her experiences with sobriety, sex and relationships, called “Dry Humping.” (Parentheses) was born out of her desire to have a strong drink and the frustration she felt when a lot of zero proof beverages didn’t quite capture the flavor profile of a glass of whiskey.
Priced at $29.00, After has a kelp vinegar base, so expect a bit of an acidic bite at the top, but this savory beverage segues into umami and earthy notes. After plays well with mixers like ginger beer if you’re looking to replicate a whiskey mule. If you’re curious to learn more about the (Parentheses) brand, you can visit Lara’s website here.
If You’re A White Wine Lover Try: Kim Crawford Illuminate Alcohol-Removed Sauvignon Blanc
New Zealand power player Kim Crawford announced that it was venturing into the zero-proof space with Illuminate Alcohol-Free Sauvignon Blanc in late December, and the brand shared that the recipe took over four years to develop. With less than .5% alcohol and a suggested price of $14.99, this Savvy B keeps the oenophile interested in sobriety in mind.
Kim Crawford’s Illuminate Alcohol-Free Sauvignon Blanc definitely has that grassy, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc flavor that fans look for in a beverage like this. There’s a citrus-driven, creamy texture on the palate, making it a food-friendly, alcohol free white. Consider pairing it with lighter dishes, like seafood or vegetarian fare.
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