This year we decided to do dry January. After a month of no alcohol I felt so good that I kept going. Every now and then I still enjoy my favorite cocktail or glass of wine. But, with so many great alcohol-free options out there, it’s never been easier to go dry. Keep on reading for a list of the best alcohol-free drinks.

What is Dry January?

Dry January is a public health initiative launched in 2013 by Alcohol Change UK. Every year, millions of people around the world kick off the new year by taking part in this month-long sobriety challenge. The idea is for people concerned they drink too much or too often to slow things down. It’s also for anyone looking to start the year on a refreshed, healthier note.

I have a lot of friends that have participated in dry January in the past and thought it would be a great way to give this year a fresh start. Throughout the month I noticed I had more energy, was sleeping better and was even less anxious. By the end of the month, I didn’t even miss the glass of wine I used to have each night.

What are the benefits of taking a month off of alcohol?

Alcohol can contribute to anxiety, low mood, depression, and even effects our sleep. Dry January is a great opportunity to help our body reset. It encourages us to look at lifestyle issues that may be affecting our overall well-being. Some studies show that cutting out alcohol for even just one month helped participants sleep better, lose weight, save money and have more energy and a better ability to concentrate. The benefits can also last much longer as people who abstained from alcohol for one month started drinking less the rest of the year and showed noticeable improvements in their health.

I definitely felt so many of the benefits mentioned above. I was sleeping better, had less anxiety and more energy throughout the day. And, I felt so great at the end of the month that I decided to keep it going. There are so many great alcohol-free options that I wasn’t missing it. I also feel so much healthier not having a daily drink.

How to Drink Less Alcohol

One of the easiest ways to drink a little less is by switching your favorite beer, glass of wine or cocktail to something that’s non-alcoholic. There’s no need to give up the evening ritual when you can enjoy one of these great beverages after a long day without any of the negative side effects that come with alcohol.

You can also change up your routine so you don’t feel like you are missing anything. I started going on evening walks so I didn’t feel the need to have a glass of wine after dinner. Find something that works for you and stick to it to help get through any cravings you might have.

My Favorite Alcohol-Free Drinks

There were definitely some moments throughout dry January when I just wanted a drink. And thankfully I had stocked my fridge with plenty of alcohol-free options ahead of time so I could enjoy a drink without the alcohol.

There are so many great options available and below are a few of my tried and true favorites.

• Curious Elixirs – these are so. dang. good! The spicy No. 2 booze-free cocktail is my favorite.
  
• Athletic Brewing Upside Dawn Golden Beer (crafted to remove gluten) – since I am on a gluten-free diet, this is my new go to when I’m craving a beer. Tastes just as good, if not better, than any regular gluten reduced beer and it’s less than 0.5% ABV. If you don’t need a gluten reduced beer, they have so many other options to choose from. My husband likes the Run Wild IPA.
  
• Liquid Death Berry It Alive & Rest In Peach – these are more like a flavored sparkling water than a cocktail, but they are just as refreshing and perfect for a hot summer day.
  
• De Soi Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Aperitif Golden Hour – I found these at our local Bevmo and they are oh so good! They are a little on the pricey side, but worth the splurge.
  
• Surely Non-Alcoholic Sauvignon Blanc – I have tried quite a few alcohol free wines and this is definitely my favorite. It’s crisp and light and has a nice dry sip.
  
• Recess Zero Proof Mocktails – another fun set of mocktails, all of the flavors are so good but the Watermelon Mojito was my favorite.

And if you’d rather DIY your own non-alcoholic beverages I highly recommend The Mindful Mocktail. She has so many great recipes for any time of the year and it’s a great resource to celebrate the alcohol free life. Her Virgin Mojito recipe is my favorite.

Switching my evening glass of wine to an alcohol-free drink was the easiest way for me to give up alcohol. I hope this list of my favorite alcohol-free drinks encourages you to give it a try. You can still have a drink to relax after a long day of work and leave out the negative side effects of alcohol.