“I successfully completed Dry January – these were the 6 non-alcoholic drinks that got me through it”
After completing Dry January, Stylist’s senior writer Amy Beecham reflects on the best non-alcoholic drinks options that made it easy.
I’ll start with a confession: I’ve never completed Dry January before. My excuse has always been that too many of the people I love have birthdays in that month (my husband, mum and two of my best friends) and the celebrations were always too tempting to stay sober for. However, by the time you read this, I will have successfully finished the month without a single drop of alcohol passing my lips. And it feels good.
That’s not to say there weren’t times when a glass of red after a long day at work felt really tempting, but I held strong, not least because I found a couple of failsafe non-alcoholic options that helped me to feel like I wasn’t missing out on too much of the fun.
From Lucky Saint to the Aperol spritz alternative I’ll still be reaching for come picnic season, these are the best alcohol-free* drinks that got me through.
* For the purposes of this piece, we’re going with EU legislation that suggests that anything up to 0.5% ABV can be classed as alcohol-free.
Lucky Saint lemon lager
My hero drink of the month was, without a doubt, Lucky Saint’s lemon lager. These cans were added to my Tesco basket more times than I can count, and I regularly looked forward to cracking one open after a long day at work. Refreshing, slightly fruity, and so subtle that even non-beer fans (like me) will reach for it.
Bottega sparkling 0%
For special occasions (birthdays, promotions) throughout the month, I reached for Bottega’s Sparkling Life 0% to make sure I didn’t feel left out if I needed something bubbly in my hand. The taste is a bit tart at first, not unlike a lot of cavas, but after a few sips it starts go down quite nicely indeed. The big bonus is that you don’t have the fizz-induced headache the next day.
Black Lines Shirley Temple
Nostalgia with a cherry on top. This non-alcoholic drink was ideal when I craved the sweetness of a cocktail. The grenadine can be quite a powerful flavour, so I recommend sipping this one slowly after dinner or in place of an aperitif.
Everleaf Marine aperitif
A crisp and refreshing aperitif that’s good for a bergamot spritz when combined with a 0% sparkling wine, this was a great option I had when out for dinner at a swanky restaurant when I didn’t want to order a Diet Coke. I have a feeling it would be even better in the summer, too.
Smiling Wolf aperitivo spritz
Offering 18 Mediterranean herbs and bitters topped with sweet soda for a distinctly Italian experience, Smiling Wolf’s pre-mixed cocktails definitely fulfilled my craving for an Aperol spritz.
Sodastream Art
Last but certainly not least, a huge shout-out to my Sodastream. I don’t think I’ve ever consumed as much sparkling water (both flavoured and non-flavoured) as I did this month. It kept me hydrated all January long, and I will be continuing to use it daily for the rest of the year.
Images: courtesy of brands
