T
he holiday season is an alcohol-fueled atmosphere, with festivities of food, gift exchanges, endless eggnog, and attempting the electric slide with your third glass of bubbly in hand. ‘Tis also the season for pounding headaches and 4 pm wine naps to recover from all those holiday parties. But with the New Year euphoria finally declining, January brings a needed reset after a month of overindulgence. However, as tempting as it is to cure those hangovers with a cup of plain coffee, what if we broke the cycle of holidaze drinking and tried dry January instead?
Could abandoning booze for Dry January make the first month of 2024 more enjoyable? Might there be health gains from going teetotaller for just 31 days? And is it even possible to hop on the #DryJanuary hashtag without ending up a social outcast? So, let’s explore why temporarily giving up gin and tonics could be your smartest decision in the new year.
The benefits of indulging in Dry January for a lifestyle tweak…
First coined in the UK, Dry January means abstaining from alcohol for the month. Beyond just recovering from holiday hangovers, there are some science-backed benefits to giving your liver a much-needed break, these include:
- Better sleep
- Clearer skin
- Increased energy
- Sharper focus
- Healthier body composition
- A welcome tolerance reset
Of course, the bank account boost from not dropping $50 a weekend on brunch cocktails doesn’t hurt either. I realized once I stopped drinking, I had extra cash to save. At the time, the money spent seemed small, but cumulatively, that was a lot to hand over to the pockets of booze.
Do you fear that going dry this January will result in you settling for subpar drinks? Check out this exciting list of alcohol alternatives to try as you go dry for 31 days.
7 alcohol alternatives to keep booze at bay
Giving up ALL forms of fun for a month sounds dramatic, but sober socializing IS possible, even amidst events. By substituting booze with booze-free alternatives, Dry January provides the perfect health reset without forcing you into social isolation. Give these tasty ideas a try:
- Sparkling cranberry spritzer: Ring in Dry January with a refreshing cran-raspberry spritzer. Mix sparkling water with cranberry juice, fresh raspberries, and lime for a festively tart cocktail lookalike. You can fancy it up with a rosemary sprig garnish.
- Rosemary grapefruit “mocktails”: Channel an upscale brunch vibe with this vibrant grapefruit juice and rosemary-infused faux moss. Then rim your glass with a blend of ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg for some extra spice.
- Ginger chai lattes: For the ultimate cozy winter sip, steam almond milk with concentrated chai tea, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, and maple syrup. Also, top it with whipped coconut cream and ground ginger for a comforting caffeine-free pick-me-up.
- Pomegranate mint kombucha: Kombucha’s natural bubbles make a great alcohol dupe while boosting gut health. So, up the festive flavor factor by mixing tart cherry or pineapple kombucha with 100% pomegranate juice, fresh mint, and lime.
- Cherry lime ginger ales: Jazz up your ginger ale by combining it with tart cherry juice, fresh lime wedges, and sprigs of rosemary or basil. Then for an extra gourmet touch, add finely chopped crystallized ginger to your drink for sweet heat.
- Spiced apple cider: Warm up winter nights with a steamy cup of apple cider amped up with orange peel, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and a splash of maple syrup. Then stir with a candy cane swizzle stick for that seasonal flair.
- Virgin Bloody Marys: Cure any hair-of-the-dog cravings with all the flavor of a bloody Mary, without the vodka burns. Swap booze for vegetable juice or broth. These alcohol alternatives boost umami with Worcestershire, creatively spice it up with miso paste or kimchi brine, and top it up with all the pickled goodies your heart desires.
Bottoms up to a healthier 2024. With endless flavor combos, the alcohol alternatives are endless for tantalizing drink moments all month long. You’ll have a cool, Dry January for sure.
Featured image: Liliia Bila/iStock
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