14 Booze-Free Drinks to Get You Through Dry January

With so many non-alcoholic drinks now on the market, going sober for the month (or just tonight, next week, or even for good) is no longer a struggle through deprivation—but rather an occasion for discovery. About a quarter of Americans are participating in dry January, reports YouGov, and looking more broadly, more than half of consumers say they like to toggle between alcoholic and non-alcoholic throughout an evening, per IWSR research. That’s a lot of people thirsty for options without alcohol, and now we have good ones that feel just as worthy of building an evening around. The latest zero-proof creations are thoughtful, complex, funky, herby, fruity, and thoroughly grown-up.

“So many of us felt like it was either drink alcohol or you're going to be the weird one,” says Aqxyl Storms, founder and curator of Minus Moonshine, a Brooklyn hot spot that sells dry drinks. Storms has witnessed firsthand the enormous boom in mixology sophistication, ingredient upgrades, and customers’ zeal over these new styles and flavors. “Times have changed. Now there are great replacements for spirits we know and love, and really innovative beverages that don’t exist within the world of alcohol. They all give us the opportunity to participate and socialize with that little something in our hands that is made for adults and tastes that way, too.”

Add to that an uptick in your physical well-being when you swap out the booze. Metabolic shifts take place that come with so many benefits, according to Jaclyn London, a New York–based registered dietitian and author: “Those translate into increased energy, more consistent sleep, better hydration, and clearer skin, thanks to improved wound dealing and antioxidant metabolism.”

Ready to explore? Here, a guide to 13 excellent sips. Some have healthful properties, many pack mood-enhancing compounds in the form of adaptogens, nootropics, and other botanical magic, and others simply tap into the luxurious, life-loving, friend-hanging vibe that a special drink brings. Any one of them will make happy hour—or any hour—truly happy.