Dry January doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor or creativity. Whether you’re abstaining for health reasons or simply exploring new beverage possibilities, these inventive mocktail recipes offer all the complexity of a well-made cocktail—without the alcohol.
Golden Hour Shrub
Ingredients: 1 oz turmeric-ginger shrub, 3 oz sparkling water, ½ oz fresh lemon juice, ½ oz honey syrup (1:1 honey to water), thin lemon slice, and a pinch of ground turmeric for garnish.
Instructions: Fill a highball glass with ice. In a shaker, combine turmeric-ginger shrub, lemon juice, and honey syrup. Shake with ice until chilled. Strain over the ice in your glass. Top with sparkling water and stir gently. Garnish with a thin lemon slice and a pinch of ground turmeric.
Pro Tip: Create your own shrub by simmering equal parts apple cider vinegar, sugar, turmeric, and ginger, then strain and cool.
Berry Noir Smash
Ingredients: 4 blackberries, 4 blueberries, 1 oz black tea concentrate, ½ oz rosemary syrup, 3 oz soda water, and fresh rosemary sprig for garnish.
Instructions: Muddle blackberries and blueberries in the bottom of a shaker. Add black tea concentrate and rosemary syrup, then shake with ice. Double strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Top with soda water and stir gently. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig.
Pro Tip: Brew a strong black tea and reduce it by half for a concentrated flavor. Make rosemary syrup by simmering sugar, water, and fresh rosemary until aromatic.
Coconut Lime Thai Cooler
Ingredients: 2 oz coconut milk, 1 oz fresh lime juice, ½ oz lemongrass syrup, 3 oz ginger beer (non-alcoholic), and a lime wheel.
Instructions: In a shaker, combine coconut milk, lime juice, and lemongrass syrup. Shake well with ice. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice. Top with ginger beer and stir gently. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Pro Tip: For lemongrass syrup, simmer sugar, water, and bruised lemongrass stalks until fragrant. Strain and cool.
Each of these mocktails delivers a multi-layered experience, perfect for sipping solo or sharing with friends. Give them a try this Dry January, and you might just find your new favorite drink!