My New Year’s Resolution is to be more optimistic, so I’m happy to announce that 2022 is going to be awesome and probably the best year ever. Along with a hint of optimism, I’m also attempting some healthy living so along with 1 in 5 people in the UK, I’ll be ditching the booze for January.
I find that the hardest thing about dry January isn’t the lack of alcohol but the lack of exciting drinks. A room-temperature glass of orange squash just isn’t the same as cracking open a cold beer after work. Again, it’s not the alcohol aspect, it’s that the cold bottle in the fridge is a treat and the water/juice/tea/pop you drink all day is just a bit boring.
That’s why we’ve rounded up our favourite non-alcoholic drinks that we think are exciting a bit unique. Whether you simply want an alcohol-free version of your favourite tipple or fancy trying something totally different, we have a wide selection of soft drinks for you to enjoy through January and beyond. Check out our full range of drinks here.
It was gin that got me through 2020 so that’s where we are going to start…
Seedslip Garden 108 Non-Alcoholic Spirit ‘Gin’
It looks like a fancy bottle of gin, it smells like fancy gin and guess what? It tastes like a fancy gin - rich with English botanicals and a heavenly aroma. Garden 108 is herbal, grassy, and floral, with peas, hay, and spearmint giving it a delicate flavour. If you like to wind down in the evening with a Gin and Tonic in hand, then this is a great non-alcoholic alternative. The therapeutic drink-making process is the same. Pour a measure of Garden 108 over ice, add tonic and stir. Voila! We recommend an elderflower tonic to really accentuate the flavours and if you’re pushing the boat out then a slice of cucumber or sprig of mint are both ideal garnishes.
Nix and Kix Cucumber and Mint Drink
This lightly sparkling and refreshing drink of cucumber, lime, mint and apple packs a subtle punch with a hint of cayenne pepper to give a warming feeling and a natural energy boost. If a minty mojito is your cocktail of choice, then this is will be right up your street. Serve it cold in a glass with ice and mint (and a little cocktail umbrella if it’s been a rough day) and the spicy bite will ensure you don’t miss the tang of alcohol. Unlike a can of pre-mixed cocktail, no one will judge you if you kick start your morning with a can of Nix and Kix.
Smashed Cider, Lager and Citrus IPA
Drynks Unlimited developed the range of Smashed non-alcoholic beer and ciders after noticing a gap in the market. They realised that there are a lot of sweet and fizzy soft drinks but there isn’t much choice for those who enjoy the taste of beer and just want to cut out the alcohol. As a result, you can’t tell that the following drinks are alcohol-free, they taste the same. You’ll be able to tell the difference in the morning though when you wake up hangover free. The tagline for this range is ‘Forget boring AF, this is refreshing AF!’ and frankly we’re inclined to agree.
Smashed Cider - A crisp apple cider with the perfect balance of sweetness and sharpness.
Smashed Lager - A refreshing, pale gold lager beer with hints of barley malt, complex aromatic floral notes and a mild, hoppy bitterness.
Smashed Citrus IPA – A unique and refreshing citrus beer, with a perfect balance of citrus, malt and hints of hops & barley.
C Swiss The Original Cannabis Iced Tea
It doesn’t contain alcohol, nor does it contain any other mind-altering substances (sorry to disappoint) but it’s packed with flavour and makes a great talking point. C Swiss is a premium iced tea made from clear spring water, finest black tea, lemon juice, Swiss hemp flower syrup and Swiss hemp flower extract. It’s sweet, refreshing and has an unusual flavour that will make you forget all about alcohol.
Coconut Bio-Organic Kombucha
I’ve heard people talk about Kombucha and assumed it was a kind of fancy alcohol. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Kombucha is a fermented green tea that contains live cultures and antioxidants to help maintain a healthy gut. Granted it sounds revolting but trust me, it’s delicious.
The Gutsy Captain Company prides itself on producing premium Kombucha that boasts a variety of health benefits such as aiding digestion and boosting energy. Kombucha is naturally slightly bubbly so it’s a great alternative those fizzy drinks that are high in sugars and additives. You can enjoy Kombucha on its own or if you’re feeling fancy you could treat yourself to a mocktail using the following recipe.
(Serves 2 )
- 1 bottle of GUTsy Captain Kombucha Coconut
- Frozen berries
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon of honey
We hope you’ll find something new to enjoy and wish you good luck if you’re taking part in dry January.
