Raspberry rose spritzer

Dry January 2026: Nonalcoholic Drinks, Smart Swaps & Health Benefits

Clear minds, clean starts

Story + photography by Brooke Peck

Thinking of cutting back on alcohol this month? You’re not alone. Dry January has gained significant traction over the last few years. Young adults were the first to embrace the effort, but its popularity has expanded across all age groups. A survey conducted by Morning Consult reports that 22% of U.S. adults age 21 and older said they are participating in Dry January in 2026, compared to 17% who say they participated in 2023. 

For many people, December is full of social gatherings, family events, holiday meals and New Year’s celebrations, which can lead to an overindulgence in adult beverages. Dry January offers an opportunity to eliminate alcohol and help reset drinking habits. Health concerns like consuming excess calories, poor sleep quality and increased anxiety are among the reasons people might give Dry January a try.

As a result of this social shift, the beverage industry has seen an impressive rise in demand for nonalcoholic (NA) beverages. For many, drinking a beer or enjoying a glass of wine is typical at social gatherings. A growing offering of NA beverages makes it easy to swap out alcohol during happy hour while still enjoying time with friends.

Andrew Kelly has been the beer buyer at Roller’s Wine & Spirits on Hilton Head Island for four years. Recently he has seen huge growth among the offerings in the nonalcoholic beverage industry. “It’s a bigger section now. It’s much bigger than it used to be. I used to have a tiny little shelf with a couple of things on it, and now it’s grown into an enormous undertaking,” he said.

Kelly noted that after experiencing positive health changes, some past Dry January participants have altered their drinking habits well past the start of February. “I’ve got regular customers that did Dry January and then they continued throughout the year,” he said. “One particular couple who buys a certain brand of NA wine just stopped drinking alcohol during January, and it’s been two years for them.”

Kelly, along with Stephanie Skager, Roller’s Wine & Spirits manager and sommelier, shared some nonalcoholic beverage suggestions for those looking for a new NA drink to try during Dry January. 

 Amethyst NA Botanical Spirits 

Raspberry rose spritzer

Bright, floral and refreshingly light, this zero-proof spritzer lets Amethyst’s Blueberry Ginger Mint shine.

Ingredients 

2 ounces Amethyst Blueberry Ginger Mint

1 ounce Roseade Spritzer Rose Lemonade

1 ounce Poppi Raspberry Rose soda

Directions

Garnish with a lemon wheel and a couple of raspberries.

A light touch

The Classic is a nonalcoholic malt beverage crafted by Ceebo Brew Co. in Mount Pleasant. It’s described as a crisp pilsner with a light flavor profile and a small citrus note. “You can’t really tell that it is an NA beer and, honestly, it’s really refreshing for people who want something light,” Kelly said.

An IPA that behaves

Chaosmachine India Pale Ale is a nonalcoholic beer crafted by Burial in Asheville. “They are very well known in the IPA world. They are probably one of the best breweries in the region,” Kelly said. “It’s got a really good flavor to it and hop structure — just alcohol removed.”

Bubbles without the burden

Joie Sans Souci, which means “fun without worry,” is an alcohol-removed sparkling wine made in France. It’s available in single-serve glass bottles or in a traditional wine bottle in both white and rosé varieties. “I personally think in NAs, the sparklers have really been the standouts as far as flavor and being close to wine,” Skager said.

A spirit that doesn’t spike

Little Saints St. Ember is another nonalcoholic spirit that was originally launched on the TV show “Shark Tank.” The spirit contains lion’s mane mushroom, which can act as a mood enhancer. It mixes well with ginger beer or can be used as a substitute for mezcal or tequila in a margarita or mule recipe. “You’re not getting a buzz, but you’re getting a little lift,” Skager said.

Minty without the mischief

Little Saints also crafts a nonalcoholic mojito sparkling cocktail with reishi and damiana. The drink can be served on the rocks or consumed straight from the can. “You can just throw it in your cooler on the boat or on the beach as an alternative,” Skager said.

Botanicals, bottled bright

Amethyst is a nonalcoholic spirit option focused on botanical flavors. It’s produced locally in Bluffton and is a Burnt Church Distillery brand. It’s crafted in four flavors: Lemon Cucumber Serrano, Blueberry Ginger Mint, Grapefruit Basil and Watermelon Lime. Each variety starts with distilled water and is then infused to create its unique flavor profile. The spirit can be served neat, at a 1:1 ratio with mixers, or combined with cocktail ingredients.

Smart swaps

Looking to keep the ritual without the alcohol? These easy swaps let you enjoy familiar flavors while staying committed to Dry January or anytime you want a lighter option.

  • If you love prosecco, try an alcohol-removed sparkling wine with bright bubbles and a clean finish.
  • If you order gin & tonics, reach for a botanical NA spirit mixed with tonic and a squeeze of lime for the same refreshing bite.
  • If margaritas are your go-to, mix a citrus-forward NA spirit with lime juice and ginger beer for a zesty, tequila-free twist.
  • If you crave a cold beer, pick up a crisp NA pilsner or IPA that delivers full flavor without the buzz.
  • If you like whiskey cocktails, try an oak-aged NA spirit with soda and orange peel for a smooth, smoky stand-in.
  • If you enjoy spritzes, combine NA aperitif-style spirits with soda water and a citrus wheel for a refreshing sunset sip.

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