As another year rolls around so do whispers of Dry January, a month-long challenge to abstain from alcohol. Many people across the world participate in this trend, which started as a campaign by the Alcohol Change UK in 2013. The idea revolved around having a solid reset and starting the new year off right after the indulgence of the holidays.
We chatted with an expert to find out why Dry January can be beneficial. Plus, we found plenty of places to get a drink sans alcohol. In fact, some mocktails and zero-proof beers and wines are so good you won’t notice it’s booze free.
An Expert’s Reasons to Sign On For Dry January
Along with the bragging rights of surviving 31 days without any liquor, there’s health benefits associated with cutting out alcohol. Think improved sleep quality, digestion, and energy levels.
“Alcohol can increase inflammation and is, unfortunately, a known carcinogen,” explained Amanda Shumaker, registered dietician and owner of Mind Body Nutrition. “It’s a diuretic, meaning it dehydrates the body and depletes essential minerals. It can also disrupt your restoration cycles and lead to poor sleep quality.”
She added that many of her clients who have cut out alcohol see improvements in digestion, liver health (our main detox organ), improved energy levels, and even mood.
How to Drink Out Without Consuming Alcohol
“Drinking is such a social norm. It can help us feel calmer or more open in social settings, but honestly, no one really cares if you’re drinking,” Shumaker shared. “There are other types of drinks you can try like kombucha or, if you’re somewhere like a dive bar, go for a sparkling water with lime.”
Planning ahead is key, she added. If you’re going out to events, you need to be able to say no or set boundaries with friends. It also helps to look at a menu beforehand so you know what you might want to order.
For those used to sipping on something before bed, Shumaker advised trying healthy alternatives. She recommends pure tart cherry juice served in a wine glass or peppermint tea, which can have a calming effect. A mocktail made with fresh ginger can help with digestion and gut health, a perfect way to end the night.
There are also canned mocktail and non-alcoholic (N/A) beer options such as Three Spirits, Mash Gang, and Athletic Brewing, which are great for Dry January. Local company Grüvi makes a decent N/A wine, especially the Dry-Secco, which can be made into a crave-worthy spritz without the hangover. And Stem Ciders just released its first alcohol-free cider, Stem Zero, made with real fruit and a touch of apple cider vinegar for prebiotic support.
Overall there’s no shortage of N/A options out there. Many eateries and bars around the Front Range feature robust mocktail menus, with some even offering specials specifically for Dry January. For those embarking on an alcohol-free month or looking to reduce alcohol intake this year, aka zebra striping, here are 20 of the best spots in Denver and beyond to grab a low ABV drink.
Pig and Tiger
At Pig and Tiger, two-thirds of the cocktail menu can be made without alcohol. In fact, the team launched what they call a “convertible cocktail menu.” The idea behind this concept revolves around cocktails marked with a symbol to indicate it can be made full-proof or N/A, rather than having a separate zero-proof section.
For instance, the Mr. Brown (the restaurant’s take on an espresso martini) is infused with the flavors of the usually-discarded spices from Pig and Tiger’s housemade chili crisp. There’s also the May Mei (a Taiwanese Salted Plum Spritz) and the Baobing Sour (a shaved-ice style margarita with pineapple and pandan). 2200 California St., Denver, pigandtiger.com
Peach Crease Club
If you’re going to a show at Mission Ballroom, stop by the newly opened Peach Crease Club first, located just across the way. Founded by husband-and-wife duo, Alex Jump and Stuart Jensen, Peach Crease Club’s mocktails are given the same care as the full-proof cocktails.
Highlights include the Calabaza en Tacha, made with N/A mezcal, pumpkin, marigold, citrus, grenadine, and soda; the aromatic Fennel cocktail with citrus, vanilla, and strawberry rose vinegar; the deeply savory and creative Borscht, made with N/A vodka, beets, yogurt, dill, lemon, and horseradish cream; and the playful Peanuts & Cola featuring The Pathfinder, Three Spirit Nitecap, peanuts, and cola. 4180 Wynkoop St., Denver, peachcreaseclub.com
Joy Hill
Joy Hill offers spirit-free cocktails as delightful as the wood-fired pizzas. The Spiced Fig “Whiskey” Sour blends Spiritless Kentucky 74 with brown sugar–fig syrup, lemon, and a dollop of foam for a cozy winter sipper. For something fresh, the Garden Party uses a housemade strawberry-tomato shrub with muddled cucumber and soda.
Brunch drinkers aren’t left out either. Opt for the Blood Orange Faux-Mosa, made with Redentore Prosecco NA ‘Zero’ and vibrant blood orange. And for a tropical option, The Botanica mixes Seedlip Garden 108 with pineapple and lime for a zesty, refreshing finish. 1229 S. Broadway, Denver, joyhilldenver.com
The Block Distilling Co.
The Block Distilling Co. in RiNO might be known for its whiskies, gins, and vodka, but its non-alcoholic menu is just as impressive. The permanent mocktail selection includes offerings like the Apple Pecan Delight, which combines pecan Orgeat, apple, and soda, topped with marshmallow cold foam. The Vanilla & Dalgona Steamer is a fun take on the viral Dalgona (whipped coffee) trend, made with vanilla, oat or whole milk, and topped with Dalgona.
Or, try the bar’s array of house-made sodas which come in flavors like cream soda, ginger, root beer, and cola. Pro-tip, top a soda with marshmallow cold foam to make it taste like a float. There’s also a full line of espresso beverages to choose from if you’re just looking for a straight forward coffee instead of the typical espresso martini. 2990 Larimer St., Denver, theblockdistillingco.com
The Rayback Collective
The Rayback Collective in Boulder has a dedicated non-alcoholic drinks page on its bar menu perfect for Dry January, including mocktails, hot drinks, kombucha, locally-made electrolyte drinks in flavors like prickly pear and guava rose made by Corpse Reviver, and N/A beers. Find colorful, Instagram-worthy sips with the Blood Orange Spritz Mocktail with Lyre’s N/A Italian Aperitif and the Kiwi Marg Mocktail with Ritual N/A Agave Spirit, kiwi, and lime. If you’re feeling chilly warm up with a Hot Spiced Cider or Not-Toddy. 2775 Valmont Rd., Boulder, therayback.com
Nocturne
For a more sultry vibe, head over to Nocturne for the “Ain’t Misbehavin” N/A cocktail menu. It’s curated seasonally to pair with the jazz and supper club’s signature dinner and a show concept featuring a three-course menu.
This season’s iteration includes Crimson & Clover with Lyre’s London dry N/A gin, spiced cranberry syrup, and soda; and Utopia & Visions with Seedlip Notas de Agave, lime, cherry jalapeño syrup, and orange blossom water. 1330 27th St., Denver, nocturnejazz.co
Hey Kiddo/OK Yeah
Part of the Id Est restaurant group’s portfolio, Hey Kiddo and its backroom speakeasy, OK Yeah, have an N/A cocktail lineup that’s as artfully crafted as its Michelin-recommended menu. Options include creative takes on classic cocktails, made to mimic the flavor without any of the hard liquor. The Old Fashioned is made with Hemp and Root, spent coffee, and black garlic shoyu; the Sour with mango, passion fruit, cilantro and tomatillo; and the Negroni with Livener (crafted with guyausa, guava and green tea), aperitivo, and honey.
Notably, Id Est’s other concepts like The Wolf’s Tailor and Brutø, which both have one Michelin star, offer a great variety of mocktails that can be purchased a la carte or paired with a tasting menu. 4337 Tennyson St., Denver, hk-oy.com
Wonderyard Garden + Table
Get a dose of whimsy with a visit to Wonderyard’s heated outdoor garden, where it’s easy to enjoy a zero-proof drink such as the Disco Inferno featuring Lyre’s agave blanco, watermelon, jalapeño, and fresh lime. Find a seat in the charming tea cups to sip on a Secret Garden, a bright mixture of Seedlip garden, fresh lemon, cucumber, ginger beer, mint, and locally made Dram CBD Lemongrass Bubbles. Or, enjoy the fruity side of life with a Razzle Dazzle or a Peachy Keen (with blood orange soda and peach syrup) over brunch. 2200 Larimer St., Denver, wonderyard.com
Odie B’s x Dry January
Both of Odie B’s locations prioritize being a recovery-friendly workplace, so they take the booze-free beverages seriously. Stop by for one of the eatery’s cult-favorite sandwiches or its line-worthy brunch and pair it with N/A drink like the horchata, Blueberry Blaster (with blueberry, cinnamon, lime, and soda), hibiscus lemonade, and more. 2651 W. 38th Ave., Denver, and 1350 40th St., Suite 180, Denver, odie-bs.com
Boombots Pasta Shop
From the same owners of Odie B’s, Boombots Pasta Shop is located right next door to the sandwich shop’s Sunnyside location. Like its sister concepts, it is also a recovery-friendly workplace with a non-alcoholic drink menu that proves mocktails can be just as tasty as the real thing all year long, not just during Dry January.
Pair one of the restaurant’s eclectic pasta dishes, like the everything-seasoned cavatelli stroganoff or samosa-inspired agnolotti, with beverages like the No-Proof Bell Ringer (zero proof aperitif, bell pepper, and celery salt) or the Tunnel Vision (mole-spiced verjus, blood orange, and citrus). They also offer Best Day Brewing N/A beers and Lapos Non-Alcoholic Cocktails. 2647 W. 38th Ave., Denver, boombotspasta.com
Mezcaleria Alma
At Johnny Curiel’s Mezcaleria Alma, beverage director Jen Mattioni approaches the non-alcoholic side of the menu with the same level of detail as the mezcal-driven cocktails, even when it’s not Dry January. The NA Colada brings tropical warmth through Lyres White Cane, pineapple, coconut, epazote, and lime, while the NA Fig Negroni layers Lyres Dry Gin, Ritual Aperitif, Pathfinder Amaro, fig, tamarind, and cardamom bitters for a deeply spiced, spirit-forward alternative. For something spritzy, try the NA Beet Spritz with Lyres Agave, beet, dill, Gruuvi NA bubbles, and lemon. 2550 15th St., Denver, mezcaleriaalma.com
Perdida Kitchen
With locations in Washington Park and Westminster, this chic Mexican joint has a large variety of tropical mocktails that will make you forget we’re in Colorado. Get into the island vibe with the Coco No Loco, a mixture of coconut, pineapple, passion fruit syrup, lime, and agave. Spend the evening swooning over the Spiced Sangria, made with pomegranate, lemon, and spiced hibiscus. Or, simply go for a lime juice, agave, and soda drink dubbed Lime Breeze, among others. 1066 S. Gaylord St., Denver and 1257 W. 120th Ave., Westminster, perdidakitchen.com
Great Divide Brewery and Roadhouse RiNo
Although widely recognized for its award-winning brews, the newly-reimagined taproom in RiNo has a full lineup of zero-proof drinks perfect for Dry January. In addition to the brewery’s craft N/A beers, including the Trail Pass Golden N/A and Trail Pass IPA N/A, there are also mocktails like the Summer Breeze, a bright blend of Q Ginger Beer, fresh strawberries, lemon, and mint for a crisp cooldown.
For something with a sweet-and-spicy kick, the Spicy Sunset is made with Q grapefruit soda, grapefruit bitters, fresh lime, jalapeño, agave, and a Tajín rim. Or, for a more herbaceous beverage, the Bloomin’ Herb is beautifully balanced with a mix of orange bitters, hibiscus syrup, rosemary, and fresh lemon. 3040 Blake St. #101, Denver, greatdividebreweryandroadhouse.com
Dry January at Magna Kainan
Magna Kainan’s zero-proof menu is filled with Filipino-inspired flavor. The signature Ube Colada is a longtime favorite, combining a berry-botanical blend with ube, coconut, vanilla, and calamansi. The Mango Bay brings together mango, coconut, and calamansi for a tropical soda-shop vibe, while the Pandan Lemonade with calamansi, lemongrass, and pandan.
Don’t sleep on the Toasted Rice Beverage, which blends toasted brown rice, vanilla, cinnamon, and coconut for a comforting, horchata-esque concoction. While you’re there, make sure you order some of chef Carlo Lamagna’s standout dishes like the skewers, lumpia, Mom’s Crab Fat Noodles, or Adobo Fried Rice. 1350 40th St., Denver, magnadenver.com
Adrift Tiki Bar
Adrift’s dedicated “On Dry Land” menu proves that tiki parties don’t need rum to make fun. For example, the P.O.G. blends passion fruit, orange, and guava into a sweet tropical treat, while the N/A Mai Tai brings Ritual Rum, orange, orgeat, and lime into a surprisingly complex non-alcoholic take on the tiki classic. For something creamy, the N/A Painkiller mixes Ritual Rum with pineapple, coconut, orange, and nutmeg. So whether going out for Dry January or just because you want a mocktail, Adrift has you covered. 218 S. Broadway, Denver, adriftbar.com
Carne’s Dry January Drinks
Carne in RiNo, the globally-inspired steakhouse from six-time James Beard nominated chef Dana Rodriguez, brings zero-proof sophistication to its 1970s-inspired space. The Wildflower mixes verjus, calendula, and Strongwater Indian tonic for a floral, refreshing option. On the warming side, You Pretty Thing layers cinnamon, cardamom, lemon, and Strongwater aperitif. Try the Boogie Wonderland for a take on a non-alcoholic spritz with basil, lime, and Strongwater grapefruit soda. 2601 Larimer St., Denver, carnerino.com
Toro by Chef Richard Sandoval
During a night out in Cherry Creek, stop by Toro for its wide selection of mocktails that cover everything from creamy and tropical to tart and herbal. The Espresso Notini is a decadent pick-me-up made with rich espresso, bright lemon, lavender, and vanilla. Clarita brings together coconut milk, lime, orange, and pineapple for a refreshing, smooth sip.
For spice lovers, the Maria Bonita delivers passionfruit, serrano, grapefruit, lime, and a hint of agave, topped with fizzy club soda. Guests can also order any of Toro’s signature cocktails made zero-proof, including the classic Mercado Margarita. 150 Clayton Ln. Ste. B, Denver, torodenver.com
Federales Does Dry January
If you’re out bar-hopping with the bros, Federales in RiNo is going all-in on Dry January. The taco joint has an entire zero-proof selection featuring reimagined classics like the N/A Margarita and N/A Paloma that pack all the citrusy vibrance of the boozy counterparts. It also offers options like the N/A Rationale Michelada and Athletic “Atlética” Mexican-style Copper Ale for those who want the full cantina experience, minus the tequila. 2901 Larimer St., Denver, federalesdenver.com
Corsica Wine Bar
Corsica in RiNo brings escapist coastal vibes to Dry January. The frozen Citron Sunrise made with chamomile citron pressé offers a bright and sunny winter pick-me-up. The Espresso Tonic with espresso, tonic, and grapefruit appeals to coffee lovers looking for something different. The Raspberry Beret layers lapsang souchong tea, raspberry shrub, pink peppercorn, aquafaba, and lemon for a sophisticated sipper, and the Chenille blends honeydew, celery, salted honey, lemon, mint, and ginger beer during happy hour. 2801 Walnut St. Suite 100, Denver, corsicawinebar.com
Dry January at Gold Point
This moody RiNo bar has a mocktail lineup that’s just as great as its side patio, whether you come for Dry January or not. The Cuffing is tart and refreshing, built around Martini Floreale for a crisp, aperitivo-style sipper. Commit to the Situationship, a slightly bitter, fall-like tipple highlighted with apple soda, and Chinese five spice. Despite the name, you won’t want to leave the Ghosted mocktail behind, it has a mellow, spiced-umami profile thanks to Three Spirits Nightcap shaken with Indian spices and miso. And for those craving a classic, the Phony Negroni tastes remarkably close to the real thing, just without the booze. 3126 Larimer St., Denver, CO, goldpointdenver.com
