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 start 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. 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.
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, here are some of the best spots in Denver and beyond to grab an N/A drink.
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 Plum Spritz, which combines plum, rose, coriander, peppercorn, and Mediterranean tonic. The Cherry on Top is a fun take on the ever-popular Espresso Martini with Novo Coffee Espresso blend mixed with cherry and oat milk. Or, try the Redacted, an alcohol-free version of The Block’s aperitif and amaro, perfect for Negroni fans.
Vacancy, a daytime concept located in the distillery’s tasting room, also has a plethora of spirit-free drinks like the Peach Zinger (green Rooibos tea, peach, ginger, white miso, and housemade soda water) and the Pandamn (espresso, orange, lemongrass, pandan, and house soda water). 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, including mocktails, hot drinks, kombucha, electrolyte drinks, and N/A beers. Find colorful, Instagram-worthy sips with the Blood Orange Spritz Mocktail with Lyre’s N/A Italian Aperitif. The Kiwi Marg Mocktail with Ritual N/A Agave Spirit, kiwi, and lime is another winner, and has a perfectly salted rim. Also try the Daydream Mocktail with Tweedle CBD Spirit, mango orgeat, agave, and lemon. If you’re feeling chilly warm up with a Hot Spiced Cider or Not-Toddy. 2775 Valmont Rd., Boulder, therayback.com
Ultreia
Just in time for Dry January, Ultreia in Union Station just released a new lineup of N/A cocktails to pair with the restaurant’s selection of Spanish tapas and Portuguese petiscos. Mocktail options include the New Years Rez(er)olution with Ritual N/A whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup and the Ju-No-Per Gin Hound with Ritual zero-proof gin, Three Spirits Livener, lime, juniper clove syrup, and grapefruit soda.
If you want to munch on something while sipping on your mocktails, try the melt-in-your-mouth Moorish Spiced Ribs and thank us later. 1701 Wynkoop St. #125, Denver, ultreiadenver.com
Ajax Downtown
After stopping at Ultreia, bar hop over one block to Ajax Downtown to sample its year-round spirit-free beverage menu. Also check out the January-specific specials including the Sneaky Link with Seedlip Grove 42, passionfruit, orgeat, coconut milk, and lime. We’re also drawn to the Mr. Manager with Ritual N/A rum, Ritual Aperitif, pineapple, molasses, and lime. 1899 16th St. Mall, Denver, ajaxrestaurant.com
MAKfam
MAKfam’s mocktail menu isn’t just zero proof, it’s also zero waste. The Michelin Bib Gourmand Chinese joint’s N/A beverage selection utilizes kitchen and bar scraps to come up with some clever concoctions like the Ginger Orange Blossom Fizz that uses ginger peelings from the kitchen to create a zingy tea to pair with lime, orange blossom water, and fizzy water.
There’s also the Don’t Be So Jaded, which incorporates otherwise unusable pineapple skins, pulp, and Mandarin husks to make an N/A pineapple and mandarin cordial. Mixed with green tea, spirulina, and lime, it’s one drink we want to drink all month and beyond. 39 W. 1st Ave., Denver, makfam.co
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 Cha Cha Chai, made with with chai-infused Seedlip 94, rosemary, coconut water, cranberry, lemon, and orange; the Golden Harmony, with Lyre’s White Cane Spirit, Seedlip Garden 108, ginger, tamarind, verjus, orange, and spiced whipped honey; and Off The Top with Lyre’s gin, thyme syrup, pomegranate blood orange, and soda. 1330 27th St., Denver, nocturnejazz.com
Hey Kiddo/OK Yeah
Part of the Id Est restaurant group’s portfolio, Hey Kiddo and its backroom speakeasy, Ok Yeah, offer creative spirit-free cocktails. Options include the Trip Sitter, a funky play on a gold rush with Three Spirit Nightcap, Herbal Riot Bakers Bitters, miso honey, and lemon. Visitors may also enjoy The Wayfarer with Pathfinder Hemp & Root Spirit, pear, lime, locally-made Haykin N.A. Cider, and mint.
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 an N/A Lady Marmalade, a bright mixture of Seedlip grove, fresh lemon, honey, Lyre’s Amalfi spritz, and locally made Dram CBD Rose Beauty Bubbles. 2200 Larimer St., Denver, wonderyard.com
Odie B’s
With its second restaurant slated to open this January (dubbed BoomBots Pasta Shop), diners will be able to enjoy Odie B’s brunch mocktails at multiple locations. Known for great sandwiches and a line-worthy brunch, try a cocktail with a sober spin. For example, the N/A-perol Spritz deck out with Free Spirits Milano Apertivo, Squirt, and Grüvi Dry-Secco. Or, keep it classic with the No-mosa, made with Grüvi Dry-Secco and choice of orange, passion fruit, or mango juice. 2651 W. 38th Ave., Denver, odie-bs.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 it’s 20 degrees outside. 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
