As the new year blossoms, many of us look for ways to refresh our routines and embrace healthier habits. Dry January, a month-long commitment to forgo alcohol is an increasingly popular resolution for resetting and revitalizing after the holiday season. Additionally, many Americans are reducing their consumption of alcohol overall, with a survey from NC Solutions showing that 41% of Americans planned to drink less alcohol in 2024.
Making changes to habits, especially when it comes to reducing alcohol intake, can be challenging. But the good news is, it doesn’t have to be boring or unsatisfying. With a little creativity and a few tasty ingredients, alcohol-free drinks can be just as enjoyable and refreshing as their boozy counterparts. Here are a few of our favorite mocktail recipes to help you get started this Dry January!
1. Smooth Citrus Spritzer
The Smooth Citrus Spritzer is a vibrant, refreshing mocktail that balances the bright sweetness of fresh oranges with a hint of vanilla and honey. A touch of olive oil adds a silky texture, while sparkling water gives it a lively fizz.
Ingredients:
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- 2 navel oranges
- 1 blood orange
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp raw honey
- 1-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1 cup sparkling water
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Directions:
Juice the navel oranges. Clean the skin of the blood orange and cut into cubes. Blend the orange juice, navel orange cubes (with skin), sea salt, vanilla extract, and honey in a blender. Strain the mixture through a mesh strainer. Pulse the strained liquid with the olive oil. Pour over ice and top with sparkling water.
2. Apple Cider Mock-tini
The Apple Cider Mock-tini is a festive and refreshing blend of crisp apple cider and zesty orange bitters, served in a cinnamon-sugar-rimmed martini glass. Topped with an optional garnish of a dried orange slice, apple slice, or cinnamon stick, this classy mocktail captures the cozy flavors of autumn in every sip.
Ingredients:
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- 4 oz apple cider
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- 1 tbsp cinnamon sugar (for rimming the glass)
- Ice (enough to fill a shaker and chill the glass)
- Optional garnish: dried orange or apple slice or a cinnamon stick
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Directions:
Moisten the rim of a martini glass with water or apple cider, dip into cinnamon sugar to coat, and set aside. Shake ice, apple cider, and orange bitters in a cocktail shaker, strain into the glass, and garnish with an apple slice, dried orange slice, or cinnamon stick if desired.
3. Nordic Citrus Sparkler
The Nordic Citrus Sparkler gets its name from the elderflower and lingonberry, two herbs native to the Nordic region, which lend their unique floral and tart flavors to this refreshing mocktail. Balanced with vibrant lemon and blood orange juices, and topped with sparkling water, it’s a bright and festive drink perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients:
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- 1 tbsp elderflower syrup
- 1 tbsp lingonberry syrup
- The juice of ½ a lemon
- 1/4 cup fresh-squeezed blood orange juice (you can also use grapefruit)
- Sparkling water
- For garnish: Dried or fresh citrus fruit slices and fresh cranberries (halved)
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Directions:
Mix the syrups and juices into a glass. Pour the mixture over crushed ice. Then top with soda to fill the glass. Garnish with the dried citrus fruit slices and cranberries and serve. To adjust the sweetness, you can increase the amount of syrup.
4. Lavender Blue Bliss
Lavender Blue Bliss is a refreshing mocktail that blends the zesty brightness of fresh-squeezed lemonade with the floral sophistication of lavender bitters, topped with fizzy seltzer for a light, bubbly finish. Bursting with muddled blueberries and garnished elegantly, it’s a perfect balance of vibrant and calming flavors.
Ingredients:
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- 1/4 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 cup fresh-squeezed lemonade
- 2-3 dashes lavender bitters
- Ice cubes
- 1/2 cup plain or lemon-flavored seltzer
- Optional garnish: lemon wheel, lavender sprig, or a few whole blueberries.
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Directions:
Muddle fresh blueberries in a shaker or glass. Add lemonade and 2-3 dashes of lavender bitters; stir or shake. Strain over ice (or pour directly for texture). Top with seltzer and garnish with a lemon wheel, lavender sprig, or whole blueberries.
5. Pineapple Glow Fizz
The Pineapple Glow Fizz is a refreshing herbal mocktail blending the tropical sweetness of pineapple juice with the invigorating kick of ginger simple syrup, topped off with bubbly soda water. Garnished with a fresh pineapple slice, it’s the perfect drink to brighten your day and get you thinking about a day at the beach!
Ingredients:
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- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup unflavored soda water
- 1 tsp ginger powder
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- Fresh pineapple slices for garnish
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Directions:
Create the ginger simple syrup: Add the ginger powder, granulated sugar, and 3 tbsp of water in a heat safe bowl. Heat over the stove or in the microwave until dissolved. Fill a glass with ice. Pour in 1/2 of ginger simple syrup. Mix Pineapple juice and soda water then pour in the glass. Stir lightly. Add pineapple for garnish.
6. Harvest Spice Cooler
The Harvest Spice Cooler brings the warm, cozy essence of fall into the new year with its blend of apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and fragrant spices. Perfect for a January evening, this drink combines crisp apple slices, fresh rosemary, and a hint of nutmeg for a sparkling toast to winter wellness.
Ingredients:
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- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup sparkling water
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Sliced apples
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
- A pinch of nutmeg
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Directions:
Combine apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, lime juice, and sparkling water in a mixing glass. Stir well, then pour over ice. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg. Garnish with rosemary and apple slices. Stir before drinking and enjoy!
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