Elegant Mocktails to Kick off Dry January

Elegant Mocktails to Kick off Dry January

Elegant Mocktails to Kick off Dry January

Dry January is a concept that is unthinkable by many. It is the practice of eliminating alcohol for the first month of the New Year. Many can't picture completely cutting out alcohol for an entire month, however, there are numerous health benefits of cutting out alcohol, even if it is temporary. Alcohol is known to cause dehydration, inflammation. and reduced collagen levels that can increase signs of aging.

Here are twists on familiar drinks that will allow you to add a little elegance to your gatherings without adding the extra calories, or suffering negative effects on your health. When you take a break from alcohol, you will notice improvements in your mood, weight loss, better sleep, lower blood pressure, and reduced cholesterol, and clearer skin. These recipes will have you kicking off Dry January the right way and make you forget their alcoholic counterparts.

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Virgin Cuban Mojito

This recipe uses Ritual's all-natural non-alcoholic rum as a healthier alcohol substitute without the extra calories. This rum substitute gives your mojito notes of warm vanilla, toasted spice, and velvety decadence of dark rum. It is specially crafted to replace traditional rum this is made for cocktails and is not meant to be consumed straight or neat.

Equipment:

  • Glass
  • Muddler (or wooden spoon)
Ingredients:
  • 2 teaspoons of simple syrup or fine sugar
  • 6 to 8 fresh mint leaves for muddling
  • 2 to 3 ounces club soda
  • 1 lime
  • 2 ounces Ritual Non-Alcoholic Rum Alternative
  • Mint sprig, for garnish
Preparation:
Add mint leaves, lime juice, and simple syrup to the glass. Muddle mint leaves gently. Add as much ice as desired, then top with club soda and Ritual Non-Alcoholic Rum Alternative. Stir lightly to combine. Garnish with lime wedges and mint sprig. Enjoy!
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Blueberry Ginger Basil Cooler

This refreshing cocktail uses fresh fruit and herbs to deliver a beverage that can be served in a martini glass to create a chic late-night drink or serve in a highball glass for a casual gathering. The club soda is a fantastic sugar-free bubbly alternative to champagne and delivers serious festive vibes. This is a simple low-calorie drink that can even be enjoyed alone.
Equipment:
  • Saucepan
  • Strainer
Ingredients:
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cups blueberries
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 6 slices fresh ginger
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 sprigs basil
  • 8 oz club soda
Preparation:
Combine water, blueberries, lemon juice, ginger, and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. Add basil sprigs and simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let the ingredients cool in the refrigerator.  Once cool and strain ingredients creating a smooth syrup. Pour 1/4 cup of the syrup into an ice-filled glass. Top with club soda. Top with basil leaves and enjoy!
Tip: Syrup can be made a few days in advance and kept in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.
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Frozen Peach Bellini Mocktail

The best Peach Bellini's can undoubtedly be found at Cipriani's. In fact, the first Bellini was poured in the summer of 1948 by Giuseppe Cipriani, founder, and barman of the legendary Harry's Bar in Venezia. Located just off the Grand Canal, the iconic bar was frequented by the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Truman Capote, and Ernest Hemingway (Eataly). However, when you are partaking in Dry January and seeking to ditch the alcohol, this frozen peach bellini is a fabulous alternative.

Equipment:

  • Blender

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen peaches peeled and pitted, about the equivalent of 3 peaches
  • 2 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 cup ice cubes
  • 1 ¼ cups club soda
  • Fresh slices of peach for garnish

Preperation:

Into a blender, add the peaches, sugar, and ice cubes. Blend until completely combined. Add the club soda and blend until combined. Pour into champagne glasses and top with slices of peach or even a fresh herb of your choosing.
These three cocktails show you that Dry January doesn't have to be boring. Between the holidays and the pandemic, we have all seen changes in our alcohol consumption, and taking steps to reduce our alcohol intake can have major benefits. "Dry January is a useful tool in telling to what extent we have become dependent on alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic," Sharon Wilsnack, an expert on drinking behavior in women and a professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at the University of North Dakota, told TODAY. "Trying a period of sobriety such as Dry January can be very positive."
Cheers to Dry January!
By Mosaka Williamson

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