For some, the term Dry January may conjure up images of sickly sweet mocktails, cordials and tonic, and a month long abstinence from some of our favourite things. Luckily for us, zero-proof is no longer zero-fun. From winter warmers to appetite wetting apéritifs, here are a few of our Dry January favourites that we love year round. 

Warming Comforts

With January comes one of London’s nippier months, and a warming hot toddy or sloe gin cuddled up on the sofa is our go-to cure all for the winter blues. Thankfully, Mother Root’s Ginger Switchel is the perfect fiery hit for a cold day as a zero-proof alternative. Made from all natural ingredients, this highly concentrated ginger elixir works as well topped with soda in the summer as it does in a huggable hot toddy.  

A similarly warming affair is this Spiced Pear Cocktail. Concocted from a mix of Gimber, a non-alcoholic ginger concentrate, and New London Light’s gin alternative, this ‘mocktail’ serves as a lightly refreshing wintery treat. Simply top with Twelve Below’s Pear and Cardamom Tonic as an easy way to bring the humble G&T into the winter months. 

Alcohol Free Apéritifs

The perfect accompaniment to nibbles and early evening chatter, the apéritif has previously been a hard-to-replace zero-proof alternative. Lime and soda is a pale comparison to our favourite pre-meal drink, so we are incredibly grateful for these more appealing offerings!

A sharp alcohol-free companion to Campari, Aecorn’s Bitter apéritif makes the perfect summer serve. Topped with tonic or club soda and garnished with a wheel of orange, this auburn cocktail will ensure no one feels left out of the Aperol Spritz frenzy that will undoubtedly hit very soon, particularly on the slopes! We love these served with roasted almonds as a pre-dinner nibble.

The apéritif brand also offers a drier alternative, refreshingly herby with crisp sage and chamomile notes. A lighter serve than their Bitter, the Dry makes for a perfect sip on the rocks. We like to use our gossamer thin Cocktail Collection Rocks Glass for this ultimate zero-proof summer refresher. 

For a longer and more refreshing serve, we love Seedlip’s Garden 108. Paired with an elderflower tonic, the floral notes create a crisp G&T alternative. We like to garnish with a cucumber wheel or sugar snap peas for a sweeter note, creating an elegant choice in our Fluted Highball. 

Prefer a sweeter sip? Seedlip’s Minosa is a lively alternative to the brunch favourite, showcasing Seedlip’s Grove 42 blend. Whilst making a zesty zero-proof spritz, once mixed with orange juice and a non-alcoholic sparkling wine, the Grove 42 also creates a revitalising Mimosa dupe. A mix-up from the hair of the dog classic, but far more rejuvenating than the original; these can, of course, be enjoyed past acceptable brunching hours. 

Shunning Dry January?  

For everyone embracing an alcohol-free month, there are those of us who feel no need to abstain. If these zero-proof alternatives aren’t tempting you, we’re also dreaming of the sunnier days to come with the Mirabeau Riviera Spritz this January. 

A simple shake of 10 ml St Germain, 30ml Mirabeau Dry Gin and 10ml lemon juice is strained into a highball, we’re using our Classic Highball, and topped with sparkling water and a sprig of lavender. A summer en Provence even in January’s miserable wintery weather...