Our Favorite Mocktails for Dry January

As the new year rings in resolutions, you may be brave enough to take on one of the trendiest challenges of 2024: Dry January—31 days without alcohol. Whether you’re looking to boost your health, calm your mind, or just slow down, we have the mocktail recipes to get you through the month. 

Alcohol Change UK officially started the Dry January campaign in 2013, and it’s become more popular each year. In 2023, 15% of U.S. adults—260 million Americans—pledged to participate in the sober month. The desire for a physical and mental reset happens to coincide with an increase in alcohol consumption. Since the late 1990s, alcohol intake in the U.S. has risen steadily. Pew Research estimates that, in 2021, the average American aged 21 or older consumed 603 standard drinks, and per-capita consumption tends to be even higher in the West.

That’s not to say we should all go cold turkey, but Dry January can be a refreshing break, especially after the booze-heavy holidays. And there are the health benefits, of course. Research shows that even a brief break from alcohol can lead to weight loss, better sleep, improved mood and energy levels, and increased physical activity due to more energy. 

But Alcohol Change UK says the real magic happens when Dry January is over. The sober month can actually help people be healthier drinkers year-round. “Being alcohol-free for 31 days shows us that we don’t need alcohol to have fun, to relax, or to socialize,” says the Alcohol Change UK website. “It helps us learn the skills we need to manage our drinking.” 

If you’re in need of a nonalcoholic pick-me-up this month, try any of our favorite mocktail recipes—and keep them handy for healthier drinking habits all year long.

Our Favorite Mocktails

1 of 7Thomas J. Story

Tiger Balm

This refreshing tropical drink combines off-the-shelf Wilderton Lustre, citrusy and floral, with a house-made zero-proof spirit.

2 of 7Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Dan Becker

Pear Tree

A little tart and a little sweet, this mocktail of lemon-lime juice and pear juice will wake up your taste buds. Add a splash of seltzer and an herb garnish for an elegant presentation.

3 of 7Thomas J. Story

Bella Coola

For a refreshing, nonalcoholic cocktail, Rosemary West—beverage director of Los Angeles restaurant Lulu—combines a botanical spirit with bright citrus flavors. “This cocktail is named Bella Coola after the Bella Coola River because Riverine botanicals are sourced from the Pacific Northwest,” West says.

4 of 7Photo by Annabelle Breakey; styling by Dan Becker

Sparkling Spice

This is a lively, aromatic, fizzy fluteful that makes a good stand-in for a kir royale. You’ll have enough syrup for eight mocktails.

5 of 7Latheleene Brown

Sunset Margarita (Nonalcoholic)

Our nonalcoholic take on a Sunset classic cocktail replaces tequila with Wilderton Lustre. The nonalcoholic spirit is also gluten-free.

6 of 7Photo by Annabelle Breakey; Styling by Dan Becker

Citrus Kiss

Sweet, tangy, and crowned with a sugar rim, this mocktail is sure to please the sidecar-loving crowd.

7 of 7Annabelle Breakey

Cucumber, Soju, and Blueberry Shrub Cocktail

Refreshing vinegar-based drinks are very popular in Korea—and, curiously, they’re a lot like “shrubs,” the vinegar-spiked fruit drinks of colonial America that are having a revival. Both inspired this sweet-tart cocktail by Seattle chefs Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi. Swap the soju for club soda to make it a mocktail.

Search All of Sunset’s Recipes