JOMO’s Dry January 2024 Serves
By now, we are all familiar with Dry January. More people than ever are embracing a month of sobriety (originally started by Macmillan Cancer Support to raise money) during January and indeed throughout many times of the year. We are going to talk quickly about the key benefits (along with the downsides) of taking a full month off the booze and how Dry January is actually normalising not drinking which is having a strong impact on overall behaviours towards drinking.
Moderation VS Sobriety
Many are adopting a mindful drinking approach to alcohol which takes a look at the alcohol you are consuming, why you are consuming it and the effect it is having on your body. Every single person is different, so mindfulness is important, no matter what the outcome may be. When looking at moderation, here’s what we recommend:
Take a break to give your body a real rest and to take yourself away from the social norm. When you then go back to drinking alcohol, you will likely be more mindful about what you are drinking and how you feel.
Have a think about the why. Why are you drinking alcohol? Because you are happy/celebrating? Because you are sad/stressed? Because everyone else is? Because you don’t want to feel left out and there is nothing else to drink? Because you feel awkward. Work through these points.
Look at what you are drinking. Look at the strength of alcohol - this does have an impact. For example, gin has 40% ABV but Campari has 25% ABV. Reduce your serves to singles instead of the automatic doubles.
Enjoy what you are drinking and think of the flavour, instead of just drinking for drinking sake.
When looking at sobriety, here’s what we recommend:
Everybody is different when it comes to approach, needs and support, that is important to note.
Listen to your own body. The best thing about being sober is you can truly listen to your body. Write how your body and mind is feeling so you can appreciate the benefits no matter how small and assess your progress over time to keep you motivated.
Embrace alcohol-free drinks. These aren’t just drinks. These are a ritual and an experience to allow you to change your habits in a sustainable and achievable way. Swapping your favourite alcohol free drinks for water makes stopping drinking a lot harder as your pesky brain will be thinking on everything you are missing out on. If you replace your favourite alcoholic drinks for non-alcoholic drinks, the ritual is exactly the same and therefore makes it easier to keep your habits.
Always focus on the why. Why are you doing this? Beyond that, nothing else matters.
Social occasions. If you feel awkward saying you aren’t drinking to a group of people, look at the alcohol-free menu in advance to make sure their are good options on the menu, this reduces or stops questions and will keep you feeling included also. If you feel comfortable to tell your group in advance you aren’t drinking, this can be beneficial too.
If you aren’t sure about your drinking yet, here are a few key benefits to doing Dry January and embracing a full month of sobriety.
Better, quality sleep
More energy, productivity and focus
Clearer skin
Reduced anxiety
Stronger immune system
Here are a few of our favourite alcohol free cocktails this Dry January to try out.
BOTIVO’s Gold Rush
Botivo’s slow sipping botanical spirit is inspired by aperitifs and provide the perfect base and mouthfeel for an alcohol free cocktail.
Ingredients:
30ml Mahala Amber
20ml Botivo
20ml Blood Orange Juice
10ml Honey Syrup
30ml Lemon Juice
Method:
Shake all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
Strain into a short glass over ice and garnish with an orange twist.
ON Beer: She Loves Me For My Twang
ON Beer are giving you that warm buzz using the power of natural plants to give you a natural lift with every sip. Can be enjoyed cold out the bottle or works surprisingly well in a cocktail.
Ingredients:
15ml Maple Syrup
30ml Lapsang Tea
25ml Fresh Lemon Juice
Bottle of ON Beer
Method:
Add all ingredients to an ice filled highball glass and stir. Garnish with a lemon wedge.
MYTH Drinks: January’s Piña Colada
Who said Piña Colada’s were just for Summer? Get the fire on and whip this up to keep you feeling lifted throughout Dry January.
Ingredients:
120ml Pineapple Juice
60ml MYTH Coconut Cane Spirit
60ml Coconut Cream
Method:
Blend all ingredients with a handful of ice until smooth.
Pour into a tall glass and garnish with your choice of garnishes. Our recommendations: Pineapple wedge, chocolate grated on top, coconut shavings.
Drink Mocktails
January can feel like a bit of a struggle sometimes. Let’s make our cocktails super easy. Pop in the fridge and pour into your favourite glass. Sorted.
Favourite January Cocktail: Mockscow Mule. Pour into a mule glass over ice and garnish with a slice of lime.
Clean Co: The Dry January Negroni
Ingredients:
50ml Clean G
25ml Alcohol Free Sweet Vermouth such as AF Martini Vibrante
1 Tsp Marmalade
Method:
Add all ingredients to a short rocks glass over a large ice cube. Stir well.
Twist an orange peel over the glass to release aromas, then discard. Garnish with a slice of orange.
Bemuse: Ginger & Cardamom Sour
The world’s first alcohol-free sparkling mead. Refreshing and incredibly unique. Enjoy solo or or in cocktails! Have the cans for on the go sipping or enjoy their large glass corked bottles for celebrating and an evening serve.
Ingredients:
Ginger & Cardamom Bemuse
50ml Everleaf Forest
10ml Monin Ginger Syrup
22ml Lemon Juice
25ml Aquafaba
Dash of bitters
Method:
Shake all ingredients minus the Bemuse in a shaker over ice.
Strain into a coupe glass and top with Bemuse. Garnish with candied ginger.
CROSSIP’s Apple Toddy
Crossips’ alcohol free spirits all pack a punch and that is exactly what we are looking for in an alcohol-free cocktail. A Hot Toddy is a winter warming essential and this one is just wonderful.
Ingredients:
25ml CROSSIP’s Rich Berry
125ml Cloudy Apple Juice
Method:
Heat all ingredients on a low heat in a pan.
When hot, pour into a heatproof glass and garnish with a slice of lemon.