Best Dry January Mocktails

Christmas and New Years are over...It's January first and your head is pounding and for the 35th time this year, you ask yourself...why did I drink so much last night? Well at least I had a good time...right? It's okay. We've all done it and now it is time to sober up for at least a month. Clear the mind, save a few extra dollars, and finally commit yourself to the healthy lifestyle you've been dreaming about.

Dry January is a great time to reset and we're here to help with some of our favorite mocktail recipes. Our mocktail recipes will be heavily focused on shielding you from the cold. If you happen to be in Miami or Miami Beach (big difference) then check out our piece on tiki mocktail recipes. We are just a little bit jealous, I'll admit.

Spiced Apple Mocktails for Dry January

We happen to enjoy apple cider during the holidays. Maybe it's a bit of nostalgia from our childhood pretending we were drinking champagne. Either way, this recipe combines some of our favorite winter ingredients. Think nutmegs and cinnamon. This recipe does use a few more tools and might take a few more minutes than a traditional mocktail.

How to Make a Spiced Apple Mocktail

Overall this recipe is a simple combination of ingredients. Expect a warm flavor finish. This is one of the best mocktail recipes and one of our favorite mocktail recipes.

Ingredients

• 1 cup apple cider

• 1/2 cup ginger beer

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• Cinnamon stick for garnish

• Apple slices for garnish

Directions

1. In a saucepan, heat the apple cider over medium heat until warm.

2. Add ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg to the cider, stirring well.

3. Pour the spiced apple cider into a glass.

4. Top with ginger beer and stir gently.

5. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and apple slices.

Hot Toddy Mocktail

The Hot Toddy, perhaps the ultimate winter cocktail or mocktail. A little fresh fruit juice mixed with a bit of tea and some cinnamon and you're in for an absolute treat. Somehow this mocktail is not only a cure for the common cold (not entirely sure how it earned this title) but also a perfect after dinner drink. Of all the non alcoholic drinks this one is perhaps the most similar to its cocktail cousin. This is a mocktail that can be enjoyed during dry january and beyond.

How to Make a Hot Toddy Mocktail

Ingredients

• 1 cup hot water

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

• 1 black tea bag

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 3-4 whole cloves

• Lemon slice and cinnamon stick for garnish

Directions

1. Boil water and steep the black tea bag in it for 3-5 minutes. Steep longer for a stronger taste.

2. Remove the tea bag and add honey, fresh lemon juice, a cinnamon stick, and whole cloves to the hot tea. Keep stirring until the honey is thoroughly mixed in.

3. Allow the spices to sit for an additional 2-3 minutes.

4. Remove the cinnamon stick and cloves, or you can leave them in if you prefer a stronger spiced flavor.

5. Pour the hot toddy into a mug.

6. Garnish with a lemon slice and an additional cinnamon stick if desired.

Cranberry Sparkler

We're big fans of the cranberry sparkler for a few reasons. One is that its actually a refreshing drink that blends the sweetness of a simple syrup with cranberry and a touch of club soda or sparkling water.

How to Make a Cranberry Sparkler Mocktail

Ingredients

• 1 cup cranberry juice

• 1/2 cup sparkling water or soda water

• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

• 1-2 tablespoons simple syrup (adjust to taste)

• Ice cubes

• Fresh cranberries for garnish

• Rosemary sprigs for garnish

Directions

1. In a shaker, combine cranberry juice, sparkling water or club soda, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup.

2. Shake well with a cocktail shaker and strain into a glass filled with ice cubes.

3. Garnish with a few sprigs of rosemary.

IF you're interested in some variations of the mocktail, you could add a bit of pineapple juice or orange juice but that would make the mocktail more of a punch than a traditional sparkler. Not that there is anything wrong with that! In fact, most non alcoholic spirits or non alcoholic options can taste a bit too much like fruit juice if you're not careful with how much you add.