10 soft drinks for dry January

January 6, 2022

A few years ago I decided to take regular drinking breaks. For the past year and a half, I’ve committed to leading a sober lifestyle in Cali. And although I’ve long since renounced alcohol, I still enjoy cannabis use rituals on a regular basis.

Although I used to enjoy a good alcoholic drink, the result of a drier and higher life was much better than I originally imagined. There is a wide variety of drinks to choose from, waiting to offer a rich experience without the debauchery that often comes with alcohol, and good-tasting soft drinks are easier than ever to find in supermarkets.

From classic beers to organic wines and adaptogenic drinks, there is a whole world of alternative drinks waiting to be drunk with less regret. Here is a list of some of the libations that have accompanied my low-alcohol lifestyle over the past few months.

Alcohol-free elixirs and aperitifs

Three ghost social elixirs

Plant Science Party Starter

Let’s jump into the spirited land of elixirs first. If you embrace the calisober lifestyle, you will hear the word quite a lot, usually in conjunction with other fancy words like guayusa and schizandra.

Guayusa leaves are native to the Amazon basin and are full of caffeine that will lift your spirits. The Schizandra berries, which originate from Siberia, promote healthy liver function, in contrast to alcohol, which has the opposite effect on this important filter organ.

These and many other ingredients can be found in Three Spirits’ non-alcoholic beverages. Mix with tonic water and a fresh citrus peel for a thirst-quenching pick-me-up.

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Ghia aperitif

a chic sparkling wine

Just when you thought you had your last aperitivo, Ghia came to save the day (or night). The bottle, branding and taste of this drink remind me of Mediterranean bars serving fresh panini while the wind shakes dangling curtains made from old seashells.

The fig concentrate and rosemary extract in Ghia make me think of Sardinia, but the gentian root and elderflower extract take me to the south coast of France – the epicenter of indulgence and slow living.

Curious elixirs

a thoughtful tonic

Your curiosity should be soothed by this fantastic hissing sound. Made in honor of the Negroni (the only cocktail I ordered when I went out), this bitter drink contains a good amount of rhodiola – also known as golden root – a natural tonic that combats fatigue and increases your energy levels.

Using only organic ingredients and no refined sugar, Curious is a carefully crafted non-alcoholic drink that is healing and complex to the touch, a tasty adventure for the novice and seasoned sober alike.

Non-alcoholic beers

Clausthaler non-alcoholic beer

the N / A beer that makes you believable

The day I tried Clausthaler, I realized that non-alcoholic beer can actually taste delicious. Not only good, but so comfortable that after every sip I want to swirl it around my mouth to make sure every corner of my tongue gets wet. The full flavor profile of the liquid is somewhat smoky and partly sweet.

This is the beer I initially suggest to the sober beer lovers who think that drops without alcohol are not tasty. I especially like to eat it with hearty dishes like jackfruit tacos or a beyond burger. Clausthaler washes down the aromas and refreshes the drinker.

Parc Pils non-alcoholic beer

the hipster second

This crunchy and hoppy lager takes notes from traditional brewing techniques while using a special yeast that converts grains into beer without producing alcohol.

Although the style could be described as Czech-forward, I like to mix Parc Pils with Sangrita (a mixture of tomato juice, orange juice, lime juice, hot sauce, salt and pepper) and drink it Michelada-style.

Sam Adams – Just the haze

a pleasant find

Even when I used to be drinking beer, ordering a Sam Adams never occurred to me. It just looked like a very unattractive beer, but boy, I choked my words as I took the first sip of their non-alcoholic Brewski.

The unforeseen passion fruit punch that got my taste buds pumping was the perfect introduction to Act 2, a hazy bitter cloud that lingers on your cheeks with the freshness of a minty aftertaste. At first I thought it was because I tend to pick lime-heavy sativas, but the fragrant taste is still there when I’m not smoking.

Wellbeing Conscious IPA

a trippy hooch

Having a partner who doesn’t drink or doesn’t drink much is the best support you can have when heading into a Calisober season like dry January.

I’m lucky that my environmentally conscious Bolivian wife is no longer the party animal she used to be and rarely drinks. That said, when I order my Wellbeing Intentional IPA, I have to make sure I get something for them. Not only does she enjoy the taste of this beer, but also its brand design and name, a reminder of the importance of mindful consumption in all aspects of life.

Sparkling hemp, wine proxies, and non-alcoholic whiskey

Niches hemp and adaptogenic sparkling water

the mood enhancer

The best part about being Calisober is obvious to Leafly readers that your cannabis use doesn’t need to be compromised.

With this special recess drink you can enjoy a dose of cannabis in the form of 10 mg of broad spectrum hemp extract mixed with ginseng, rose petals, L-theanine and blackberry concentrate.

While this part of the preparation helps relax the body, the complementary dose of chai tea will help support the mind and keep you sharp and focused.

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Wine proxies

Bring some N / A wine with dinner

Making acid takes on a whole different dimension when it comes to Wine Proxies, a series of liquid blends made from grapes and other natural ingredients that maintain the vino’s original, sometimes acidic, properties without a headache.

These alcohol-free wine proxies are the result of pressing Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer and Sangiovese grapes in combination with lychee, rhubarb or Baijan white tea, rooibos extract, galangal and kombu – among many other ingredients.

It may sound like something out of an Ayurveda book, but these bottles are more than just a drink. They are offers for dinner parties, fuel for social gatherings and companions for movie nights.

Monday whiskey

High score for a N / A ghost

Hardcore spirit fans: this is for you. The alcohol-free market has something for everyone, and the range extends beyond beer, elixirs, and wine. Monday whiskey has an Art Deco vibe that is reminiscent of the Gatsby era flair, not just in terms of looks but also the feel.

Creamy butterscotch and caramel add fullness, while ripened raisins and roasted coffee add depth to this alcohol-free whiskey. It’s topped with notes of warm molasses and burnt brown sugar.

One final tip for staying socially sober in dry January (and in general)

Have a soda with some Angostura bitters and a lemon juice when you fancy a drink with friends – and always have a joint close by.

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