An Abstinent Affair: Recipes for a Delicious Dry January

Refraining from alcohol is a curiosity for some and an abstinent affair for others, especially during the month of January. As the memes on social media have reminded all of us, we’ve had a candy holiday followed by a pie holiday, then followed by a candy and cookie holiday, and then a bubbly holiday. It’s no wonder some approach January with a wellness and well-being perspective, setting resolutions to immerse themselves in fitness regimens or food and drink abstentions.

Here at Nemacolin, we’re seeing more and more people who want alternatives to alcohol, yet they’re looking for more than just a splash of fruit juice in their tonic water. Of course, we’ve stepped up, and delicious mocktails and non-alcoholic beverages can be found across the resort.

In 2006, Mr. John Ore coined the term Drynuary, and since then terms like Janupause, Teetotaler’s Month, Sober January, Dryuary, and Dry January have found their way into the mainstream. According to the American Association for Cancer Research, “… participation peaked in 2022, when many people decided to cut back following a rising trend of alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

For those who wish to indulge in this intentional self-care interlude without intoxication in January or beyond, we offer you a several artfully curated mocktail recipes and a few extras. Elevate your teetotaling experience at home, savoring a symphony of flavors that resonate with sophistication and the pursuit of a balanced lifestyle. Cheers to a spirited abstention, where the extraordinary meets the everyday with mindful wellness and exquisite taste!

Sans-Alcohol Sangria

Batching a mocktail is a great way to plan ahead when hosting a gathering of your family or friends. Sangrias are popular to serve, as they have broad appeal for casual wine drinkers. You’ll hardly miss a thing when you bring home a bottle of alcohol-free sparkling “wine” from The Patisserie such as a Prima Pave. Alternatively, you can use a lemon-lime soda. Add fresh fruits such as sliced lemons, limes, oranges, and cranberries to your decanter, punch bowl, or pitcher.

2 cups of cranberry juice
2 cups of white grape juice
1 cup of orange juice
1/2 cup lemon juice
4 cups sparkling Prima Pave or lemon-lime soda

Method: In a large pitcher add slices of fruit and cranberries. Add in the juices (withholding the final ingredient), then refrigerate until ready to serve. When ready to serve, remove the pitcher from the refrigerator, and add the Prima Pave or lemon-lime soda. Fill wine glasses with ice, a few pieces of fresh fruit, and pour your sans-alcohol sangria over the ice.

Curated Ice Cubes

Ice cubes are a sophisticated yet easy way to wow your family and friends. They are also the way to elevate your drinks without having to have a bartender experience. Ice can come in any shape or size, whether you’re using a traditional ice tray or you’ve picked up a fun star shape or circle mold.

The Difference Between Zero-Proof and Non-Alcoholic

Remember, when experimenting during Dry January there is a difference between zero-proof and non-alcoholic. Zero-proof entails there is no trace of alcohol present in the “spirit.” Beverages labeled as non-alcoholic may contain a small percentage of alcohol.

For instance, at the bars and lounges around the resort property, guests can sip on a non-alcoholic beer like O’Doul’s Premium or a zero-proof Heineken 0.0. The Heineken 0.0 contains 0.0% ABV (alcohol by volume), and it is deemed alcohol-free. The O’Doul’s does contain 0.2% ABV because it is “brewed as traditional premium beers – fermented and aged to full maturity. The alcohol is then removed through the use of low temperature, low-pressure distillation. This extremely gentle process allows the alcohol to be removed without heating or cooking the beer, which retains the full, rich and delicate flavor and balance of our non-alcohol brews.”

Dry January Immersion Around Nemacolin

• Each restaurant and lounge menu across the resort highlights a zero-proof cocktails section.
• Stop by The Patisserie in The Chateau where you’ll find a variety of alcohol-free wines from sparkling blanc de blancs to rosé.
• For those who are looking to ring in healthier habits into the new year, guests are invited to start their mornings with a smoothie trio at The Patisserie before hitting the fitness center.
• The resort’s Italian Cooking Class welcomes overnight guests and members with an Italian-curated mocktail before starting a hands-on pasta-making experience.
• Three days a week in January, the Circle Bar mixologists will be demonstrating the basics of a mocktail where guests can sip and sample and then take a recipe card home.
• The butlers can remove any alcoholic options from the minibar in your room or suite at your request.

Stay Curious and Supportive

There are so many ways to partake in Dry January whether visiting Nemacolin resort or relaxing in the comforts of your own home. This January, set yourself up for success by staying curious and being open to the possibilities. If Dry January isn’t a thing for you, pass this article along in support of your friends and family who wish to imbibe on mocktails and beverages without alcohol.