Dry January has evolved. What was once framed as a month of strict self-denial has become a far more appealing proposition. Across the UK, more people are consciously pressing pause on alcohol (1 in 5!) while still seeking drinks that feel exciting and satisfying, minus the next-day fog. Participation in Dry January has more than doubled since 2019, and moderation is increasingly a year-round habit rather than a one-month reset. According to Drinkaware, 44% of UK drinkers drink low or non-alcoholic options, with younger generations (18-34) leading this shift.

Whether you are cutting back, going cold turkey or simply curious about a sober start to the year, alcohol-free is anything but dull these days. With most alcohol now consumed at home rather than in bars and pubs, Part 1 focuses on the best alcohol-style drinks for Dry January. We’re talking non-alcoholic beers and wines to zero-proof cocktails, designed to replicate the experience without the alcohol (and hangover!).

If you are more interested in drinks that are naturally alcohol-free and not designed to replicate beer, wine or cocktails, you can skip ahead to Part 2 here.

What counts as non-alcoholic?

In the UK, non-alcoholic drinks have an alcohol by volume (ABV) of <0.5%, while anything 0.5-1.2% is classed as low alcohol and drinks >1.2% are alcoholic (learn more here)

You may be expecting non-alcoholic drinks to have 0% alcohol, and many of them do, but small amounts of alcohol actually occur naturally in many everyday foods and drinks. Fermentation and ripening can produce trace levels of alcohol. For example, a ripe banana and some fruit juices reach up to 0.6%, while soy sauce typically contains 1.5-2%!

Wine

NOOH is made in Provence by award-winning winemakers Château La Coste. NOOH White is created from Sauvignon Blanc grapes, with a grapefruit, strawberry and citrus flavour profile, while NOOH Rosé is developed from its famous Rosé d’une Nuit. £16 still, £31 sparkling

Della Vite Zero, made by Cara Delevingne and her sisters, is a French rosé-style 0% sparkling wine. Made from selected Grenache grapes, it is carefully de-alcoholised to retain all of the flavour and texture. £14.99 | Selfridges

Bottega 0 Rosé is crafted from grapes from Piedmont and Veneto, producing a vibrant, deep-pink hue with sweet, delicate notes of fresh fruit and florals. The Bottega 0 White is made from premium grape must from Veneto and has a soft, luminous appearance and sweet, balanced palate. £8.95 |Le Bon Vin

L.A Brewery uses natural fermentation and blends of foraged plants, flowers and seasonal fruits to create their unique take on wine. There are four sparkling flavours to pick from: White Rose, English Blush, Ginger and Citrus Hops. £2.69 per can (250ml) | £13 per bottle (750ml) | Various locations (Ocado, Amazon, Planet Organic, Virgin Wines etc.)

Lyres offers two sparkling wine alternatives. The Classico Grande combines green apple, pear and peach, while the new Classico Rosé blends red cherry, strawberry and a subtle hint of strawberries-and-cream. £14.99 | Ocado or Lyre’s

BOLLE is the only non-alcoholic wine to be twice fermented, including fermentation after dealcoholisation. Their Blanc de Blancs offers a dry, Champagne-adjacent profile with bright citrus, toasted brioche notes, and a long, savoury finish. £24.99 | Master of Malt or BOLLE

Moderato is an award-winning, French alcohol-free wine brand offering red, white and sparkling wines from their Moderato Cuvee Revolutionnaire range. From £13.99 | Majestic, Wise Bartender & Club Soda

Nozeco offer some of the most accessible and affordable non-alcoholic wines. Their selection includes Buck’s Fizz, Sparkling Brut, Sparkling Rosé, Still Rosé and Still Merlot. From £3.50 |  Major UK supermarkets

Photo of LA Brewery wine bottles and cans

Beer

Firebrand Brewing Co are based in Cornwall. They’ve collaborated with the local men’s cold water swimming group to create their latest beer, Blue Balls Hazy IPA. This was a firm favourite amongst my friends in a taste test. £2.80 | Firebrand.

IMPOSSIBREW‘s big claim is that their Social Blend™ offers the same relaxing “one or two pint feeling” by harnessing natural nootropics and adaptogens. They’ve just launched a new Cask Reserve Amber and Triple Hopped IPA. From £2.49 per can

Nirvana was the UK’s first dedicated low/no alcohol brewery to open in over 100 years when it launched in East London in 2016. They profess to brew great beers that taste as good as the ‘full-fat versions’. For breadth of selection, they’ll struggle to be beaten. From £25 for 12 bottles

Lucky Saint has become a staple for alcohol-free beer, with 1,250+ pubs now offering their beers on tap. They’ve got the Superior Unfiltered Lager, Hazy IPA, German Weissbier and a refreshing Lemon Lager now available. £22 for 12 cans.

The big brands are also all stepping into the alcohol-free beer market, making it easier than ever to get non-alcoholic beers in bars, pubs and local shops. Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0%, Estrella Galicia 0.0% and BrewDog’s new magnesium-powered Mello to name a few.

Photo of Blue Balls Hazy IPA can on beach next to swimwear

Cider

Sandford Orchards’ Red Zero Cider was named Best Non-Alcoholic Cider at the World Cider Awards. It’s created from apple varieties including Farmers Glory, Dabinett and Sweet Alford. £2.50 | Morrisons and Sandford Orchards.

Hydes Cyder Lyte is a wild- fermented, premium, hand-crafted cider using the original Hydes Cyder as a base. They use premium English orchard apples plus traditional bittersweet varieties. £15 for 3 bottles.

Photo of bottle of Sandford alcohol-free cider on a pub garden table

Spirits

The Pathfinder is a revolutionary hemp-based, fermented, non-alcoholic spirit inspired by America’s Old West. It is made using 16th-century-style copper pot stills and steeped in angelica root, wormwood, sage, juniper, ginger, saffron, orange peel, Douglas-fir and natural terpenes. £34.99 | The Pathfinder.

New London Light is developed by the team behind Salcombe Gin. The ‘First Light’  is gin-inspired, with juniper and zesty ginger. The ‘Aegean Sky’ is a Mediterranean aperitif, combining citrus and olive. The ‘Midnight Sun’ is Nordic-inspired with coastal berries, fresh kelp and pine. £25 | New London Light

Feragaia is distilled using traditional techniques in the Scottish Lowlands, combining 12 natural botanicals – including blackcurrant leaf, lemon verbena, bitter orange, chamomile, and cayenne pepper – to create a clean, complex spirit with a warming finish. £26.35 | Amazon, Master of Malt & Faragaia

Lyre’s Dry London Spirit is inspired by London gin, with juniper and citrus notes for a refreshing G&T. Lyre’s American Malt, a unique spirit curated to embody the essence of a gently mellowed American Classic Bourbon Malt and perfect for a hot toddy. £23.99 

Photo of bottles of New London Light non-alcoholic spirit

.

Cocktails / Ready To Drink

Free AF‘s top-selling cocktails have landed in the UK from New Zealand with three of their bestsellers: Apero Spritz, Margarita and Spiced Rumm & Ginger. Free AF’s Afterglow™ is a natural botanical blend that aims to give the warmth and tingle of their alcoholic counterparts. £2.50 per can.

Smiling Wolf offers four familiar cocktails: G&T, Aperitivo Spritz, Mojito and Negroni. Each contain their signature ‘Feel Good Blend’: a natural mix of L-arginine, L-theanine, L-glycine, caffeine and B vitamins to support mood, focus and calm from the first sip. £3.80 per can | Amazon, Smiling Wolf & 60+ independent retailers 

Della Vite has also recently expanded from wine, releasing a non-alcoholic spritz called Apererti-No. £20 for a pack of 8.

Fever-Tree are a household name in the world of mixers. They’ve now released their own, alcohol-free aperitifs, a Mediterranean G&T and an Italian Spritz. £1.90 | Sainsbury’s, Waitrose & Amazon

Photos of cans of Smiling Wolf mocktails

Conclusion

Dry January no longer feels like a compromise, and the line between drinkers and non-drinkers is becoming increasingly blurred. These drinks might just persuade you to keep going well beyond January!

Looking beyond alcohol-style substitutes? Part 2 of our Dry January drinks guide explores naturally alcohol-free drinks that stand on their own, from kombucha and functional blends to teas and juice-based options.

Want to try before you buy? I recommend going to Club Soda, an alcohol-free tasting room and shop near Covent Garden

Check out the official Dry January website for more advice and guidance