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. While many brands are creating convincing alternatives to beer, wine and cocktails, Part 2 turns to naturally alcohol-free drinks, from kombucha and functional blends to teas and juice-based options that stand confidently on their own.

If you have not yet read Part 1, it rounds up the best alcohol-style non-alcoholic beers, wines and cocktails for Dry January.

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%!

Functional Drinks

‘Functional’ drinks is a fairly loose term but one that is increasingly prominent. According to ScienceDirect, functional drinks provide beneficial effects beyond basic nutritional values e.g. gut health, energy, focus, relaxation. This is achieved by incorporating desirable nutrients and bioactive compounds such as antioxidants, vitamins, and dietary fibers. In fact, many of the other drinks on this page could also fall under the ‘functional category’

Photo of can of Toby & Co functional drink

Toby & Co is a British-born brand that has released their debut product, The Green One. Ingredients like L-Theanine, lion’s mane mushroom and ashwagandha aim to support hydration, energy and cognitive clarity while delivering a flavour profile reminiscent of fine teas and Champagnes. £4.99 per can 

MUUSH is a functional mushroom drinkm, with Lion’s Mane being the star. Available in bottles or cans, MUUSH claims to boost your energy, help you focus longer and perform better. £23 for 12 pack | £25 for 700ml bottle

Catalyse are enhanced sparkling water drinks. Each flavour uses functional botanicals to support a different function: energy, immunity, relaxation or beauty. £29.99 for 12 pack

Soft drinks & aperitifs

Photo of cans of JAMU drink

Jamu promises lightly sparkling sodas containing jamboree of prebiotics, real fruit and apple cider vinegar. Newly released flavours are Raspberry & Hibiscus, Blood Orange & Peach, and Lemon & Basil. 1% of all sales go to the Ocean Conservation Trust. £2.49 | Jamu

Crodino is a bitter, non-alcoholic aperitif that is an absolute favourite of mine. It was created in Italy in 1965 so I’m counting it a standalone drink, rather than an alcohol alternative (although it definitely scratches that Aperol itch). £6 for 3 | Sainsbury’s 

SodaStream Okay, this one isn’t a drink per se but it does unlock a lot of homemade soft drink potential. They sell syrups to replicate some of your favourite drinks and the SodaStream Mix can carbonate almost any liquid, meaning you can unleash your mocktail creativity. Sparkling water alone is also no bad option. From £74.99 

Kombucha

Photo of Momo kombucha bottle

MOMO are a South London based husband and wife team producing traditionally made, unfiltered kombucha. Their latest flavour, Carmelo’s Green Mandarin Kombucha, is produced in collaboration with small-scale, seasonal greengrocer Natoora. £4.50 per bottle | MOMO, Natoora, Gail’s Bakery, Planet Organic and Whole Foods Market

Remedy Kombucha crafts their kombucha through traditional small-batch fermentation and offers a huge range of flavours in a convenient on-the-go can. From £12.50 for 12.

Energy/Sports Drinks

Photos of Tenzing Fiery Mango can

Tenzing is a natural alternative to your Red Bull energy drink cravings. They’ve just released the Winter Edition Fiery Mango which contains additional vitamin D to help boost your winter energy levels. From £2

Phizz are dissolvable tablets that act as a 3-in-1 hydration booster, electrolyte supplement and multivitamin. The new Daily Immune+ is a daily supplement to help you fight the winter flus. I find the tabs are a convenient alternative to Lucozade Sport for hydrating after exercise. From £7.99 for 20 tablets

Tea

Tea deserves more credit, so why not lean into the hot drinks this January?

Photo of Bird & Blend spicy margarita tea

DIRTEA harness the power of functional mushrooms to help you to stay energised, focused and balanced.. They are sold pure or as blends with popular hot drinks such as coffee, cacao, matcha and chai. Now available in sachet form. £8.99 for 7 sachets | Healf

Bird & Blend offer a range of 100+ fantastic flavours. There are January boosters such as the Cold Weather Warrior and The Digester, but also cocktail inspired teas like the Appy Spritz, Mojitea and Whisktea. If you can’t decide, there are also selection boxes. From £6.95 for 15 tea bags. 

JING’s Jasmine Pearls Sparkling Tea Ever tried sparkling tea? Jasmine Pearls are infused in cold, filtered water to bring out the green tea body and floral aromas, before being delicately carbonated. Serve it in champagne flutes for the full experience. £22.80 for 740ml bottle | JING

Final thoughts

Dry January no longer feels like a compromise, and the line between drinkers and non-drinkers is becoming increasingly blurred. If you’re not looking to recreate the flavour of alcohol but instead, for a refreshing alternative, then these drinks might just persuade you to keep going well beyond January!

If you are craving the familiarity of beer, wine or cocktails without the alcohol, Part 1 covers the best alcohol-style alternatives to try this Dry January.

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