Mocktails for a Dry-ish January

December was FUN and FULL of indulging and unfortunately it’s time to lock it up. That being said, I have two wild toddler boys at home in the midst of the pandemic soooo why would I go completely dry? I wouldn’t. But, I am saving the wine for the weekends and attempting to be dry Monday through Thursday this month.

That said, I’m finding myself wanting something around 4 pm as I wait for Chris to get home from work at approximately 4:47 every day. And I want something other than the water and bubbly water I’ve been drinking all day long. I even found myself craving a diet coke yesterday afternoon and I haven’t had a diet coke in YEARS. So as I’m sitting there craving a diet coke and contemplating texting Chris to pick me up one on the way home (I didn’t) Megan started texting me about different mocktails she wants to make for dry January. By the way, I basically forced her to join me this week… and she doesn’t know yet that I’m suggesting we go dry every week (that is until she reads this haha).

Naturally, Megan is suggesting all these fancy mocktails, where as I’m more of a grab it out of the fridge because my children are screaming that they are starving and want 500 snacks even though I’m in the process of making them dinner at 4 pm. So whether you are more like Megan and have the time and energy to make fancy mocktails, or like me and just want to grab something quickly, we have them both for you. Maybe they will even convince you to join us for a dry-ish January! Check them out below.

Megan’s Mocktails

Cucumber Gimlet (pictured above) – 2 oz. plain sparkling water or club soda plus more to taste; 2 oz. Rose’s Sweetened lime juice (or swap with 1 oz. fresh lime juice and 1 oz. simple syrup); and 5 slices cucumber.

Combine lime juice and cucumber slices in a cocktail shaker and muddle the cucumber. Add 2 oz. plain sparkling water and ice. Shake to combine. Pour into a glass over ice. Top with more sparkling water to taste. Garnish with a cucumber slice.

A gimlet without the gin. Do you miss the gin? Yes. But does it still taste good? Yes, tart and refreshing! Will likely try with gin when dry-ish January is over.

Pickle Mocktail – 2 oz. grapefruit juice; 3/4 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1/2 oz. pickle brine, 1/2 oz. simple syrup, 5 oz. plain sparkling water or club soda; and slice of pickle for garnish.

Combine the juices, brine, and simple syrup in a collins glass and stir to combine. Add ice and top with plain sparkling water or club soda, gently stirring once more. Garnish with a slice of pickle.

Yes, this sounds crazy. A cocktail made with pickle juice? But I swear its a real thing (see original recipe here). And it actually tastes really good! I made and drank two pickle mocktails last night (its been a long week) but you do have to get over the pickle aroma while consuming. Why do I suddenly crave a hamburger?

Mallory’s Mocktails

Trader Joes Organic Sparkling Apple Cider Vinegar (Strawberry & Basil) – These make me feel like I’m drinking a cocktail and apple cider vinegar has so many health benefits. They also carry a cucumber & mint flavor but I prefer the strawberry (pictured above).

Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher – Megan introduced to me these a bit ago and while I’d prefer a beer, they are very tasty, zero calories and do the trick when I want a something other than water at 4 pm. You can find them at Trader Joes!

Sparkling Pineapple Orange Suja Juice – Bright and bubbly with zero added sugars or sweeteners. I randomly came across these a while back when I was fighting a cold and decided to give one a try. So good!

Recess CBD Water – We talked about CBD-infused sparkling water here that we bought from Buy Weed Australia Brisbane, and they are a great option to keep you calm, cool and collected during witching hour.

How happy is Megan drinking her mocktail? HA Ok.. who’s joining us for a dry-ish January? Any takers? Swap a mocktail for your glass of wine on Monday and let us know 🙂

P.S. I would like everyone to guess which sister made it to Friday on mocktails alone….