Dry January is in full swing, and though we at VinePair love to drink as much as the next imbiber, we’re also proponents of sticking to our resolutions (well, some of us are). While some say Dry January simply isn’t a thing in 2021, others are embracing the low- and no-alcohol trends in the new year.
Need some inspiration? From low-proof spritzes, to non-alcoholic beers, to straight-up seltzers, here are the low- and no-ABV favorites of the VinePair team.
“Growing up, my family used to call wine spritzers ‘grandma’s cocktails’ because, as the name suggests, that’s what my grandma always drank. I’m proud (well, kind of) to carry that mantle now, opting for an easy-drinking spritzer — with equal parts Pinot Noir and club soda — when I’m not interested in anything too boozy.” —Joanna Sciarrino, executive editor
“My favorite low-ABV drink is definitely a light spritz. I love creating different variations depending on the occasion, but recently, I’ve been mixing pear juice with sparkling water and a splash of sparkling wine for a seasonal twist. It’s the perfect cocktail for chill afternoons.” —Katie Brown, associate editor
“Hard seltzer and Ranch Water.” —Josh Malin, co-founder
“If I want a low-ABV drink I’m most likely reaching for a hard cider.” —Jenny Robble, marketing intern
“I did a Dry-ish February last year (January was a lost cause), and it made me realize that so many low/no-ABV options can kind of stink, and I became obsessed with the ones that didn’t. I never thought I would really enjoy non-alc beer until I had Athletic Brewing’s Run Wild IPA. It’s so delicious and satisfying when so many non-alcoholic beers are not. I have heard amazing things about their other beers, and they’re on my list to try. My other go-to is a club soda with a few dashes of Angostura bitters and lemon. Put it in a wine glass with some ice and rosemary or thyme, and you’ve got a Diet Spritz.” —Jeff Licciardello, director of marketing
“I love Twisted Tea because no matter what time of the year I’m drinking them, it always feels like summer.” —Sophie Wasser, social media intern
“It’s a tossup for me between seltzer, seltzer, and seltzer. Because I talk about it too much already, I’ll avoid naming the brand, but it is one of few that uses real fruit, and my fridge is currently stocked with Lemon and Blackberry. I also have an 8-pack pack of S. Pellegrino Essenza in there for special seltzer occasions. And, I’ve been drinking a lot of NA beer! I’m a proponent of rotating these into your regular beer-drinking routine, not replacing it.” —Cat Wolinski, senior editor
“I love fad diets. ‘Wellness’ is my fairy godmother, and I’ll drink anything with her name on it, but the product I’ve always stood behind is Sleepytime Tea. To elevate your chamomile routine, try to find a blend with skullcap, valerian root, and passionflower extract.” —Emma Cranston, editorial intern
“My favorite no-ABV drink is Recess, a sparkling water infused with CBD. I love the Blackberry Chai flavor. It’s overall a really calming drink (or so I think? Who knows if the CBD is just a gimmick?), but I actually really enjoy the taste. I also haven’t tried too much in the realm of low-ABV, but I am obsessed with the branding of Haus, so I’m hoping to get my hands on one of their apéritifs in the next few months.” —Danielle Grinberg, art director
“If I’m taking the low-ABV route, I like to opt for simple two-ingredient cocktails, like the classic Whiskey Highball or a Ranch Water. In both cases, Topo Chico is the way to go.” —Tim McKirdy, staff writer
“I’m not one to usually seek out low-ABV options, but if I’m looking for something without alcohol, I head for the aisle that has flavored sparkling water. I love refreshing and fruity combinations, like watermelon and raspberry or pomegranate and lemon.” —Nicole McKay, editorial intern
“My favorite low-ABV drink would have to be White Claw Grapefruit. I know it’s basic, but it’s so refreshing and I feel like it doesn’t taste as artificial as some other hard seltzers. It’s great to drink by itself served with ice, and I also use it a lot to mix with when I’m making cocktails, since I can reduce the amount of tonic water that I use.” —Gerry Selian, junior designer
“My favorite low- (barely there) ABV drink is kombucha! Particularly this brand that I find at Trader Joe’s.” —Jenny Riddell, director of brand partnerships & events
“When I am not imbibing at all, I prefer to drink water. Most of us don’t drink enough water to begin with, so if I’m skipping a drink at the end of the day, or with dinner, I might as well replace it with something most of us already don’t get enough of. When it comes to a low-alcohol drink, I really love an Americano or a Campari and soda. Bitter and delicious with just enough alcohol for a slight buzz.” —Adam Teeter, co-founder & CEO
