Dry January

Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks for Dry January Ranked by Category - The 2026 Edit

Q: Are non-alcoholic drinks high in sugar?

Not necessarily. While some mass-market &quot;mocktails&quot; are just expensive juice, the best non-alcoholic drinks for Dry January (like dealcoholized wines and craft beers) are often lower in sugar than their alcoholic counterparts. For example, a non-alcoholic IPA often has fewer calories than a standard soda or full-strength beer because the fermentation process consumes the sugars.

Apr 09, 2026

If you are doing the Dry January challenge this year, you don’t have to sacrifice flavor, ritual, or your social life. The market has exploded with options. But that brings a new problem. Too many choices.

With hundreds of new bottles hitting shelves, how do you separate the actual craft liquids from the glorified juice?

We did the tasting for you. We curated the definitive list of the best non-alcoholic drinks for Dry January, ranking them by category so you can build a menu that gets you excited about the month ahead.

1. The Best Sparkling White

Wander + Found Cuvee Blanc

Finding a dealcoholized wine that isn't a sugar bomb is basically the "holy grail" of this industry. Wander + Found cracks the code by focusing entirely on acidity. It starts as premium fermented wine from Germany. Then it gets dealcoholized in a way that keeps the body intact while stripping out the ethanol.

You get crisp notes of lime and green apple with a clean, mineral finish that actually lingers. It brings the complexity you expect from a dining wine. That makes it one of the few non-alcoholic drinks for Dry January that can stand up to seafood, poultry, or a heavy cream pasta without getting lost.

2. The Best Premium Sparkling (For Gifting)

Society De La Rassi

If you are looking for the bottle that turns heads, this is it. While Wander + Found is your go-to for dinner, Society De La Rassi is the "Celebration" bottle.

It is marketed as a high-end alternative to Champagne, designed specifically for gifting and special occasions. Crafted from 100% Chardonnay grapes from Spain, it offers a sophisticated profile of fresh citrus, white peach, and brioche. The bubbles are delicate, and the finish is bone-dry. If you want to impress a host or treat yourself to something that feels truly exclusive during Dry January, this is the premium choice.

3. The Best Craft Beer (Golden Ale)

Athletic Brewing Upside Dawn

Beer is the category that has "closed the gap" the fastest. Athletic Brewing is the main reason why. Their Upside Dawn Golden Ale completely fixes the watery mouthfeel that used to ruin non-alcoholic beers.

They use high-quality Vienna malt to create a toasted, cracker-like sweetness that gets balanced out by noble hops. If you crave that cold, carbonated "5:00 PM" ritual, this is the gold standard among Dry January non-alcoholic drinks. It satisfies the itch without the buzz.

4. The Best Ready-to-Drink Cocktail

Sir James 101 Gin Tonic

Sometimes you just want a cocktail without playing bartender. Sir James 101 is a standout because it nails the hardest flavor profile to fake. Bitterness.

Using natural quinine and juniper extracts, it delivers the authentic "bite" of a premium G&T. The botanical finish hangs on the palate. It forces you to sip slowly rather than gulping it down like a soda. It feels sophisticated and convenient. It is easily one of the alcohol-free drinks Dry January participants rely on when they need a glass in hand that feels like an adult beverage.

5. The Best Spirit Alternative

Ritual Zero Proof Tequila Alternative

If you miss the burn of alcohol, Ritual is the answer. It isn't a juice. It is a culinary tool designed to replace tequila in a Margarita or Paloma.

They use capsicum (peppers) and prickly ash to recreate that specific heat you get at the back of your throat when you sip tequila. It stops you from drinking it too fast. It gives your cocktail a backbone. It is widely considered one of the top non alcoholic drinks for people who want their drink to feel like a drink, not a dessert.

6. The Best Craft Beer (IPA)

Go Brewing Disarm Hazy

For the hopheads who miss that piney, resinous punch of a West Coast IPA, Go Brewing delivers. Unlike a lot of non-alcoholic IPAs that lean too heavily on fruit juice to hide the lack of alcohol, this brew lets the hops do the talking.

It has that dank, tropical aroma you love with a dry finish that scrubs the palate. It stands toe-to-toe with full-strength craft beers. It proves that the search for authentic non-alcoholic drinks for Dry January doesn't mean you have to give up your favorite craft style.

7. The Best Red Blend

Splash of Red Blend

Finding a versatile red wine is essential for winter dinners. Splash of Red Blend hits the mark as one of the most reliable non-alcoholic drinks for Dry January. It is designed to be the ultimate crowd-pleaser.

It features a deep ruby color and notes of dark fruit and berries. Unlike many thin red alternatives, this bottle brings a "powerhouse" presence to the table. It’s the reliable, go-to bottle you want on your counter for Tuesday night pasta or a Sunday roast.

Bonus: The Best Discovery

Better Rhodes Insider Subscription

The hardest part of this month is guessing what you might like. Instead of buying random bottles, let the experts choose for you.

This box delivers a curated mix of new favorites to your door every month. It might be a new sparkling wine one month or a craft stout the next. It eliminates the guesswork. If you want to guarantee you always have the best non-alcoholic drinks for Dry January without staring confused at a website, this is the hack.

At a Glance: Top Rated Picks

In a rush? Here is the snapshot of the winners for Dry January non-alcoholic drinks to stock your fridge right now.

Category	The Winner	Best For...	Flavor Profile
Sparkling White	Wander + Found Cuvee Blanc	Dinner Parties	Crisp, Green Apple, Mineral
Premium Sparkling	Society De La Rassi	Gifting / Luxury	Brioche, Citrus, Dry Finish
Golden Ale	Athletic Brewing Upside Dawn	After Work	Toasted Malt, Floral Hops
RTD Cocktail	Sir James 101 Gin Tonic	Social Events	Bitter Quinine, Juniper, Citrus
Spirit Alt	Ritual Zero Proof Tequila	Margaritas	Peppery Heat, Agave, Earthy
IPA	Go Brewing Disarm Hazy	Craft Beer Lovers	Piney, Tropical, Resinous
Red Blend	Splash of Red Blend	Winter Dinners	Dark Fruit, Smooth, Bold

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drink non-alcoholic beer during Dry January?

Yes. To be classified as non-alcoholic, a beer must contain less than 0.5% ABV. This is a trace amount comparable to what you would find in a ripe banana or a burger bun. It is physiologically impossible to become intoxicated from it. So, it won't break your sober streak or your resolution.

Are non-alcoholic drinks high in sugar?

Not necessarily. While some mass-market "mocktails" are just expensive juice, the best non-alcoholic drinks for Dry January (like dealcoholized wines and craft beers) are often lower in sugar than their alcoholic counterparts. For example, a non-alcoholic IPA often has fewer calories than a standard soda or full-strength beer because the fermentation process consumes the sugars.

Do they taste exactly like the real thing?

They are designed to replicate the structure of the drink. The acidity, bitterness, and mouthfeel. They aren't meant to be identical clones. The goal of Dry January non-alcoholic drinks is to satisfy the specific craving, so you don't feel deprived. Even if the "burn" of ethanol is missing.

The "Friday Night" Rule

The secret to success this month is preparation. If you wait until Friday night to think about what you are going to drink, you will end up frustrated. By stocking your fridge with these winners, you turn the month from a challenge into a discovery.

Visit the collections at Better Rhodes to grab these favorites and start your year off right.