With a record-breaking 6.5 million UK adults expected to give Dry January a go in 2022, there has never been a better time to cut down on our alcohol intake. 

However, many people still struggle to give up on alcohol since so many social occasions - such as Friday night meet-ups and weekend brunches with friends - tend to revolve around alcohol consumption, and they understandably aren’t willing to sacrifice these events. 

With this in mind, the expert team at Bottomless Brunch have taken a look at a selection of the most delicious alcohol-free alternatives to some classic cocktails (plus a few tasty twists) for those looking to lower their alcohol intake this January and throughout 2022.  

From energising espresso martinis to curious carrot margaritas, these ready-to-go recipes will make your Dry January experience feel like a breeze and will even impress the younger members of your family intrigued by the premise of a mocktail! 

1. Raspberry Mock-jito

What could be more refreshing than a minty mojito topped with fresh, vibrant fruit? Try cutting out the traditional ingredient of rum in favour of alcohol-free alternatives for an even fresher feel this Dry January.

 Ingredients

·       Eight mint leaves

·       Three limes

·       One tablespoon of sugar

·       Splash of soda water

·       Handful of raspberries

·       Ice cubes or crushed ice

 You may want to shake up your fruit option, by switching raspberries to blueberries, strawberries or even pineapple - whichever you prefer is equally tasty.

 Method

·       Start by muddling six of your mint leaves with the sugar, using a pestle and mortar, or if you don’t have one, simply use the end of a rolling pin and a small bowl.

·       Then mix this with your raspberries and pour into a tall glass with your ice.

·       Juice two and a half of your limes and add the juice to your glass, top this off with your soda water and stir well.

·       Finish off by garnishing with your remaining mint leaves, the remaining lime, and any leftover raspberries. 

·       Don’t forget to add a non-plastic straw before serving!

 Pair This With

Mojitos originate from the Caribbean so think about those flavours when you are serving them up. If you are doing Veganuary alongside Dry January why not try some delicious vegan Caribbean alternatives such as chickpea curry with coconut rice, jerk-spiced tofu or perhaps even just nibbling on some plantain chips.

2.              ‘De-Alc’ Espresso Martini

 This classy cocktail is way simpler than it looks, and you won’t need a drop of vodka or Kahlua to achieve the same great coffee taste.

 Ingredients

·       Two shots of espresso coffee

·       25ml of vanilla syrup

·       25ml of water

·       Ice cubes

·       Two coffee beans

 Method

·       Put all of your wet ingredients and your ice cubes into a shaker, and shake well before straining into a coupe glass.

·       Garnish with your coffee beans and you are good to go.

 Pair This With

Nothing beats the taste of coffee with a fresh slice of cake, so apply the same laws with your espresso martini and treat yourself to a sweet dessert as your accompaniment. Why not give a vegan chocolate brownie or peanut butter blondie a go for the ultimate Saturday afternoon indulgence?

 3.              Carrot Margarita

For a refreshing cocktail that is both alcohol-free and healthy, why not try this unique spin on the classic margarita which is bursting with fresh flavours.

 Ingredients

·       200ml of carrot juice

·       100ml of apple juice

·       Splash of ginger beer

·       Ice cubes

·       One lime

Method

·       Salt the rim of your glass by damping it slightly before rolling it upside down in a small salt pile. You will want a glass that is roughly the same size as a can of cola to hold your drink.

·       Juice half a lime and this with your carrot and apple juice to a shaker before pouring into your glass over ice.

·       Top this off with ginger beer and stir with care.

·       Complete your garnish with a wedge of lime.

Pair This With

Since this drink is so refreshingly cleansing, consider pairing it with some spicy Mexican-inspired and vegan-friendly food such as nachos and tomato salsa, a three-bean quesadilla or a jackfruit taco.

 4.              Virgin Cosmopolitan

 This sophisticated cocktail stands out in a sea of summery drinks by serving up a wonderfully wintery vibe.

 Ingredients

·       75ml of cranberry juice

·       50ml of soda water or tonic water

·       Juice of half a lime

·       Splash of orange juice

·       Ice cubes

·       Sugar (optional)

·       Garnishing fruit (optional)

 Method

·       Place the cranberry juice, sparkling water and lime juice into a shaker with a good amount of ice and shake gently.

·       Strain the mixture into a coupe glass.

·       Top off with a splash of orange juice and stir in gently.

 You may want to coat the rim of your glass with sugar. Do this by gently wetting the rim before rolling in a small pile of sugar, before adding your drink.

 You can also choose to garnish this drink with any fruit you like, from a lime wedge to some raspberries, or possibly even a few more cranberries pierced alongside a cocktail stick, to continue the festive feels throughout the month of January. 

 Pair This With

Nothing goes with the sharp taste of cranberries quite like a classic cheese board. If you are doing Veganuary alongside Dry January, there is no better time to try out some vegan cheese alternatives such as tofu gouda or cashew brie - alongside a healthy serving of crackers, of course.

 5.              Soft-Pornstar Martini

With so many fruity flavours having a free-for-all, this modern and immensely popular take on the martini cocktail can go without vodka and still delivers a good-time vibe.

 Ingredients

·       25ml of passion fruit puree

·       50ml of pineapple juice

·       10ml of vanilla syrup

·       Juice of half a lime

·       Splash of lemonade

·       Half a passion fruit

·       Ice cubes

 Method

·       Pour all of your fruit juices and your vanilla syrup into a shaker with ice and shake vigorously.

·       Strain the mixture into a coupe glass. Removing the ice will leave you with a smooth drink.

·       Top off with a splash of lemonade and garnish with your passion fruit half.

 Pair This With

Since this is the ultimate party cocktail, you may want to enjoy it with a group of friends and some sharing nibbles, such as pitted olives, a vegan cheese board or if you haven’t already had your fruity fill - a juicy fruit platter.

https://bottomlessbrunch.com/