Taking the pledge? Delicious no-alcohol booze alternatives for Dry January

Dry January. That month-long commitment to sobriety, a chance to reset, detox and perhaps even save a few pennies. However, for many, the thought of navigating social gatherings and evenings at home without the familiar comfort of a drink can feel daunting.

Fear not, abstainers! A whole world of delicious, sophisticated and surprisingly satisfying no-alcohol alternatives awaits. Forget the sugary soft drinks; these options will elevate your Dry January experience.

For the wine lover

De-alcoholised wine: The technology has come a long way! Modern de-alcoholised wines retain much of the original flavour and aroma profile of their alcoholic counterparts. Look for brands that utilise gentle methods to remove the alcohol without sacrificing the taste. Experiment with different varietals to find your new favourite. Reds, whites, rosés – the options are endless.
Seedlip Grove 42 with sparkling grape juice: Elevate a simple sparkling grape juice with a few dashes of Seedlip Grove 42, a sophisticated non-alcoholic spirit. The citrus notes of the Seedlip pair beautifully with the sweetness of the grape juice, creating a refreshing and elegant apéritif.

For the beer enthusiast

Craft non-alcoholic beers: The market for craft non-alcoholic beers is booming! Many breweries are producing impressive alternatives that mimic the rich flavours and textures of their alcoholic counterparts. From hoppy IPAs to smooth stouts, you can find a non-alcoholic beer to suit every palate.
Kombucha: For a slightly more adventurous option, try a high-quality kombucha. Its effervescence and complex, subtly tangy flavours can be a satisfying replacement for beer, particularly if you choose a variety with fruit additions.

For the cocktail connoisseur

Seedlip or Lyre’s with your favourite mixers: Seedlip and Lyre’s are leading brands producing high-quality non-alcoholic spirits that can be used in a wide variety of cocktails. Experiment with different mixers – tonic water, soda water, juices – to create your own signature mocktails.
Virgin mojitos or margaritas: Classic cocktails can easily be adapted for a booze-free lifestyle. Just omit the alcohol and focus on the fresh ingredients! A muddled mint mojito or a vibrant margarita (using lime juice, agave nectar and a touch of salt) can be both refreshing and satisfying.

Beyond the bottle

Remember that Dry January isn’t just about replacing alcohol with another beverage; it’s about mindful enjoyment. Experiment with different flavour combinations, explore new ingredients and embrace the opportunity to savour the nuances of non-alcoholic options. Consider pairing your chosen drink with delicious food. Maybe even use the time to explore other aspects of your wellbeing, such as increased exercise or meditation.

This Dry January, don’t let the absence of alcohol diminish your enjoyment. With a little exploration, you’ll discover a world of delicious and sophisticated alternatives that will make your month-long commitment a rewarding and enjoyable experience. So, cheers (to the non-alcoholic kind)!

SPILL the tea

We’ve been giving a new everyday tea a try this week… and, as we both love a cuppa, it’s an exciting thing! We have a couple of favourite brands that we consider to be a good everyday tea… and now SPILL tea has definitely joined them. In fact, we’ll probably just switch completely, as it’s perfect on so many levels.

First things first, it’s a wonderful cup of tea. It’s a lovely golden colour, robust & flavoursome, whilst staying light & clean… a sparkle on the palate. It gets the magic sigh after the first sip, “…ooooh that’s a good cup of tea!”.

It’s a new venture for co-owners Lou & Sofia, although both have a long history and much experience in the tea world.

The combination of a great cuppa combined with treating the farmers with respect & gratitude has obviously been the driving force for their new company. They deal directly with the farmers who hand pick the crop, so only the best leaves are used… it’s not a blend of whatever tea was cheapest in the market or at auction. No need for middlemen or deals that drive prices and quality downwards.

You can actually see the difference as you take each spoon from the tin – none of that dusty, tired-looking mixture here.

SPILL pays $3 / kilo – 50% above Fairtrade. Plus, an additional farmer payment of 50¢ / kilo.

Add to that, we love the logo & branding – and the packaging, which is home recyclable. Perfect all round!

For you, a better cuppa. For the farmer, a better price.

So, our advice is to give it a go – you won’t regret it. We’ve been drinking it all week and still appreciate that extra quality and improved experience that it’s brought. As Lou & Sofia say, it’s all about upgrading the products that you have on a regular basis whenever possible – whether it be coffee, bread, beer or tea. Little things that make moments in life so much more enjoyable!

They have loose-leaf or tea bags – and very nice storage tins if you need one of those too.

Enjoy… and try not to spill it!

Price Points: Reusable coffee cups

The proliferation of plastic waste has been in the news a lot recently. The ever-expanding Great Pacific garbage patch is really alarming. At last, more is being done nationally and by the government to curb the use of plastic products. It began with the halt to giving away free plastic bags at the supermarket checkout. Recently, Iceland has been the first major supermarket to pledge to not use plastic on their own brand goods. Lets hope all the others soon follow suit.

Earlier this year, a call for a 25p ‘latté levy’ on disposable cups hit the headlines. Some coffee shops have long been offering a discount to customers who bring their own reusable coffee cups. Currently, very few people take up the offer. The hope is that the tax will increase that number in the same way as the charge on plastic bags.

Here are three of our favourite reusable coffee cups – much more attractive and easier to handle than the flimsy, throwaway ones passed over the counter by the barista.

We can all do our little bit to lessen the impact of plastic on the environment. Take reusable bags when we go shopping, buy loose goods where possible, recycle household waste

Waitrose blue floral scatter coffee cup: £2, Waitrose
Ecoffee cup William Morris Cornockle (400ml): £8.99, Planet Organic
Bodum vacuum travel mug with cork band, 350ml: £20, John Lewis

Price Points: Grown-up Advent calendars

There aren’t any children in our household, however that doesn’t stop us getting excited about Christmas. Christmas proper for us generally begins on Advent – this year, the 3rd of December. On that day, the tree gets erected, decorations go up and, if we’ve managed a bit of forward planning, the first door of the Advent calendar gets opened.

There’s a growing number of grown-up Advent calendars on the market – and there’s something for everyone – glamour pusses, real ale drinkers, coffee connoisseurs as well as the sweet-toothed. Here are three of our favourites…

Christmas coffee advent by Perkulatte: £40, Notonthehighstreet
Beer advent calendar: £74.99, The Pip Stop
24-day beauty advent calendar: £120.00, Selfridges

H is for Home Harbinger

Tag: beverages