2025 has arrived! With the new year starting, many people participate in Dry January. According to a Civic Science study, a quarter of adults aged 21+ participated last year. Whether people want to drink less or are sober curious, there is no doubt that the non-alcoholic beverage market has exploded over the past couple of years. We've rounded up some of these alcohol-free alternatives to help you determine which beverage might be right for you!
These alcohol-free drinks are perfect for Dry January!
Free AF
On the company’s website, founder Lisa King recounts the story behind her brand. When experimenting with an alcohol-free lifestyle she noted she received a lot of pushback. “I was thinking I’m making a really good choice here, but I was made to feel really socially awkward. That’s where the idea for AF came from – not just a product, but a world where it’s ok to make your own decisions and to do that with confidence.” Her brand’s mission is to normalize not drinking.
Free AF are canned non-alcoholic cocktails available in seven varieties: Paloma, Apero Spritz, Cucumber G&T, VØD%A Spritz, Cuba Libre, Sparkling Rosé and Whisk#y Ginger. Depending on the flavor, the beverages have between 10-50 calories and 0-12 grams of sugar. Each can is 8.4 fluid ounces.
What sets Free AF apart from other brands is their secret ingredient Afterglow. This ingredient gives drinkers the warm feeling that drinking alcohol usually evokes. These are canned bubbly beverages that taste similar to cocktails, without the alcohol.
Mingle Mocktails
Mingle Mocktails was launched in 2017 by Laura Taylor. Similar to other non-alcoholic beverage brands, Taylor founded the company when she stopped drinking alcohol and was disappointed with the alcohol-free beverage options available. Mingle Mocktails received lots of buzz in July 2023 when Bethenny Frankel joined the company as an investor and strategic partner.
The sparkling mocktails can be enjoyed straight from the can or used as a mixer with alcohol. They come in seven flavors that include Blackberry Hibiscus Bellini, Blood Orange Elderflower Mimosa, Cranberry Cosmo, Cucumber Melon Mojito, Key Lime Margarita, and Sparkling Raspberry Rosé. The company also just debuted its newest flavor, Pineapple Paloma.
The 12 fluid ounce beverages come in bright pastel-colored cans. They also have 25.4 fluid ounce bottles of the Cranberry Cosmo and the Blackberry Hibiscus Bellini flavors. These are low-calorie beverages with only 20 calories per 4 oz. serving.
Cheeky Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Rosé
Wine lovers don't have to miss out during Dry January. Whether hosting a wine and cheese pairing or enjoying a girl's night, having a non-alcoholic option is a plus.
is an alcohol-free wine alternative. The beverage is a sparkling rosé with zero percent alcohol from Spain with tasting notes of raspberry, strawberry, and peach rings.
It's a light, semi-sweet wine that pairs well with fruits, salads and sushi. The bottle is available on the wine subscription site Winc for $23 ($18.40 for Winc subscribers). Although I have not yet tried non-alcoholic wine, Cheeky seems like a worthwhile choice.
CANN
CANN was founded in 2019 by Jake Bullock and Luke Anderson. While the pair were no longer drinking alcohol, they still wanted to have a good time. They created a beverage combining a microdose of high-quality THC and CBD distillate with just a few other ingredients: sparkling water, fresh juice, all-natural herbal flavor, and 100% organic Mexican agave to be exact.
CANN comes in four flavors, including Ginger Lemongrass, Blood Orange Cardamom, Lemon Lavender, and Grapefruit Rosemary. There are three different dose amounts. The eight-fluid ounce CANN has 2 mg of THC and 4 mg CBD. The 12 fluid-ounce cans come in a Hi Boy (5 mg THC, 10 mg CBD) and a Lo Boy (1 mg of THC, 15 mg CBD). They also have on-the-go Roadies, liquid packets that can be mixed into any drink.
According to the company's website, it can take about 10-15 minutes to feel the effects of the beverage, which can then last about 45 minutes to an hour. If you are living a sober lifestyle, CANN will not be an appropriate beverage. However, if you are only refraining from alcohol, then this may be a fun alternative drink to try.