Zero-Proof Philly

Your Local guide to mocktails and other NA indulgences for Dry January. 

Let’s face it: January can be kind of a bummer. It’s cold, vacations are over, and most of us are facing a long slog at work before our next day off. Then again, if you’ve spent the holidays like I have—overeating, overdrinking, and overspending—you might be feeling ready to add a little structure back to your life.

Maybe it’s time to finally start cutting carbs, hitting the gym, or saving a slice of that paycheck? Sometimes what’s good for you can actually feel good. Like eating your broccoli. Or breathing in some of that cold January air. In some cases, a little discipline can even be transformative. Or at least that’s the rationale behind Dry January, a month-long initiative to practice sobriety.

According to Alcohol Change UK, the non-profit that launched the first Dry January campaign in 2013, participants in the challenge reported increased energy, improved sleep, and better looking skin. Turns out those self-reports weren’t just some kind of placebo effect—medical studies found that Dry January participants lowered their blood pressure, cholesterol, and risk for certain cancers. The effects of giving up drinking for one month can also be long-lasting: 70% percent of folks who successfully complete the challenge report drinking less six months after it’s over.

If this sounds like something you’d like to try, we’re here to help. One of the best strategies for surviving a month without booze is to find a solid non-alcoholic alternative to your favorite drink. Fortunately, the market for non-alcoholic beverages is booming, and there are plenty of Philly-based businesses getting in on the action—meaning you can cut back your alcohol intake and shop local while you’re at it! See below for a listing of some of our favorite mocktails, NA brews, and dealcoholized wines made or sold right here in Philadelphia:

Mingle Mocktails

If it’s a cocktail you’re craving, consider snagging a six-pack of Mingle Mocktails. Produced in nearby Wayne, these low-calorie drinks are made with all natural ingredients and come in an array of festive flavors including Cranberry Cosmo, Key Lime Margarita, and Blackberry Hibiscus Bellini. The mocktails taste delicious on their own, but they also combine well with vodka and other spirits—making them a solid option for drinkers and non-drinkers alike.

Order cans or bottles directly from their online shop or purchase them from a variety of Philly-based bars and bottle shops including Bad Brother, Whole Foods, and Franklin Beverage. Follow @minglemocktails for locations and fun serving suggestions. (ED NOTE: last time we checked, Nouvaux Market in East Falls has a nice selection.)

The NA Wine Selection at Mercantile 1888

Say goodbye to sparkling grape juice. Thanks to recent advances in wine-making technology, there are (finally) some high-quality NA wines popping up on the market. If it’s white wine you’re after, Stephanie Kinney, owner of Collingswood, NJ-based zero-proof bar and bottleshop Mercantile 1888, recommends Lietz’s Riesling and Blanc de Blancs. The German-based winery uses a process called dealcoholization, which involves removing alcohol after the grapes have been pressed, fermented, and aged. The result is a complex and flavor-rich wine that rivals its alcoholic peers.

For red wine drinkers, Kinney recommends Lautus Savvy Red, a sophisticated blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinotage produced in South Africa, that also utilizes dealcoholization techniques to render a wine with layers of flavor and aroma. Bottles can be ordered directly from Mercantile 1888’s website or purchased at their store (765 Haddon Ave, Collingswood, NJ).

Funky Fresh Kombucha

Fermented right here in Philadelphia, Funky Fresh Kombucha fuses organic teas and local ingredients to produce brews as vibrant and flavor-packed as an IPA. Be warned: these drinks don’t mimic the taste of beer—but they might satisfy your craving for a bold, full-bodied brew better than the flavor-shy NA beers in your grocery aisle.

Funky Fresh comes in a wide range of flavors, with eight year-round staples and a rotating cast of seasonal offerings. Fall/winter seasonals include: Rosemary Applesauce, Apricot Embers, and Cranberry Orange Sage. Bonus: the ‘booch is gluten-free and comes packaged in bright, cheeky labels—all designed by local Philly artists. For a full listing of bars and bottle shops selling Funky Fresh Kombucha, visit the company website.

The NA Beer Selection at Stone’s Beer and Beverage Market

 At Stone’s Beer and Beverage Market in Fairmount, you can give up (alcoholic) beer without giving up being a beer snob. The shop keeps 45 different NA brands in its rotation, offering customers far more variety than the average bottle shop or grocery store. That’s because store owner and operator Nick Wendowski recognizes that NA beers are more than just a trend.

“Some of the most beautiful and trendiest brands are making non-alcoholic beers now,” Wendowski explains. That includes big-name craft breweries such as Brooklyn Brewing and Collective Arts, and local PA favorite New Trail. Other top sellers at Stone’s include Bitburger’s 0.0% Pilsner, Best Day Brewing’s NA Kolsch, and Guinness 0, which customers describe as the closest flavor match to alcoholic beer.

To peruse the extensive NA beer offerings at Stones, drop by their store in Fairmount (1701 Fairmount Ave) or hop online to order a six-pack delivered straight to your door. Follow @StonesPhilly for the latest deals and recommendations.

Thoughts on Dry January? Are you observing this year? Share your tips and comments below, and please click the links for more information.