Dry January Offers New Choices For RTD Cocktail Lovers

As we embark on another journey around the sun, more and more consumers are becoming aware of a growing trend which enters our own orbit each year at this time: Dry January. Alcohol moderation and abstinence from alcohol altogether has been gaining traction of late. And if you don't believe us, look no further than the explosion of new non-alcoholic beer, wine, spirits, and NA ready-to-drink cocktail brands starting to show up on shelves in supermarkets and other beverage retailers. So whether you're completely sober, sober curious, or just looking to cut back on your alcohol consumption a bit making it a "Damp January," there is sure to be something for you and, basically, something for everyone.

Non-Alcoholic RTD Cocktails & Dry January

While NA cocktail, beer, and wine options have been available for quite some time, innovation was generally lacking until Dry January started to gain in popularity. Since then, remarkable alcohol-free spirits, wines, and a number of various other NA beverages have been introduced. And, as one would imagine, the incredible popularity of pre-made canned cocktails has resulted in a massive surge of new non-alcoholic ready-to-drink cocktail brands and products regionally and nationwide. Detractors will say that NA canned cocktails are just a soda or that you may as well be drinking LaCroix or Bubly sparkling water. And there may be some validity to those opinions in general. But generally speaking, many consumers are simply not looking to substitute for booze with bland and boring. They are more frequently starting to seek out premium, full-bodied (and familiar) cocktail flavors to enjoy in a social setting — but without the alcohol. And while these drinkers desire to be on a healthier path, they don't want to stand in the corner sipping on a can of Diet Coke or bottled water. They want to be engaged and they want to hold something in their hand that speaks to them and speaks to the occasion. Whether that be the liquid inside of a bottle or the branding on the outside of a can, they no longer want ordinary choices. They're looking for something extraordinary. And for our fellow RTD lovers, we're pleased to present the following four extraordinary non-alcoholic ready-to-drink cocktail options which we've sampled and think you'll enjoy.

Blind Tiger Spirit-Free Cocktails

The Blind Tiger Spirit Free Cocktails story is rooted in the spirit of the Prohibition era, where people gathered at speakeasies to enjoy drinks that were otherwise banned. Rebecca Styn, founder of Erie, PA's Room 33 Speakeasy, brought her passion for this time to life by creating a sophisticated cocktail experience that captures the defining flavors of the era, with or without the alcohol.

Blind Tiger offers a variety of ready-to-drink classic cocktail flavors — that can be enjoyed alcohol free as-is or used as a mixer by adding a traditional spirit — including Bee's Knees, Lavender French 75, Sidecar, Southside, and Ward 8.

Parch Non-Alcoholic Agave Spirit Cocktails

In developing Parch Spirits Co., the brand studied ancient beverages, rituals, and botanical infusions across Mexico and the Southwestern US, drawing inspiration from traditional plant-based beverages enjoyed as alternatives to alcohol. These distinctive adult beverages are inspired by the Sonoran Desert and the lush biodiversity it keeps. Each sip offers complex flavors from unique pairings of desert ingredients, based on the ethos that “what grows together, goes together."

Parch's Non-Alcoholic Agave Spirit cocktails are currently available in two bold and Southwest-inspired flavors: Prickly Paloma — a citrus and bittersweet cocktail that showcases the lively pairing of Organic Blue Weber Agave and Prickly Pear Cactus Fruit, and a Spiced Piñarita — a spicy combination of Pineapple, Organic Blue Weber Agave, and smoky Cayenne pepper.

Grüvi Non-Alcoholic Wine 

Grüvi Craft Non-Alcoholic Beer & Wine strives to create an inclusive community focused on making better choices and where one doesn't always feel inclined to drink in a social setting. A world where everyone can feel comfortable, regardless of what’s in their cup. A community of people who no longer believe they need to choose between their wellbeing and their social life.

 

Offering a stable full of NA beer choices and multiple alcohol removed wine varieties, one product that stood out to us at RTD Magazine was the Grüvi ready-to-drink canned sangria. A sparkling and non-alcoholic version of the popular red wine cocktail that is sure to satisfy.

KUL MOCKS Craft Mocktails

Wisconsin-based brand, KUL MOCKS Craft Mocktails, was born from the vision of husband and wife team, Nate and Danielle Goss, who were overjoyed when they found out they were expecting their first child. As a couple who took pleasure in socializing over cocktails, they began seeking non-alcoholic options for Danielle. In the process, they quickly realized that booze-free cocktails and ready-to-drink mocktails were hard to find or non-existent in stores, bars, and restaurants.

Not only did KUL MOCKS address the need for RTD mocktails, they did so with a broad lineup of six different full-bodied flavors — a Strawberry Mock-arita, the Mock Mule, a Blackberry Mock-jito, the Classic Mock-arita, a Mock G&T, and their Peach Hibiscus Cider — that are also low in sugar and calories thanks to the use of Stevia leaf sweetener.

Above is just a small sampling of the growing number of non-alcoholic RTD cocktails that are available in today's burgeoning NA beverage market. As consumers continue to change their relationship with alcohol in pursuit of moderation and healthier lifestyles, demand will only increase meaning future Dry January participants — and non-drinkers alike — will have even more selection from which to choose.