The new year coincides with the start of Dry January, a month-long challenge to abstain from alcohol. Even moderate drinkers can reap benefits, from better sleep to weight loss, improved liver function and increased energy.
But while Dry January is about eliminating (or at least reducing) alcohol intake, it shouldn’t necessitate forgoing tasty, adult-oriented beverages. Just ask Molly Flynn, who owns Bloomhaven Bottle Shop in Fairhaven which specializes in exclusively zero-proof drinks.
“I am emphatically not anti-alcohol; I’m just pro-options,” Flynn said. In her view, “Dry January is a fantastic opportunity for people to experiment with, or celebrate, or transition into non-alcoholic options.”
With this in mind, we’ve rounded up local retailers’ favorite N/A drinks, from booze-free spirits to adaptogenic, “functional” beverages. Flynn also provided recipes for a few of her favorite zero-proof cocktails.
Bloomhaven
Flynn has a longtime interest in beverages, but when she gave up alcohol eight years ago, she was disappointed by the lack of sophisticated alternatives. She’s since witnessed a tremendous shift: Ironically, non-alcoholic drinks are the fastest-growing sector of the alcohol market, according to The New York Times.
As most people venture into zero-proof alternatives, Flynn is passionate about disproving stereotypes around these drinks — namely, that they’re “just juice.” In reality, she said, the zero-proof market’s offerings go “so far beyond” everyday beverages like coffee or soda.
“There are some really phenomenal options for people that either replicate the flavors of alcohol or don’t replicate the flavors of alcohol,” Flynn said, “but in a really elevated way that still fits the occasion of a mixed drink or a beer or a wine.”
For customers who want to replicate the taste of alcohol, sans buzz, Flynn recommends the brands Free Spirits and NKD Distillery, both of which are available at Bloomhaven (1201 11th St., Suite 101). Free Spirits offers both pre-bottled mocktails and non-alcoholic versions of common liquors. NKD specializes in zero-proof whiskey, tequila and gin.
Flynn is also a fan of the brand Noughty Wine, which makes both still and sparkling dealcoholized wines. Far from “just grape juice,” dealcoholized wine goes through pressing, fermentation and aging. Alcohol is then boiled off in a process called vacuum distillation, where wines are heated under a vacuum at a low temperature.
Additionally, Flynn recommends Drømme Calm, a “functional beverage” and Bloomhaven’s overall best seller. The “ginger-y, maple-y” concoction isn’t “trying to taste like anything else” and is made with adaptogenic ingredients (herbs, mushrooms and other substances thought to reduce the effect of stress).
Other local options
Hela Provisions (2000 Franklin St., Suite 102) also sells a wide variety of N/A wines and spirits. Owner Anna Marie Adams said her favorites include hemp-based spirit The Pathfinder as well as Finest Roots Aperitivo Bianco, the latter of which can be enjoyed with sparkling water or on its own. Additionally, Adams’ “newest love” is Figlia, a floral, somewhat bitter “zero-proof ode to the spritz.”
Note that Hela Provisions is hosting a non-alcoholic cocktail class from 5–10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17. The class involves tasting as well as take-home recipes; tickets are $10, and more info can be found online at helaprovisions.com.
Bellingham bottle shop Elizabeth Station (1400 W. Holly St., Suite 101) also has a selection of N/A beer, and employee Uhane Johnson said the brand Sober Carpenter is a “fan favorite,” as is Athletic Brewing Co.
In addition to beer, Johnson recommends N/A wine brand Woody’s, which is available at Elizabeth Station as both a rosè and sparkling “blanc de blanc.” The bottle stop also stocks a hemp- and root-based N/A spirit from The Pathfinder, non-alcoholic cocktail mixes, and the ever-popular Phony Negroni.
Other retailers with non-alcoholic options include Haggen Food & Pharmacy, the Community Food Co-op and Whole Foods. As far as breweries go, most serve beer from N/A brands like Athletic. Aslan Brewing Co. makes non-alcoholic “hop water” with organic whole-cone hops. El Sueñito Brewing will sub non-alcoholic tequila in margaritas upon request.
Upscale spots like Galloway’s Cocktail Bar and Rock & Rye Oyster House in Bellingham and Revival Lounge in Mount Vernon have extensive non-alcoholic cocktail menus. The Back Door and L&L Libations are also popular spots for mocktails, as they can make just about any drink non-alcoholic upon request.
Recipes
Not sure how to utilize non-alcoholic spirits? Flynn shares cocktail recipes on her Instagram account @mollymakesdrinks, and shared a few of her favorites with Cascadia Daily News:
Calm on a Monday Night
- 2 ounces Drømme Calm
- 2 ounces Monday Non-Alcoholic Rum
- Optional: Garnish with some whipped cream and a dash of your favorite spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, freshly grated ginger, etc.)
“This non-alcoholic cocktail contains relaxing adaptogens such as ashwagandha and lion’s mane. It combines the rich flavors of N/A rum with ginger and maple in a decadent nightcap.
Either heat to desired temperature, or enjoy chilled. Then, simply pour into the glass of your choice and top with your favorite garnish.”
El Pecado Dulce
- 2.5 ounces Free Spirits Tequila (non-alcoholic reposado tequila)
- 1.5 ounces The Pathfinder Hemp & Root (non-alcoholic bittersweet aperitif)
- 5 dashes All The Bitter Cherry Coffee Blast bitters
- Garnish: black cocktail cherries, such as by Filthy
“Ever had an N/A cocktail that actually tastes like alcohol, but without the negative side effects? The slightly spicy Free Spirits Tequila replicates the burn of alcohol and brings agave and oak notes, while The Pathfinder offers a bittersweet botanical component. The Cherry Coffee Blast bitters by All The Bitter (a non-alcoholic bitters company) bring bright-yet-moody vibes — perfect for warming up amid a PNW winter.
To make it, combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker or mason jar with ice and shake briefly, just until cooled. Strain into a rocks glass over a big ice cube and garnish with cocktail cherries.”
Cocoa Laney is CDN’s lifestyle editor; reach her at cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 128.
