“Kickstart Your Dry January: Unforgettable Festivals to Keep You on Track!”

If you’re seeking inspiration to remain committed to your Dry January pledge, you might want to explore alcohol-free events occurring throughout the country.

A Mindful Drinking Fest is returning to Washington, D.C., this weekend. There’s Mocktails & Mingle in Chicago, a Dry Vibes festival in Kansas City, and a Mocktail Fest in Miami, to mention just a few.

These events offer tastings, music, dance parties, as well as competitions and speakers, all geared towards demonstrating that enjoyment can thrive at events that do not center around alcohol.

“It’s turning into a cultural moment,” states noted mixologist Derek Brown who initiated the Mindful Drinking festival and has aided in the acceptance of alcohol-free choices. The festival has transformed into a three-day occasion and participation has surged tenfold compared to a few years back.

The rise in sober curiosity aligns with Derek Brown’s personal narrative. A decade ago, he was serving drinks as the proprietor of the Columbia Room, one of the most revered cocktail lounges in the U.S.

However, in his late 30s, when he paused to evaluate the part alcohol played in his life, he recognized it was an issue.

“My health was poor, my finances were lacking, my relationships were under strain. And while alcohol wasn’t the primary reason for that, it certainly wasn’t beneficial,” says Brown.

He was encouraged to cease drinking temporarily and alter his relationship with alcohol. As he forged a new path, he discovered that many others were similar to him, and he perceived a business opportunity.

Brown mentions that numerous individuals seek methods to socialize and connect without alcohol.

“It’s genuinely enjoyable to welcome new experiences, and that’s what we represent,” he asserts, and not just in January, but all year round.

His intuition was correct. Sales of non-alcoholic adult beverages are anticipated to reach $4 billion in the next two years. Offerings include NA craft brews from trailblazers like Athletic Brewing, Partake Brewing, and Surreal Brewing Company.

The Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association, a trade group, which is now a co-owner of the Mindful Drinking Fest, cites a “sweeping” moderation trend enhancing demand. As more individuals contemplate reducing their alcohol intake, the interest in more refined NA options is on the rise.

How does a pomegranate cocktail infused with extracts from the blooming Rhodiola plant sound? Or a zesty pineapple margarita blended with pieces of damiana, a shrub celebrated for its petite, fragrant flowers. These alcohol-free craft cocktails crafted by Curious Elixirs, incorporate herbs, spices, roots, and botanicals. The company asserts that its creations have been featured at premier restaurants including Michelin-starred Daniel in New York City and the renowned French Laundry in Napa Valley.

Other vendors offering tastings at festivals this month include Fleure, another producer of non-alcoholic distilled spirits. One of its botanical blends is promoted as a gin alternative, made with coriander seed and lime peel combined with lavender and Juniper. There’s also Little Saints, initiated as a passion endeavor by a woman aiming to recreate classic cocktails using spirits derived from mushroom ingredients.

“What we aspire to see is individuals visiting bars, dining out, attending parties, and spending time together, just not placing alcohol at the core of it,” Brown explains.

However, challenging entrenched social standards isn’t straightforward. From weddings to funerals and many social events in between, alcohol is ingrained in social experiences. Over two-thirds of adults in the U.S. report consuming at least one beverage per week or more, but there’s a growing recognition of the health advantages of moderating intake.

Just last week, the surgeon general cautioned about cancer risks associated with alcohol. Dr. Mike Sevilla, a family physician in Ohio, states that it can be challenging to discuss cutting back with patients if the conversation solely revolves around what they must sacrifice. Instead, he prefers to emphasize enjoyable alternatives to drinking. Over time, he’s observed people substituting drinking with various new activities.

“They’ve initiated a book club, or they’ve taken up knitting, or they’re painting, or engaging in a sporting activity like bowling,” notes Sevilla.

Creating additional social opportunities through new pursuits — or revisiting an old hobby — can truly make a difference.

“I’ve found that my patients have had increased success trying to reduce their alcohol consumption or even eliminate it entirely,” Sevilla states.

He highlights a straightforward tool to evaluate drinking patterns. It’s a self-assessment questionnaire called the CAGE questionnaire. It poses four inquiries: Have you ever felt you ought to lessen your alcohol consumption? Have people annoyed you by questioning your drinking? Have you ever experienced guilt or remorse regarding your drinking? Have you ever consumed a drink first thing in the morning to alleviate a hangover? If you respond affirmatively to any of these inquiries, Sevilla indicates it’s a signal you might want to further explore your connection with alcohol.

Dry January can act as a stepping stone to more enduring changes, asserts Dr. Jamie Koprivnikar, an oncologist at Hackensack Meridian Health who advises numerous patients to lessen or abstain from alcohol. “It can shift our perspectives,” she explicates.

A one-month hiatus is unlikely to enhance your health if you revert to unhealthy drinking patterns for the remainder of the year, she asserts.

“But I believe that month can truly help illuminate the impact that drinking has on our lives.”

Article modified by Jane Greenhalgh