The Incredibly Delicious Non-Alcoholic Cocktails That Made Me (Almost) Want to Give Up Booze
Like many people, I’ve been exploring the sober-curious movement. After nonstop holiday parties last year, my body was in serious need of a break from booze, so I decided to do Dry January for the second time in my life. While I only made it 21 days in — I broke it for a good reason (not that you need one!) — I wouldn’t have made it that far thanks to a variety of non-alcoholic drinks I sipped on (almost) all month long.
I relied on Insta-famous Ghia, one of the first zero-alcoholic brands to gain popularity, sparkling water on repeat, and my new favorite: De Soi. The Katy Perry co-founded brand serves up adaptogenic sparkling wines that made me almost want to quit booze for good. Even though Dry Jan is in the past, I’m going to make these alternatives part of my routine going forward. Yes, I’m still going to drink my margaritas, gin and tonics, and espresso martinis, but for me, it’s all about balance.
De Soi serves up their drinks in both bottles and cans, so you can enjoy them however you prefer. I tried the canned cocktails, which will be perfect for future summertime picnics and outdoor hangs (spring, where are you?!). The 12-pack includes the brand’s three refreshing flavors: Golden Hour, Champignon Dreams, and Purple Lune. They’re all lightly carbonated, vegan, and gluten-free. I couldn’t put them down!
And, these bevvies have some surprising ingredients — and some just might help boost your mood, to boot. Golden Hour has a hint of Bay Leaf (it’s not just for soups!), which adds an earthy note to balance out the drink. This one was my favorite because of the pear juice concentrate — it’s also made with lemon balm and L-theanine, which can help promote relaxation and a feeling of calmness. Meanwhile, Purple Lune features rose, which adds a subtle flowery taste and is believed to help restore the heart chakra — and no, it doesn’t taste like you’re eating rose petals. I’m not a huge fan of cherry-flavored things, so Purple Lune wasn’t my thing, but maybe it is for you!
Whatever you sip on, there are a melody of botanicals that’ll delight your taste buds. Want to nerd out on them like me? You can read all about what’s inside these drinks in De Soi’s handy Botanical Glossary.
For me, I didn’t miss the alcohol itself so much, but rather the act of winding down with a crafty beverage that felt like a treat. And these tasty, gorgeous canned cocktails filled that void for me. I pulled out my prettiest glassware, cracked open the can, and had a moment of zen at the end of my day.
And at $70 for a pack of 12, they’re way cheaper than buying a drink at the bar. Aside from the health benefits of doing a booze-free January, it also did some good for my wallet. What’s not to love?
While I’m excited to hit up some happy hours again this month, I’ll still keep a stash of these better-for-you apéritifs stocked in my kitchen for when I want a fancy-feeling drink without the hangover and grogginess the next day.