Dry January is always a thing, a thing we hate. BRING ON THE BOOZE! But, here at Skinny Mixes, the team is participating (for now). This task can be very difficult especially when your office has a full bar and all the cocktail mixes (and cocktail skills!) in the world. The truth is this can be tough for everyone so here are 5 mocktail recipes that are getting us by in January!

1. Sober Mermaid

Formally known as the Drunken Mermaid, she'll be back with all the alcohol on February 1st.

All you need for this non-alcoholic drink is:

• Club Soda Water
• Sugar Free Mermaid Syrup
• Fresh Lemon or Lime (optional)

In a glass, add ice and club soda water, start off with a tablespoon of Sugar Free Mermaid Syrup and build up the taste as desired. Top with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice and enjoy with a paper or metal straw-check it out, we love turtles!

2. Not So Spiked Raspberry Lemonade

It's lemonade... only boring because there is no alcohol. BUT it is sugar FREE :D

All you need for this non-alcoholic drink is:

• Still Water
• Sugar Free Meyer Lemon Raspberry Syrup
• Fresh Lemon & Raspberries (optional)

In a glass, add ice and water, start off with a tablespoon of Sugar Free Meyer Lemon Raspberry Syrup and build up the taste as desired. Top with a squeeze of lemon juice and add fresh raspberries if desired.

3. Strawberry Rose Water

The millennial drink of our dreams!

All you need for this non-alcoholic drink is:

• Still or Sparkling Water
• Sugar Free Strawberry Rose Syrup
• Rose petals (if you're extra like us)

In a glass, add fresh ice and water, start off with a tablespoon of Sugar Free Strawberry Rose Syrup and build up the taste as desired. Sprinkle a few rose petals, or don't. It's a new year, you do YOU.

4. Raspberry Spritzer

All these mock cocktail recipes are basically the same but look at the pretty pictures!

All you need for this non-alcoholic drink is:

• Sparkling Water
• Sugar Free Raspberry Syrup
• Fresh Lemon, Lime & Raspberries (optional)

In a glass, add ice and water, start off with a tablespoon of Sugar Free Raspberry Syrup and build up the taste as desired. Top with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice and add fresh Raspberries if desired.

5. Buzzwords But No Buzz Lemon Elderflower Craft Mocktail

This is one of those drinks you see on a menu and you go "ohhh elderflower" when in fact you have no idea what an Elderflower is.

All you need for this non-alcoholic drink is:

• Sparkling Water
• Sugar Free Lemon Elderflower Syrup
• Fresh Lemon & some sort of Greenery (for looks)

Make this alcohol free drink in a mason jar because all the drinks with strangely named flowers come in mason jars, add ice and water, start off with a tablespoon of Sugar Free Lemon Elderflower Syrup and build up the taste as desired. Add whatever tree branches or fruit you can find in your house to make this Instagram worthy and viola! 

Using January Mocktails for an Alcohol-Free Month

A mocktail is a perfect solution if you're sober-curious, completing a Dry January challenge, or simply wanting to start the New Year with a healthy-living detox! Our mocktail mixes pack punchy flavors that mimic the texture and sweetness of your favorite fruity cocktail or delicious spritzer but without sacrificing taste, enjoyment, or a little fizzy mood boost.

One of the toughest parts (especially for us social butterflies) is the need to explain what you're up to and why you'd dream of turning down a velvety smooth nightcap. Swapping cocktails for low-sugar mocktails allows you to join in the fun with an imitation recipe that is just as delicious. With your cocktail shaker and mixing glasses, you can mix up delicious drinks for you and your friends. Add the ice and garnish and people will be shocked to learn your drinks are alcohol free.

Eliminating FOMO With Tasty Mocktail Recipes

The secret to brilliant dry drinks is finding healthy drink recipes that don't feel like a chore. Our mocktails combine high-quality ingredients within each incredible recipe, inspired by our preferred alcoholic drinks but with zero alcohol (or calories and sugar).

A mocktail shouldn't look or feel like a soda or juice–it's a sophisticated beverage with an elegant garnish that makes the post-festive season something enjoyable. 

Mocktail mixes are a go-to with easy-to-follow recipe ideas, allowing you to swap the red wine for a raspberry spritzer or replace white wine with a mellow strawberry rosewater and make the most of your downtime without those pesky alcohol putting a strain on your diet while still tasting delicious. 

The Health Perks of Switching to Non-Alcoholic Drinks Mocktails

We all know that a mocktail is better for our long-term health, but if you're struggling to commit to a month without your evening glass of wine or any alcohol, it's worth having a quick recap of the positives:

First, many recipes using Skinny Syrups are 0 sugar, 0 calorie and 0 carbs! Options like our Meyer Lemon Raspberry Syrup recipe have no added sugar, so if your goal is more about watching your waistline or cutting back on sugar, it's a win-win and everyone can enjoy non-alcoholic drinks.

Secondly, cutting back on alcoholic drinks–even if it's only for the thirty-one days of January–can do wonders for your sleep, mood, energy, and mental health. Use plenty of spring water, lemon, and lime, and your beverage can help detox your system, reset your mind, and make you feel on top of the world. Alcohol free drinks can eliminate the strain on your health all while providing delicious options to serve your guests.

How to Make a Mocktail Drink Recipe Taste Like the Real Thing

Plenty of people try alcohol-free spirits, but we find that many fake alcohol drinks taste dull or are jammed full of sugar and other synthetics to try (and fail) to taste right. A simple syrup is a fantastic alternative, with a luxurious scent and taste, which you can mix and match with your choice of toppings, mineral waters, juice, or garnish.

Interested in some insider tips? Regular cocktails have a strong underlying alcohol flavor that you can make perfectly with some know-how and directions. Natural ingredients like ginger, lemon, and mint trick your palate into feeling like you'd indulged without the fuzzy head in the morning–experiment with your own personal recipes and combinations of flavors, and see what concoctions you can create!

For more information, check out this link to our guide on What is a Mocktail?