Dry January is not a new concept, but it is one that has garnered a lot of attention lately.
In 2011, Emily Robinson, an employee at Alcohol Change in the UK, quit drinking alcohol in preparation for her first half marathon. After one month of going without alcohol, she noticed an increase in energy, weight loss, and better sleep. This led her to start Dry January. By 2013, it had launched as a campaign of sorts and began to spread to other countries.
Abstaining from alcohol may not be your idea of ringing in the new year, but studies have shown that there are many health benefits that may entice you to try it. According to Forbes Health, dry January can bring more sleep, a clearer complexion, improved blood pressure, liver recovery, weight loss, a strengthened immune system, and time to re-evaluate your relationship with alcohol. If any of these benefits sound good to you, you may want to give up alcohol for 30 days (or more) and see what it does for you.
Embrace mocktails and other non-alcoholic beverages during Dry January.
Thankfully, Charleston is fully aware of the Dry January trend, and many places are embracing it by offering non-alcoholic options and promoting wellness efforts.
Hotel Bennett (404 King Street) has a “non-spirited menu” offering various sorts of mocktails in two of their on-site dining options, Camellias and Gabrielle. Non-spirited cocktails such as Apple of My Eye, Time after Thyme, and the Berry Merry all sound delicious.
The Watch Rooftop Kitchen and Spirits, located on top of the Restoration Hotel at 79 Wentworth St., is offering several zero proof drinks such as the Slowburn Marg, Lower Manhattan, and Spiritzless.
Sweatman’s Garden, 90 Folly Road Blvd., Charleston’s first “Sodary," has many non-alcoholic soda options such as Lime Cream Soda, Root Beer and Apple Citrus. They also have various originals such as a Ginger Beer, Ginger Mule, Tonic, Habanero Fresco, and a natural cola. Pairing these drinks with fondue and various snacks should help make this a fun night out.
The Gin Joint (182 East Bay Street) has several non-alcoholic beverages on the menu, such as The European Outlaw, New Beginnings and the Unknown Coast. So even if your friends are going out for drinks, you won't feel left out.
The Healthy Buzz is a refreshing mocktail made at Wild Dunes Resort with honey from their own honeybee hives.
At Wild Dunes Resort on the Isle of Palms, they're serving up a mocktail dubbed the Healthy Buzz. This refreshing and energizing elixir showcases golden nectar honey locally sourced from the resort's own honeybee hives. The recipe? Mix 2 oz Honey Citrus Mix (made with 2 oz Honey Syrup, which is honey diluted 1:1 with filtered water; 1.25 oz Lime Juice; 1.25 oz Lemon Juice; and 1 small pinch of Korean Chili Flakes) and add a splash of soda water. Stir to combine, seal and refrigerate, and garnish with an expressed lemon peel and a basil flower.
The Luxe Wine Bar (1430 Central Avenue in Summerville) has copied their entire cocktail menu into mocktails so that everyone can enjoy dry January with friends.
If you want to purchase your own mocktails from a local merchant, Emily Heintz, the founder of Sechey, has her own bottle shop located at 540 King Street. Here you can purchase non-alcoholic beers, and other alternative spirits.
Since Emily Robinson was preparing for a half marathon, I am sure she was not only abstaining from alcohol, but also getting some daily exercise. The Ryder Hotel, 237 Meeting St., is offering a Wonder, Wander, Wellness package through March 31 where you can save up to 17% on your stay using the promo code BEWELL. The hotel provides a yoga mat in your room, a discounted mocktail at their Little Palm Bar, and discounts on rentals of bicycles and paddleboards from the Gear Garage to keep you active! This offer also includes a daily class, such as yoga, barre or boxing with a local fitness partner.
Emeline is partnering with The Bomb Co. as part of the hotel's Leap Into the New Year wellness package.
Emeline, a boutique hotel located at 181 Church St., is teaming up with The Bomb Co. for its Leap into the New Year package, which includes 24-hour gym access, $100 dining credit at Clerk’s Coffee or Frannie and the Fox, a custom smoothie bar in your room with The Bomb Co. products, all in the two-story Loft Suite. They also offer free bike rentals, and wellness passports, where you can visit local fitness studios.
Speaking of The Bomb Co., there is a brand new Bomb Bar serving smoothies, coffees and healthy treats at 466 Savannah Highway, Unit B, in West Ashley. You can work out next door at HYLO Fitness and then grab a refreshing, healthy smoothie for the ride home.
These are just a few of the many local places here to support you during your Dry January challenge. And who knows? Maybe with all the health benefits you discover this month, this may turn into more of a lifestyle for you. Don’t knock the mocktails until you try them!
