Dry January: Who Knew?

When I was asked about doing a Standard-Examiner story on Dry January, I was mystified. What is Dry January, I wondered? Something about Utah’s drought?

  For those unfamiliar with it, “Dry January” is a challenge to abstain from alcohol for the month, after the “eat, drink and be merry” excesses of the holidays. It’s sort of like that New Year’s resolution to lose 10 pounds or quit smoking. But you only have to do it for a month.

As someone who has never taken a drink of alcohol (at least knowingly) in my 66 years, it’s Dry January for me every month of the year. No wonder I didn’t know it was even a thing.

But, I sought some personal context from a Salt Lake City friend-of-a-friend who is participating.

“I don’t do it every year, but I’ve been out of the bar scene since the pandemic started. It felt like an easy way to start the year off in a healthy way,” she wrote to me in a Facebook chat. “I normally drink the rest of the year, but through January, regular seltzers have been my best friend. It also helps that I’m not going out or doing a lot of social activities this month. That take a lot of temptation out of the equation.”

Dry January formally began in 2013 as a public health initiative by a British charity called Alcohol Change UK, to “ditch the hangover, reduce the waistline and save some serious money by giving up alcohol for 31 days.”

Over the years, the idea has gained traction with millions of people. It’s a way to see what sobriety feels like, without getting overwhelmed about trying to give up alcohol forever. Then, you might want to extend your challenge a little longer. And considering that the month is nearly over, you can always try Dry February — a few days shorter!

On social media, there are at least 20 different Dry January Facebook groups with thousands of members. Beverage companies have taken note, as there’s now a fledgling Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association, with brands that make non-alcohol beer, wine, and other beverages.

WB’s Eatery in Ogden has jumped on the Dry January bandwagon in a big way, by stocking a huge variety of alcohol-free wines, whiskey, bourbon, gin, tequila, etc., that you can buy to drink at home. The restaurant, which as a full liquor license, can make any of its menu cocktails with or without alcohol.

WB’s owners Amy and Vivi Wanderley-Britt, who both stopped drinking alcohol over seven years ago, said it’s a matter of accepting other people’s choices.

“We believe that you should be able to participate in whatever anyone else is having, but without the alcohol,” said Amy Wanderley-Britt. “You are able to feel inclusive instead of feeling on the outside.”

She pointed to many different reasons that people choose not to drink — health concerns, losing weight, maybe avoiding a DUI on the drive home.

Here in Utah, there are many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and avoiding alcoholic drinks is part of its health code, the Word of Wisdom.

Some may wonder what the point is of drinking a wine or cocktail if there’s no buzz to it. And others may wonder why go to all the trouble to mimic drinks that contain alcohol, instead of just sticking with soft drinks or water.

But if you’re used to savoring a glass of wine or a specialty cocktail, these “dry” versions have more of an adult sophistication and depth of flavor that you won’t get from a club soda or a Coke Zero. But without the buzz.

One is the Acapulco Smoke, so-called because when you lift a lid from the top, a hint of smoke wafts into the air, leaving a wood-smoke aroma and flavor. It’s usually made with Mezcal, Aperol, raw sugar, and orange peel. The “dry” version is made with Ritual brand “zero-proof” (alcohol-free) whiskey, which still gives it a smoky flavor. (When I snapped the photo above, I tried to capture the waft of smoke, but I was too late…sorry.)

Vivi’s favorite sipper, Caipirinha, is usually made with lime and rum. WB’s no-alcohol version uses a no-alcohol rum alternative.

“I’m from Brazil, and Caipirinha is at every party,” said Vivi. “When I gave up alcohol, I was sad that I couldn’t drink it anymore. But now I can.”

WB’s showed me another cocktail, the Spicy Granddaddy Purple uses a no-alcohol gin along with Pom juice, lime juice, jalapeño simple syrup and muddled cucumbers.

Wb’s sells a lot of bottled products, and in looking online, many brands are offer online ordering.

If you’re also trying to diet, the good news is that many of these alcohol-free beverages are lower in calories. For instance, the Spiritless Kentucky 74 bourbon (whichi s actually distilled) has 15 calories per 2-ounce serving, or 90% fewer calories than regular bourbon.

  Noughty brand de-alcoholized white wine 21 calories per serving. According to Vivi, it tastes like Champagne. Apparently Martinelli’s sparkling cider doesn’t really compare.

  The wine goes through the whole fermentation process, and then the alcohol is removed, explained Vivi. “It’s an expensive process to remove the alcohol and keep the flavor profile.”

 So many of these drinks are priced similar to regular alcohol beverages. For instance, the Spiritless Kentucky 74 bourbon is $36.99 for a 750- ml bottle. Ritual brand rum is $26.99 for a 750-ml bottle.

With prices like that, I’m thinking a lot of people might consider them more for special occasions, not everyday sipping. Especially if your budget is slim after the holidays.

Indeed, my friend-of-a-friend participating in Dry January said she goes for LaCroix, flat water or coffee.

“Kinda boring,” she wrote. “But it’ll make my first beer in February way more enjoyable.”

 Note: WB’s Eatery is located at 455 25th Street at The Monarch. With the 25th Street construction in front of the building, your best bet is to enter from 26th Street, turn north onto Ogden Avenue, and park there on the west side of the building.

Contact: https://www.wbseatery.com or (385) 244-1471

Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 8 a.m. 8 p.m.