Dry January has become a fixture in the bar world. Guests want alcohol-free options that give up neither the flavour nor the experience — which makes January the ideal moment to build a menu that genuinely surprises people, using quality alcohol-free spirits: 0.0% whisky, amaretto, rum, gin and bitter.
Ten recipes below, with exact measures and the detail that makes each one work.
1. Alcohol-free rum cocktails
Alcohol-Free Mojito
- 5cl Sober Spirits Rum 0.0%
- 1.5cl agave syrup
- 1.5cl lime juice
- 8 feuilles de menthe fraîche
- 5cl sparkling water
- Fresh mint sprig to garnish
Note: clap the mint between your hands before it goes in the glass — it releases far more aroma than muddling. And don't drown the Mojito in sparkling water; a splash is enough for the lift.
Sober Spirits Alcohol-Free Rum
Alcohol-Free Planter's Punch
- 5cl Sober Spirits Rum 0.0%
- 1.5cl vanilla syrup
- 1.5cl lime juice
- 4cl mango juice
- 4cl pineapple juice
- 2cl passion fruit juice
- Fresh mint sprig and a dusting of cinnamon to garnish
Note: to speed up service, use a ready-made planter's juice blend — 10cl in place of the three juices.
Sober Spirits Alcohol-Free Rum
2. Alcohol-free gin cocktails
Alcohol-Free Gin & Tonic
- 5cl Sober Spirits Gin 0.0%
- 10cl tonic water
- Cucumber and fresh basil, or a lemon wheel
Variations: swap in rosemary or thyme for a different profile. Changing the tonic changes the drink almost as much as changing the garnish — worth playing with.
Sober Spirits Alcohol-Free Gin
Alcohol-Free Gin Basil Smash
- 5cl Sober Spirits Gin 0.0%
- 1.5cl agave syrup
- 1.5cl lime juice
- 8 fresh basil leaves
Variation: shake it hard — that's what gives the drink its green.
Sober Spirits Alcohol-Free Gin
3. Alcohol-free whisky cocktails
Alcohol-Free Whisky Sour
- 5cl Sober Spirits Whisky Bourbon 0.0%
- 1.5cl agave syrup
- 1.5cl lemon juice
Variation: take it further with cinnamon or an orange zest.
Sober Spirits Alcohol-Free Whisky
Alcohol-Free Old Fashioned
- 5cl Sober Spirits Whisky Bourbon 0.0%
- 1cl agave syrup
- 3cl sparkling water
- Orange zest
Variation: build it with alcohol-free rum instead of the bourbon for a different — and equally convincing — drink.
Sober Spirits Alcohol-Free Whisky
4. Alcohol-free amaretto cocktails
Alcohol-Free Amaretto Sour
- 5cl Sober Spirits Amaretto 0.0%
- 1cl agave syrup
- 1.5cl lemon juice
- 1 egg white (or 1cl aquafaba)
Note: dry-shake first. Aquafaba (chickpea water) or egg white is what builds the silky foam on top.
Sober Spirits Alcohol-Free Amaretto
Alcohol-Free Italian Mule
- 5cl Sober Spirits Amaretto 0.0%
- 10cl ginger beer
- 1cl lime juice (or a fresh lime wedge on the rim)
Note: you don't have to squeeze the lime. Leaving the wedge on the rim lets each guest decide how sharp they want it.
Sober Spirits Alcohol-Free Amaretto
5. Alcohol-free bitter cocktails
Alcohol-Free Bitter Spritz
- 5cl Sober Spirits Bitter 0.0%
- 2cl agave syrup
- 10cl tonic water
- Fresh orange slice
Note: the alcohol-free bitter is an Italian-style bitter product. If you like your spritz properly bitter, cut the agave right back or leave it out. Serve very cold, over ice.
Sober Spirits Alcohol-Free Bitter
Alcohol-Free Negroni
- 2cl Sober Spirits Bitter 0.0%
- 3cl Sober Spirits Gin 0.0%
- 6cl white grape juice
- Orange zest
Variation: red grape juice works too, as does apple juice — infused with cinnamon or not.
Sober Spirits Alcohol-Free Bitter
Why build with alcohol-free spirits?
A good alcohol-free spirit lets you make drinks that stand up next to their alcoholic counterparts on flavour. They slot into your existing recipes, and they answer what a growing part of your clientele is actually asking for: a sophisticated drinking experience, without the alcohol.
Building your Dry January menu
Sober Spirits makes a range of alcohol-free spirits from real spirits — whisky, gin, rum, amaretto and bitter. Unlike most of the category, ours come from a distinctive alcohol extraction process, which is what preserves the authentic taste. That work has been recognised with awards for the world's best non-alcoholic spirits.
Download our alcohol-free recipe booklet to see how these fit onto your menu, and give your guests a January worth staying out for — with no compromise on taste or quality.
