Guide to Dry January, Part Three
The stunning conclusion to my NA taste tests for Dry Jan, 2025
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.
Welcome back to a timely series I’m working on - reviews and suggestions for a sober January (and beyond!). This will be final post on this topic (for now!). There are SO many options in this space now (woot!) that I thought I would try to help narrow it down with the ones I’ve tried and my honest opinion. You can see the first part in this series here and the second part in the series here.
First up, I am a lucky duck, because I’m working with Leilo to give you readers a sweet deal - $5 off when you use MOJOPR129 at checkout. Just head to their site, pick out what you’d like to try and use that code when it’s time to pay. Personally, I was dying to try their Margarita flavor (as that was my drink of choice before becoming a teetotaler), so I ordered a case of that (which you can also get on Amazon for $50 for a 12-pack) and some of their Drink Mix (which you can also get on Amazon for $25 for a 10-ct box).
I have to say, other than going through the work of hand squeezing limes and using Ritual’s Tequila Alternative to make a margarita (which cannot be beat!), this is hands down the best NA margarita I’ve ever had. It’s not at all sweet, which I LOVE and it has a great sour taste that is more akin to natural lime juice than fake lime tasting flavoring. Writing this out makes me think that I need to try it in a rocks glass with a salted rim. NO idea why I didn’t think of that earlier, but that’s next up on my list to try with my remaining supply!
Amongst the chaos of starting a new strength program, talent show rehearsals, paying quarterly taxes, working, shuttling kids to activities and trying to KIND of keep my house clean during this second true week of 2025, I needed a LOT of relaxation. Leilo delivered. I took a can in the bathtub with me one night while I soaked (also invited Dr. Teal’s bedtime bubble bath, of course) AND I wound down my Friday night with a tumbler full (love these tumblers in beautiful colors from Hydroflask - I’ve had mine since the days when I used to fill it with beer and and hard kombucha!). Both times, pure bliss and relaxation. I can actually feel my muscles unclenching and my brain saying “ahhhhhhhh.” I still think it might be a bit too pricey to drink EVERY night (though I do take these Magnesium/L-Theanine supplements every night), it’s great for special use cases.
The Leilo calming drink mix ($25 on Amazon for a 10-ct) is great for on the go. Also, the cost per use is obviously a lot less than buying one of the RTD canned options. Afternoon carpool at my kids’ school is a time that I usually try to fit in a little meditation in my car, after I arrive, but before I have to walk over and pick them up. I decided to bring Leilo along for the ride (literally!) in my favorite water bottle. (In case you’re wondering, I have the 32oz Hydroflask (starting at $30 on the brand’s site) - I’ve had it for TEN YEARS and still love the heck out of it! There are so many cool colors to choose from now.)
This was a great way to bring a dose of chill with me to a hectic time of day. Right before the chaos of kids climbing in the backseat (Shouting out stories from their day! Fighting over EVERYTHING! Asking “what’s for dinner?”!)I got to meditate AND sip on this calming mix to down-regulate my nervous system (don’t know what I’m talking about? Listen to this episode of The Skinny Confidential!). It worked a lot like the other canned drinks I’ve reviewed - a nice sense of relaxation and just “letting go.” I think I’ll stash a few of these packets in my glove box for future “stress emergencies.” I already keep LMNT packets in there for dehydration emergencies, so let’s keep the water powder party going, shall we?
Another brand I want to highlight for Dry January is Curious Elixirs. In addition to being infused with relaxing adaptogens (not to mention top quality ingredients and ZERO sugar), they do have some AMAZING concoctions that will fancify any event or Saturday night that used to be filled with boozy cocktails. The company collaborates with bartenders, herbalists and food scientists to combine juices, herbs, spices, roots and botanicals to whip up mixes like Spicy Pineapple Ginger Margarita (24 cocktails for $108 on the brand’s site) or Smoked Chocolate Cherry Old Fashioned (24 cocktails for $115 on the brand’s site). If you’re not sure where to start, you can take the flavor quiz on their site for recommendations. If you get addicted, you can start a floating variety pack subscription ($98 per month on the brand’s site). All of the drinks are “ready to drink” so you can keep them chilled and just pour one out when you’re ready (though the website highly encourages and recommends garnish and frills to feel extra fancy!)
I am a lucky girl, because Curious Elixirs sent me a few things to try out and review on this here blog! They also provided me with my very own coupon code! Use: THEPREDIT1, this is good for $10 off any order over $50.
First, we tried the Sicilian Blood Orange Spritz ($48 for 4 bottles on their site). I absolutely love this flavor.
The citrus is PERFECT for a chilly winter evening and there is just a TOUCH of bitterness (like the kind that comes from the orange rind). Most importantly, it is not overly sweet or super carbonated. This one was so “drinkable,” I could easily sip on these all evening long at a social gathering where other people were having cocktails OR just drink one while I read a book!
Here are the ingredients/benefits, according to the website:
-Blood Orange: regulates cholesterol and helps protect against strokes
-American Ginseng: increases mental clarity, fights inflammation
-Turmeric: fights inflammation, helps body balance
-Holy Basil: reduces stress, regulates blood sugar
Though I didn’t quite feel the same “rush” of relaxation that I got with Leilo or Recess, I definitely felt relaxed, and enjoyed the taste of this one best of all. It really does mimic what I think I remember cocktails tasting like, so it's a very elegant and festive feeling for a Saturday night drink.
I also got to taste their newest addition, the No. 9, Sparkling Rose Cocktail (24 cocktails for $108 on the brand’s site).
Here are the ingredients/benefits of that one, according to the website:
-Rose: anti-inflammatory AND aids digestion
-Chardonnay Grapes: California-grown with a touch of minerality
-South African kanna: renowned mood-booster
-California Poppy: relaxes the body and mind
-French oak: fights fatigue
I really like this one too (though not nearly as much as the Blood Orange!). It’s subtle and understated without being at all bland. It tasted a little bit like Pom to me (though way less sour and more diluted - in a good way). On the other hand, this one felt MUCH more physically relaxing (score one for California Poppy!) and after only a few sips. This was akin to what I felt drinking Recess!
Overall, this has been a fun experimentation with lots of new brands. When I first began my sober journey back in 2021, there was not NEARLY this volume of options available, so I’m mostly just happy to see how many brands have provided options for people who don’t drink, even if I don’t buy them ALL the time. I’d just love to encourage people to use these options when you host parties or get togethers - some of your friends don’t drink! Or some of them might not feel like drinking THAT night. These are amazing choices that show you care about your sober or sober-ish friends.
I routinely pin products and recipes for “mocktails” on my Pinterest page - you can follow along here. I also have a “Dry January” collection on my ShopMy page if you want to get right down to brass tacks and buy. This whole exercise has re-invigorated my interest in mocktails. I started following @TheMindfulMocktail, @mammasmocktails and @MocktailGirlie on Instagram for some new recipe ideas and inspiration.
TLDR? Here are some of my favorites to shop for yourself:
Leilo
Buy a variety 6-pack on Amazon for $35 here
Shop their website here and use MOJOPR129 for $5 of your order
Recess
Buy a variety 12-pack on Amazon for $30 here
Buy the “Happy Hour Sampler” on the brand’s site for $30 here
Buy the Mood Powder on Amazon - $14 for a pack of ten here
Shop all Recess Mood Powders on the brand’s site here
Ritual
Curious Elixirs