Dry January: How to Do It Well

Dry January is officially a thing. And whether you’re doing it for health, curiosity, budget, or simply to reset after the holidays, the good news is this: you don’t have to give up going out—you just have to be a little more intentional.

In this Q&A, Nycci Nellis, our founder & publisher of TheListAreYouOnIt.com, sat down with WTOP to unpack the hows and whys of Dry January. It’s a real conversation around non-alcoholic beverages, and what this growing movement means for diners and the restaurant industry. Nycci shares practical insights and recommendations to help you do Dry January your way, deliciously and without missing out.

Q: For anyone new to this—what exactly is Dry January?

NN: At its core, Dry January is about taking a break from alcohol for the month of January. Some people go fully dry, others do it part-time or just during the week. There’s no single right way, it’s about awareness and reset after a very celebratory season.

Q: Why has Dry January become so popular?

NN: After the holidays, people are tired! Physically, socially, & financially. Dry January gives you a pause. A lot of folks notice better sleep, more energy, and clearer mornings.

Q: How does Dry January affect what people are spending when they go out? Why do NA drinks often cost as much as alcoholic ones?

NN: This is the big misconception. People assume non-alcoholic drinks are just juice and soda, and that’s simply not true. High-quality non-alcoholic spirits (whiskey alternatives, tequila alternatives, NA wines, etc) often cost as much as or more than what bartenders are using in alcoholic cocktails. Seeing a $25–$35 bottle of NA whiskey or aperitif is completely normal. Don’t forget the other products and labor that go into making that N/A cocktail. It takes time and commitment and that all costs money. And from the restaurant side, don’t forget that January is traditionally tough. Thoughtful NA programs can actually help bring people out in January instead of staying home.

Q: The big fear is missing out socially, how do you make it work?

NN:You go out anyway. You just order differently. NA cocktails today are layered and creative, it’s not just soda water with lime anymore. You still get the ritual, the glassware and the experience.

Q: Any tips for dining out during Dry January?

NN: Absolutely lean into the food. Try tasting menus, order the things you might normally skip. And always ask what the bartender recommends off the NA list, trust me they’re genuinely proud of those drinks.

Q: Where are the best places right now for really good non-alcoholic

cocktails and NA drink lists?

NN: The DMV is doing this really well right now. There are spots putting as much care into their zero-proof cocktails as their regular menus. 

Dining Out 

Alfreda - Modern Italian spot offering refreshing zero-proof spritzes.

-Lychee Spritz — lychee, lemon, soda

-Mango & Almond Spritz — mango, almond, lemon, soda

All Set - New England-inspired seafood spot in Silver Spring with six different NA cocktails on their menu.  

Coastal Chic – passionfruit puree, habanero syrup, lemon 

Bye Bish – hibiscus ginger beer, lemon, ginger syrup

Perfect Hideout – lemon, lavender syrup, blackberry puree, foam

Bar Chinois - A Chinatown favorite pairing zero-proof sipping with a beauty perk.

-The Frizz Fizz — Giffard N/A pineapple, lemon, ginger beer

Includes a $20 Dry Bar blowout credit through January 31

Balian Springs - A luxury wellness sanctuary with a CBD & adaptogen bar serving functional zero-proof drinks.

-N/A Frozen Mango Margarita with CBD

-Passionfruit Lemonade Adaptogen Frozens

Blue Duck Tavern - Zero-proof cocktails credited to the beverage team at Blue Duck Lounge.

-Coffee Old Fashioned — Clean & Co. NA bourbon, espresso, chocolate bitters

-Bitter Zero — Bare NA gin, Undone vermouth, bittersweet aperitif, sparkling

Bresca - A Michelin-starred destination offering a thoughtful NA pairing experience.

-Buzz-Free Cocktail Pairing — fully tailored NA pairing by Devin Felli, available with Chef Ryan Ratino’s tasting menu and Restaurant Week menus

Cordelia Fishbar - Playful zero-proof cocktails available all month and during Happy Hour.

-Apple of My Eye — apple cider, cranberry juice, orange clove-cinnamon syrup

-All Gas, No Brakes — Lucena NA amaro, espresso, maple, blood-orange oleo saccharum

dLeña - Bold Mexican flavors with a zero-proof program designed as fully realized cocktails.

-Aloe & Apple White No-groni — Seedlip Garden 108, aperitif blanco, verjus, apple, aloe, green grape

-Coco & Mango Milk Punch — Almave Blanco, pineapple, coconut, mango, lime, dried chili

The Dabney  - Spirit-free pairings and à la carte NA cocktails by Daniel Todd.

-$55 Spirit-Free Pairing

-Highlights include Northern Neck Spagliato, Understory, Pippin’s Margarita, Fennel Sour, NA pear cider, NA pilsner

Joon - Persian-inspired NA wines and mocktails.

-Apricot Refresh — apricot, basil, lemon

-Doogh — labna, dried mint

-Mango-Ginger Spritz

Kyojin - Japanese-inspired zero-proof cocktails with balance.

-Kiss & Fly — lychee, apple, citrus

-Keihi Ember — warm apple cider, yuzu, house-made cinnamon syrup

Lapop & Lapis - Afghan-inspired NA cocktails highlighting spice and florals.

-Lavender Saffron French 75

-Anar Soda — rose-pomegranate

-Babur Gardens — black pepper, basil, NA gin

Liberty Tavern - Comfort-driven zero-proof cocktails with seasonal flavors.

-Figure It Out — fig jam, pear nectar, thyme, lemon

-Pearfect Harmony — pear, ginger, honey

Maison Bar à Vin - Wine-forward bar offering NA wines, NA pils, and composed zero-proof cocktails.

-Fritz Spiritz — Fritz NA Müller-Thurgau, elderflower, lemon, cucumber, herbes de Provence

Matt & Tony’s - Bartender Michael Riojas mixes it up.

-Orchard to Glass — apple juice, verjus, rosemary Darjeeling tea, carbonated

-Phony Negroni — Pathfinder NA hemp spirit, Seedlip Grove, aromatic cranberry

Moon Rabbit - Vietnamese-inspired NA pairings by Thi Nguyen.

-Đào Hoa (Lady-Killer) — peach, verjus blanc, jasmine-lemongrass soda

-Thỏ Ngọc (Jade) — soursop, osmanthus, lemon, vegan foam

NUE - Elegantly Vietnamese with an extensive zero-proof menu celebrating Southeast Asian flavors.

-Lychee Calamansi  — lychee, yuzu, calamansi, grenadine, Sprite

-Firelight  — Seedlip Grove 42, prickly pear, pomegranate, lime, maple orange

Paraíso- Playful zero-proof cocktails with party energy.

-No Stars — passion fruit, vanilla, serrano, bubbles

Primrose - Bartender Lia Burrell shakes it up.

-Bigelow’s Story — green tea, cherry blossom, citrus, club soda

-Jeux de Mains — spiced sorrel, mixed citrus, tonic

Silver Lyan - Sam Nellis & the team serve boozeless versions of house cocktails designed to drink like the originals.

-Boozeless Shaka Sour — passion fruit, citrus, vegan foam, hold the vodka

Taco Bamba – Taco Bamba is offering two limited-time spirit-free cocktails through January, at all locations except for Falls Church.

-Flor de Paloma - Hibiscus, Grapefruit, Lime, Grapefruit Soda 

-Mangofuego - Mango, pineapple, jalapeno, Lime, Mint, Ginger Beer

Taquería Xochi - Mexican street–inspired NA drinks.

-Mangonada — mango, chamoy, tamarind candy straw

-Piña Chamoyada — pineapple, chamoy, tamarind candy straw

Tiffany’s Bar & Bistro - Modern Mediterranean restaurant along the H Street Corridor offering a year-round sans-spirit menu of handcrafted mocktails. 

-Sage of Smyrna — pear juice, sage syrup, lemon juice, tonic

-Rosetta Stone — pomegranate juice, lime juice, rose & cardamom syrup, ginger beer

-Crimson Hearth — hibiscus spiced cider, lemon juice, honey syrup, club soda

The Pembroke - Partnering with Lyre’s and Leitz Vineyards for premium NA cocktails and wines.

-Amalfi Spritz

-London Spritz

-Cinnamon Espresso Martini

Vagabond - Creative zero-proof cocktails with global inspiration.

-Turtle Bay — pink peppercorn hibiscus tea, lime, simple

-Wishing Wells — lychee, lemon, yuzu soda

Retail & Take-home NA Drinks

Astro Beer Hall - Beer hall in the Village at Shirlington offering a wallet-friendly Dry January lineup of non-alcoholic beer, wine, and mocktails through the end of the month.

-Mexican Lager  — Best Day Brewing

-Cranberry Mojito  — lime juice, mint, cranberry syrup, agave

-Nozeco  — non-alcoholic French sparkling wine

Good Time Brewing Co - Family-operated NA brewery offering full-flavored beer without alcohol.

-NA IPA

-NA Pilsner

-NA Wheat Beer

Notch Brewing Co - Traditional lager-focused brewery offering balanced NA beers.

-NA Hazy IPA

-NA Pilsner

St. Agrestis - Brooklyn-made non-alcoholic ready-to-drink cocktails using old-world methods.

-Phony Negroni

-Phony Mezcal Negroni

-Phony White Negroni

Dry January doesn’t have to feel restrictive, it can actually be delicious and a smart reset for both diners and the industry.