Curiouser and curiouser: A sobering take on bottled bevvies

Come through the looking glass as we sample some wild things

Even though January is 5,967 days long, we’re nearing the end of it. So why did I decide this is the perfect time to talk about Dry January? Because I’m kind of hoping you’ll give these a try even if you don’t keep a dry house, and even if it isn’t January, and even if you think Dry January is stupid.

Y’all know I try to keep it fun and games around here, but this is a serious subject to me. I have the occasional glass of wine or hard cider, but when I worked inpatient as a dietitian, I saw so many people whose health had been impacted by alcohol, some of them severely. Some of those deaths have stuck with me, and I hope to see fewer of them.

For a while there, red wine especially developed a reputation as a health food due to its association with the Mediterranean Diet. Unfortunately, it turns out that while red wine might be less harmful than most other alcohols, most of the benefits of that style of eating are from the fatty fish and vegetables, and not from the bottle. Even if there is a little bit of a heart benefit for some groups, there are also increased risks for things like cancer and dementia, so I’ve never said to a patient, “You know, as your dietitian, I really think you should start drinking.”

So how much alcohol is safe? Some studies have concluded, none. Even if you’re below the recommended limit of no more than 7 drinks a week for women or 14 for men, and no more than 4 in a single day, I probably would suggest cutting back. Keep in mind that many of those drinks have ludicrous amounts of calories, but since they’re exempt from labeling laws, they don’t have to tell you.

I suggest cutting back as someone who LOVES to have a fancy little drink as an evening relaxer though. So what do I do? It depends on the season, but I love a little tart cherry juice, which has a depth and complexity to rival a glass of cab, or a big glass of iced seltzer with lime and pink salt for that whiff of marg. Dark hot cocoa, or chocolate rooibos with a dash of angostura bitters are winter favorites.

There’s more to alcohol than flavor, though. There’s a bite, a chemical warmth, and often there are friends at the table. Those things are important…and they’re still available for the “dry curious”. There are lots of new “dry bars” popping up, serving fun mixed drinks to cool people in beautiful spaces. Austin’s Dear Dry Drinkery has mixology classes and a huge variety of bottled and canned beverages.

Sans Bar is in the swanky downtown part of Austin, with a beautiful bar serving only alcohol-free drinks. They also offer an amazing virtual sober living series.

I tried several things at a recent event at Dear, and I’ve gotta say, I’m impressed with the new kids on the sober living block. My two favorite brands so far? Curious Elixirs, and Ghia Soda.

Curious Elixirs has some insane flavors, and I cannot believe the mouthfeel they’ve achieved. The line has an apothecary vibe, with numbers on the beautiful brown bottles instead of cutesy names. You have to do a little investigating to figure out what’s in each one, but it’s easy enough to read the back of the label. This brand has an actual bite to it, a slight burn so much like alcohol. All except for the No. 5 (coconut and pineapple colada-thingy) and the No. 8 (spiced berry and adaptogenic mushroom pangalactic gargleblaster) are lightly, beautifully carbonated. They are refreshing, and refreshingly upfront about what’s in them. All the ingredients are listed, and I am very pleased to report it’s mostly filtered water and delightful blends of organic juices, with no added sugars or weird zero calorie sweeteners. They range from 25 to 75 calories and 5-15 g carbs per serving, usually 2 servings in a container. There’s a range of herbs added, some with purported stress-reducing effects, but they add to the flavor instead of being something medicinal to hide. Ginger, juniper, gentian, ashwaganda. I can’t tell you which is my favorite, because I love all of them, but each mocktail is inspired by a cocktail, like a Negroni or Dark and Stormy, so if you scan for your favorite flavors on the collection’s page, you might find the one to try first. These just make me very, very happy. Whoever mixed them knew what they were doing with flavors and mouthfeel.

Ghia is a very close second. There’s an original aperitif I haven’t tried, but the sodas based on it all come in small cans. There’s a recipe section on their website that is not to be missed. If you’re a visual imbiber, you’ll love their suggestions for using all those amazing cocktail glasses and garnishes. I do have a favorite of this brand — the Sumac Chili. The initial scent is exactly like the fine mist of citrus oil you get when you peel a grapefruit, and the flavor is intense, playfully bitter, slightly spicy by Texas standards, with the most amazing woody undertone. It’s like drinking your favorite Tajin-rimmed cocktail with a rosemary wreath around your head. I also really love the Lime and Salt; the note in that one I couldn’t place turned out to be fig! Again, there’s nothing artificial in these — they’re things like yuzu juice and nervine herbal extracts — and the effect is remarkable. They run 50 to 60 calories per 8 oz. can, with 12-14 g carbs.

You don’t even have to decide you’re going to go dry to try these, but you might find them supportive if you do decide to drink a bit less. They look fancy, they taste fancy, they have fancy ingredients, and there really is a familiar mouthfeel and somehow, a sense of ease for me. Your mileage may vary, of course.

The point of Dry January is to give your body a break, but it also gives you a chance to notice your behavior. Some people find they sleep better, or they lose weight. It might be easier to control their blood sugar, or make for deeper conversations with friends and loved ones. It might also help you notice that your relationship with alcohol has become hard for you to change. If that’s where you are, there’s no shame in it, but that doesn’t stop people from feeling it. It’s a hard thing to realize. It’s also a hard path to walk alone, but there is lots of help available. Some places to start:

Alcoholics Anonymous

If you need secular AA meetings, they are available.

Recovery Dharma groups are also springing up all over.

RD note: Curious Elixirs sent me some free samples with no guarantee of a favorable review, or indeed of any review at all. I purchased Ghia myself at a Target, so it’s widely available. Both contain some herbal extracts, so if you are taking medications that may interact, or nursing or pregnant, check with your medical team before enjoying. That’s true of a lot of things though, including most dietary supplements, lots of health shakes, herbal teas, and of course…alcohol.