Are You ‘Going Dry’ This January?

By Frank Sabatini Jr.

Ever since the British charity known as Alcohol Change UK introduced a challenge in 2013 for drinkers to abstain from booze for 31 straight days in January, the fasting effort has become an annual wellness-oriented trend throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Known as “dry January,” the occasion spawned a slew of creative mocktails in bars everywhere, including lots of cool places in San Diego. Below are several noteworthy zero-proof drinks we’ve discovered that might help you forget about those high-octane gin martinis for a while.

The Sunset Colada at Hotel Indigo’s Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails, Gaslamp Quarter.

Expect a delightful, milky blend of pineapple juice, coconut cream and agave that takes on a dash of sexy tartness from blood orange.

Cucumber Refresher at Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine, Gaslamp Quarter.

Savor a taste of summer in the dead of winter with this soothing blend of house-made cucumber-honeydew juice, muddled mint, a squeeze of lime, and a touch of soda water to bring effervescence to the palate.

The Ginger Crisp at Artifact, Balboa Park.

Park your caboose at the bar inside this sleek restaurant within the Mingei International Museum and sip away in celebration of 2025 on what tastes like a rousing party drink. The concoction is made simply from cider, ginger beer and lime. It’s ultra-refreshing and seemingly brightens the senses.

The Unfashioned at Postino, Little Italy.

The omission of whiskey is no big deal in what is a clean, satisfying spin on a classic old fashioned served at this inviting wine bar. The drink carries the same earthy bite and richness as its alcohol-infused counterpart, allowing you to savor the alcohol-free amaro and bitters along with the bonus of smooth honey—and without feeling crispy the next morning.

Zombie Prescription at Kindred, South Park.

Leave it to the hippest vegan hot spot in San Diego to offer an array of well-engineered mocktails from its stylish bar. Among them is a “prescription” for better health, given that it’s infused with anti-inflammatory ingredients such as turmeric, ginger and cinnamon, which are tastefully combined with pineapple, grapefruit and lemon.