By Aubrey Lenyard, Georgia Tech, FBA
January always arrives with a mix of resolve and realism. The holidays have barely packed their bags, the fridge is full of leftovers, and suddenly the phrase “Dry January” starts floating around conversations at the coffee shop, the gym, and yes, the farmers’ market. Some folks embrace it wholeheartedly. Others flirt with the idea before quietly bowing out by mid-month. Wherever you land each new year, I like to think of Dry January less as a rule and more as an opportunity to be curious.
I should say upfront that I don’t drink alcohol, and I never have. Dry January does not change my personal habits, but it does change the conversations around me. Each year, it gives us the chance to dive into questions about what we drink, why we drink it, and how we choose to celebrate.
I am Southern to my core, and as far as I’m concerned, sweet tea is and always has been the house wine of the South. Dependable and comforting, it’s never not welcome. But every once in a while, especially when friends are coming over, I like to up the ante with a non-alcoholic option that feels thoughtful and elevated. Luckily, Georgia is full of beverage entrepreneurs who create exactly that.
One of my go-to brands is Sooko Gardens, founded by Nikki Koehler. Her drinks are intentional in the best way: they’re made from real fruits, spices, and herbs, with no additives or preservatives. These are the kinds of drinks I like to sip slowly, and they deserve to be poured into a proper glass. You can find Sooko Gardens online at sookogardens.com and at farmers’ markets across Georgia.
When I’m craving a little bite and warmth, I reach for Sweet Ginger Browne. Founder Ebony Coleman set out to recreate the magic of a house-made ginger ale from raw ginger root, and the resulting ginger mixers and elixirs are unapologetically bold. There is real spice here, the kind that wakes up your senses (not to mention your sinuses). During Dry January, I mix Sweet Ginger Browne with sparkling water, fresh citrus, and whatever herbs I have on hand. It feels festive while completely sidestepping the disappointment that sometimes arises when a drink tries to mimic an alcoholic cocktail and fails. You can explore Ebony’s mixers at sweetgingerbrowne.com.
It might surprise you to see EZE Top Shelf Mixers on a Dry January list, but I have always believed a great mixer should stand on its own. Founder Ed Bauer spent decades refining balance and flavor, using all-natural ingredients and small-batch production. When mixed with soda water and a salted rim, EZE’s margarita mix is crisp and refreshing, proving once and for all that a well-made mixer doesn’t need alcohol to shine. Learn more at ezemixers.com.
I also want to be transparent with readers. I know Ed, Ebony, and Nikki through the Georgia Tech Food and Beverage Accelerator, where they are members. I’ve had the privilege of watching them build, test, and grow their brands here in Georgia. Far from lessening my enthusiasm about their products, this shared experience has only deepened it.
Finally, there is The Little Sober Bar, founded by Brytiany Hyde, which feels less like a business and more like a stake in the ground. Arising from Brytiany’s own sobriety path and her desire for inclusive celebration, The Little Sober Bar is a mobile mocktail purveyor that creates space for everyone. Watching it grow from a simple idea to a fully realized business reinforces the notion that community is just as important as what’s on tap.
As January unfolds, I remind myself once again that choosing not to drink requires no explanation, and I’m grateful that Georgia’s non-alcoholic beverage makers make it easy to say yes to flavor, ritual, and connection. Sweet tea will always be number one in my heart, but these local brands provide the answers to almost any question about how to raise a glass during Dry January. Cheers to that!
Dry January is less about following a rule and more about the opportunity to explore new flavors. Georgia-based beverage makers are proving that you can keep the ritual and sophistication of a cocktail without the alcohol. (GDA/File Photo)
Georgia brands to sip in Dry January:
Sooko Gardens: sookogardens.com
Sweet Ginger Browne: sweetgingerbrowne.com
EZE Top Shelf Mixers: ezemixers.com
The Little Sober Bar: Follow along on social for events and pop ups
Aubrey Leynard is co-director of the Georgia Tech Food and Beverage Accelerator (GT-FBA). Learn more online at https://gtfba.innovate.gatech.edu/.
This article was originally published in the Farmers and Consumers Market Bulletin and is republished here with permission.
