How to conquer Dry January in Columbus
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Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
Joining the Dry January trend doesn't mean your nights out have to be dull, as there are more alcohol-free options and attention surrounding sobriety than ever before.
Why it matters: Studies show that temporarily abstaining from alcohol comes with health perks like better sleep, less stress and weight loss.
- Year after year, December is the country's peak month for retail alcohol sales, per the Pew Research Center, so cutting off booze is popular in January as a way to wind down.
State of play: Dry January has been around for more than a decade.
- What's changed in the last few years is the increasing availability of fun, varied nonalcoholic drinks — from unique cocktails and sodas to beers and wines that taste like the real thing.
The big picture: On TikTok, #dryjanuary posts were up 50% toward the end of last year compared with the same period in 2023, Axios' Analis Bailey reports.
- #sobertips posts were up more than 50% and #mocktail posts were up over 70%.
What they're saying: David Yee, manager of Cobra in the Brewery District, told Forbes he expects low-proof and no-proof alcohol will be one of 2025's biggest drink trends.
- "We use our NA offerings as a way to share our Asian American flavor perspective with our guests who choose not to imbibe," he says.
Pro tips for a successful Dry January, from Axios Finish Line:
💬 Tell people. It holds you accountable and makes it easier to navigate social situations.
✂️ Cut back. Instead of quitting altogether, perhaps try a Damp January first. Use the month to reset the way you think about alcohol and mindfully drink less.
🙂 Replace, don't erase. If you're used to a nightly glass of wine, don't stop that ritual — find a substitute.
- Plus: Don't skip social occasions, or you'll burn out quickly. Instead, find and order nonalcoholic options you love.
🍹 Some recommendations: Resident Axios beer guru John Frank rounded up the six nonalcoholic beers you need to try and taste-tested them.
- Study the recipes of viral mocktails you're seeing on social media or revisit this list of readers' local favorites.
🍸 Bonus idea: Learn to mix like the pros at this Jan. 18 class at Law Bird or this Jan. 24 class at Near East Cafe.