Dry January is bigger than it’s ever been this year, with 6.5 million UK adults planning to go alcohol-free for the whole of this month. That’s up by a whopping 2.6 million on the number who took part this time last year, demonstrating a huge growth in the number of people recognising that they want to improve their relationship with alcohol.
In fact, recent research from Alcohol Change UK, the charity behind Dry January, suggested that more than a quarter of people in the UK who drink alcohol said they would like to cut down in 2021.
Now, as we head into our third national lockdown, it’s even more important to look after ourselves and take better care of our physical and mental health, which for many people means cutting back on their alcohol consumption.
But is lockdown a good time to give up alcohol?
Having already experienced months of disruption, social distancing and challenging restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, you might be wondering if this is really the right time to embark on giving up alcohol.
The answer, of course, is YES! There’s never an ideal time to do something that’s out of our comfort zone, but the benefits to be had when we take care of ourselves properly are vast – from feeling better all round to thinking more clearly and sleeping more soundly. Plus, with 6.5 million other people doing Dry January too, there’s a huge amount of support and resources available to keep you on track.
Here are a few ideas from us at Sea Arch Drinks to help you stay on the wagon, even if it’s only for a month!
Indulgence is the key to success
First and foremost, the key to success with Dry January is in indulgence, but indulgence of a different kind. Treat yourself to delicious non-alcoholic drinks that really don’t feel like a compromise. Think of it not as denial but as an exploration, a special treat, a new experience. There’s so much out there to try and you’re sure to find some new favourites along the way that you’ll keep coming back to long after Dry January has finished.
Needless to say, our Sea Arch Coastal Juniper blend is a great place to start! Bursting with seaside botanicals, it is a crisp, complex, full-flavoured alternative to gin. Sea Arch is made using many of the classic gin botanicals including juniper, cardamom, coriander and blood orange, alongside sea kelp and samphire, both of which are local to us here on the Devon coast. This combination is not only delicious and refreshing but also reminiscent of uplifting, breezy days by the coast – providing a much-needed sense of escape as we find ourselves locked down again!
Don’t just take our word for it…
Of course we’d say it’s wonderful, you might be thinking, but don’t just take our word for it – have a look at some of the fabulous online reviews that Sea Arch has recently received from top drinks writers and in leading publications.
Writing in The Times this week, for instance, Jane MacQuitty described Sea Arch Coastal Juniper as “the best gin substitute I have tasted, with an extraordinary depth of flavour”, while both The Independent and Decanter magazine have listed it in their recommendations for the top spirits to try this Dry January.
Mix it up this Dry January
Another good tip to help you stick with your commitment to giving up the booze this month is to experiment with different mixers and recipe ideas. Introduce a bit more fun and flavour into your Dry January drinks by creating some bespoke non-alcoholic cocktails, or try out some of the cocktail recipes on this website. A classic Sea & T, for instance, has all the deliciousness of a G&T with none of the alcohol, while a smooth, creamy Sea Arch Sour really does taste like indulgence.
On the other hand, if time is of the essence, why not try our new ready to drink (RTD) Sea & T cans, pre-mixed with premium tonic, so you can simply snap it open and enjoy. Made with our Sea Arch Coastal Juniper blend as the base, the Sea & T RTD is a double measure of Sea Arch spirit mixed with a lightly sparkling Indian tonic, and the Rose Sea & T is blended with a delicate rose and raspberry infused tonic. They really are delicious, and if you don’t know which you like the sound of best, why not order a mixed case and try them both?
Ring the changes in 2021
More than ever this year, Dry January needs to be about treating ourselves kindly – caring for our emotional and physical health by doing something proactive and positive to improve our lifestyle, and thoroughly spoiling ourselves in the process! We’ve all had enough of denial and restriction over recent months. Now it’s time to do Dry January in style!
Evolution not Revolution
Referring to some of these spirits as non-alcoholic gins helps people to relate to them in a way they find familiar. Using recognisable flavours and traditional extraction techniques supports this. Enlisting skilled mixologists to present non-alcoholic drinks and cocktails with a real sense of theatre adds to their authenticity and means they can be enjoyed at any occasion where alcoholic drinks are served.
Some may look at this as a revolution, but to others it is an evolution. A natural progression, fitting for today’s awareness of the harmful effects of alcohol and interest in health and well-being.
Gin is one of the broadest categories of spirits, represented by products of various origins, styles, and flavour profiles. It can therefore be concluded that non-alcoholic gin is a welcome and valid addition to the category, fulfilling the imbiber’s increasing demand for choice and innovation.
