If cutting out alcohol is part of your New Year's resolution, you're not alone.
More people are joining the Dry January movement. But now instead of just cutting out alcohol for the month, some people are trying new alternatives to alcohol.
There are all kinds of brands out there advertising to be zero proof but with the similar taste of alcohol and they're slowly becoming more popular.
Megan Klein, Founder/CEO of Little Saints, says, "Non-alcoholic is like a super growing industry right now."
JW Wiseman, Founder of Curious Elixirs, says, "We kind of saw an increase at the beginning of the pandemic and then another increase later in the fall of 2020 and that has kept continuing. Each year has been growing for the past 20 to 30% for the past 10 years."
Since the beginning of the New Year, you may have seen an advertisement or two of different alcohol alternative brands. Some replacing spirits or seltzers, there's even drops for wine.
Some bars and retailers are also starting to provide more nonalcoholic options.
Loren Devincenzi, owner of Rum Sugar Lime, says, "We carry an NA menu specifically because people are always wanting it year-round, but January is definitely the busiest."
Brand owners and bartenders are replacing the alcohol with botanicals, herbs, and fresh ingredients, not just to improve the taste, but your health as well.
Tatiana Mercer, cofounder of Three Spirit, says, "We have a drink called the Livener, which is a pick me up - it's energizing, it's got naturally energizing ingredients."
Wiseman adds, "Ashwagandha in number three, that's an adaptogen in India and that one helps you to have calm focus."
"The best thing to really know about our NA menu is the fact the everything is really fresh, and it just tastes fresh, and I think that's what makes an NA cocktail really good," says Devincenzi.
While some people don't mind sticking with common beverages such as soda and energy drinks, others are saying they still want to feel like they're drinking something a little more mature.
Klein says, "The reason why I made Little Saints the way I did was because I didn't want to feel like a juice or a sparkling water at night. I wanted an adult drink that felt like a reward."
Nick Parino, a taste testing volunteer trying the Curious Elixir No. 4, says, "Still tastes like alcohol. I guess you still feel like you're drinking but obviously not."
Donald Abbott, another volunteer trying the Ritual Tequila Alternative, says, "You can still go get a drink and still partake and hang out while enjoying the health benefits of taking a break."
"It's designed to subtly support your body so that you either get an immunity boost, or a boost of energy, or you're helping boost your mood," Wiseman explains.
While some people cut back on alcohol to no longer feel tipsy, others might not mind the lightheaded feeling but still don't want to deal with a hangover the next day.
One brand, Nowadays infused with THC, advertises to give people a "buzz" but without the negative effects of real alcohol.
Kylee Spencer, a taste testing volunteer, says, "I do feel a little lighter, a little warmer," after trying the drink.
But other brands are saying that's not their purpose.
"You're not coming to Little Saints to get intoxicated," Klein says.
"It's not some kind of hard hard buzz," adds Mercer on Three Spirit.
On Curious Elixir, Wiseman says, "We're not trying to replace the alcoholic buzz with another buzz."
But should brands like Nowadays be treated as if it were real alcohol?
Chris Johnson, public information officer for Reno Police Department, states, "There could be some pretty significant side effects and there could be some legal side effects as well. If you're caught behind the wheel under impairment, you could get a DUI."
Officer Johnson clarifies that it's not just alcohol that can cause a DUI but anything that impairs your ability to drive, including THC.
But since most substitute brands do not contain any ingredients that could impair you, some say it's safe for minors to consume them. However, that's also up to the seller.
Klein says, "My nephews who are ages 4 to 13 drink them all the time and they think it's cool."
Mercer doesn't agree, "I don't think it would be appropriate to see a kid with an old fashioned-looking drink in their hand."
Wiseman, "No reason to keep the curious away from the kids."
Klein adds, "There are certain states, that I just need to say, that have ruled that even if something has no intoxicating ingredients in it, if it is branded as a cocktail which ours absolutely is, they're not supposed to drink it unless they're 21."
According to RPD, Nevada has no such law and anyone under 21 can purchase non-alcoholic beverages regardless of its presentation.
However, is it encouraged to always look into ingredients and do your research before trying anything new, especially if you're pregnant or ill.
Wiseman shares an example: "Curious number three with ashwagandha, the FDA recommends that pregnant people do not consumer ashwagandha."
Mercer advises to approach with caution, "One of our drinks has caffeine in it. Some people who are pregnant may drink coffee some may not."
Renown Health Doctor Marie McCormack says alternatives like these can be triggering for people struggling with alcohol addiction and recommends avoiding them at all costs: "It sounds like some of those will still taste like alcohol so you can find yourself replacing one addiction with another."
Once again, do your research before trying something new. And as for minors, be sure to check in with your parents before consuming any alcohol alternatives.
