Wellness Wednesday: Dry January Made Easy with These Miami Mocktails

If you’re anything like us, then you probably over-indulged a bit during the holidays. Now that the new year is here, it’s time to pull back just a little. We aren’t going full “new year, new you,” but some of us are taking it easy when it comes to happy hour.

Dry January is a popular way to start of the year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be out and about enjoying things with your friends and family. There are plenty of places that cater to those who aren’t looking for something boozy and would like to skip tomorrow’s hangover. The mocktail trend has become more widely spread as so many people are becoming more aware of their health, but also don’t want to just drink a soda or water while they’re out.

Here’s a few places offering great mocktails in Miami (plus a couple you can make on your own):

L Bar at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Hollywood

L Bar’s three 'Spirit-Free’ creations are the ideal must-haves for an alcohol-free month. Each drink has been thoughtfully created with ingredients inspired by the season. Creative options, priced at $8 each, include Blood Orange Cooler with agave nectar, blood orange, mint and fresh lime; Grape Rosemary Smash with rosemary, green grapes, and fresh lime, topped with rosemary sprigs; and Watermelon Cilantro Fresca with cilantro, watermelon chunks, fresh lime and agave nectar. L Bar is located at One Seminole Way in Hollywood, Florida inside the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

ETARU (Hallandale & Fort Lauderdale locations)

Opt for one of ETARU’s innovative iced teas this Dryuary. Options include the Matcha Iced Tea made with matcha, iced tea, yuzu and mango; and the Hibiscus & Orange Blossom Iced Tea with yuzu and soda. The perfect non-alcoholic alternatives to your typical soda or juice, these drinks perfectly compliment ETARU’s Japanese robatayaki cuisine all while being refreshingly sweet. ETARU Hallandale is located at 111 South Surf Road in Hallandale Beach. ETARU Las Olas is located at 500 East Las Olas Boulevard in Downtown Fort Lauderdale.

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Dragonfly Izakaya & Fish Market

At Dragonfly guests will find a full mocktail menu with options broken down by type. Want a refreshing mocktail — simply order it by that name and you’ll be served mint, filthy cherries, lavender simple, lemon juice, soda water. Opt for a frothy mocktail and you’ll find yourself drinking: house-made gernadine, cranberry, yuzu, egg whites. The menu also includes spicy, sweet, and savory options each priced at a reasonable $6.

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KYU

The menu at KYU has always catered to those craving something refreshing sans alcohol. The restaurant’s “sober concoction” section of the menu features three beverages that are created with the same care as any other cocktail on the menu:

Black Cherry Soda Pop – Fresh thyme, zesty lemon and house-made black cherry syrup topped off with club soda.
Thai Tonic – Kaffir lime, lemongrass and elderflower, come together for a nonalcoholic twist on a gin and tonic that offers a citric, herbal taste.
Ginger Chili Soda – Zero-proof with a kick. This mocktail infuses club soda with house-made ginger chili syrup.

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Broken Shaker / 27 Restaurant at Freehand Miami

Head over to Miami’s ultimate beach oasis for refreshing mocktails. While they aren’t exactly on the menu, you’ll have no problem finding an alcohol-free beverage of your dreams — just simply opt for a “bartender’s choice mocktail” at either of the bars on the property, and give a few reference points to what kind of flavor you’re craving like sweet with passionfruit or spicy with pineapple and leave the rest to them.

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Make your own at home with Redbull:

Eye Opener

Ingredients:

Red Bull Coconut
2 lime wedges lime
3-4 mint sprigs
Salt and sugar rim

Instructions:

First rim tall glass with salt and sugar mix
In the bottom of a tall glass drop mint leaves in the bottom and brush them a little with a muddler
Squeeze limes, add ice and fill with Red Bull Coconut. Garnish with mint spring