Mocktails in Charlottesville for Dry January
Charlottesville is a town where it’s easy to imbibe. There are a ton of breweries, wineries and distilleries to choose from and I won’t lie - sometimes I enjoy a fun afternoon of getting a little in the cups over a glass of wine with my favorite people (and puppy) at my winery of choice.
The holiday season is also something that makes it super easy to indulge in things like wine, beer and cocktails - it seems like I’m constantly heading out to a happy hour or a cocktail party. By the end of December, I always feel like my alcohol consumption has gone through the roof. As a way to reset after all of the festivities, my husband and I like to take part in Dry January, where we abstain from alcohol for 30 days (we start right after the New Year).
Mocktails in Charlottesville for Dry January
Why Try Dry January?
Are you ready to stop drinking for the month? According to the National Institute on Alcohol, Dry January and Sober October have been seeing an increase in popularity. It’s more than just wanting to hit reset after a busy drinking season; there are a lot of folks who want to see how going booze free can improve things like their quality of sleep or overall mood. My husband swears he always feels more energized after participating in Dry January.
For me, Dry January is a way to help reboot my immune system so I can start my new year off the right way - energized and ready to tackle my resolutions. The end of a successful Dry January this year will mean not needing to hit reset again because my overall approach to drinking alcohol will have improved long term. That means always listening to what’s best for myself and enjoying alcohol in a better way.
How To Do Dry January
With all that being said, that doesn’t mean it is the easiest thing to do, especially if you’ve gotten used to the ritual of having a drink when you go out! Here are my tips for how to do Dry January:
Make it Fun
In order to keep Dry January from feeling like a chore, you have to find ways to make it fun - which is what mocktails are perfect for! Ask for a dealer’s choice mocktail when out to dinner or come up with your own fun recipes at home where you can experiment with different flavors. I personally like to keep it simple, with club soda, lime and jalapenos in a fun glass.Think Reset, Not Deprivation
Generally speaking, I don’t like the idea of depriving myself of things I enjoy because I think it can lead to overindulgence in the long run. That’s why I like to think of fun options like mocktails.Consider the Health Benefits
There are a number of health benefits to taking a break from drinking; according to an article by The Washington Post, the health benefits of Dry January go beyond just the month itself. For instance, I am super bad at drinking water (although I’m trying to get better!) and so I am often dehydrated, which alcohol only makes worse. I already knew this was a side effect, but I had no idea that actually impacts your blood pressure!Replace the Ritual
If you are someone who likes the ritual of alcohol (like happy hours with friends or a nightcap while watching a show), find something you’ll look forward to and replace it with that. Try a mocktail happy hour, subbing in a physical activity like yoga or barre, or tea.Set Goals Outside of Alcohol
Rather than focusing on the fact you are not drinking all month, focus on things you want to do for January. Have you been contemplating perfecting TikTok dances or learning how to cook? Do you want to start hiking more? Take advantage of this month!
Best Places for Mocktails in Charlottesville
I’m feeling excited about doing Dry January to start off 2023 because - in addition to taking a different approach- there are so many more options available now when you are cutting out alcohol! I love how many places have added mocktails to their repertoire so those not drinking have options beyond coffee, tea, water or soda. Here are some of my favorite places in Charlottesville to find mocktails:
Ivy Inn
Ivy Inn, the beautiful fine dining spot located on Old Ivy Road near the University of Virginia, often has a couple mocktail offerings on their menu. Currently they have First Date, a refreshing cucumber and habanero honey concoction and Figs on Fire featuring figs and fire tincture.
Kardinal Hall
Let’s hop on over to Kardinal Hall. While this beer hall obviously has a lot on tap it’s not all alcoholic. They are able to make some of their cocktails non alcoholic upon request and they also have non alcoholic beer options. Pair what you get with a pretzel or nachos and you’ll be golden.
Maya
The great thing about Maya is they offer several mocktails, meaning you can usually find one to fit your taste if you are on the pickier side. I like the Fleur de Nie with elderberry syrup, lime and soda. It’s also a lovely spot for a date night.
Milkman’s Bar
The MIlkman’s Bar is an inventive cocktail spot located in the Dairy Market. I like them because they are always featuring drinks beyond the ordinary. It’s no surprise they add the same creative flair to their mocktails. Plus, their location is great for people watching and there are a ton of options nearby should you get hungry (or you can eat there - they share a kitchen with South & Central and offer a limited version of the restaurant’s menu!).
Mockingbird
When Junction, a Southwestern style restaurant in the heart of the Belmont neighborhood, closed during the pandemic it was a sad day. However, out of that sad loss a great gain to Charlottesville was born. Four of their employees banded together to created Mockingbird, which features Southern cuisine like Fried Green Tomatoes, Shrimp & Grits and Fried Okra.
This is also a great spot for Dry January. In addition to having a few non alcoholic cocktails on their bar menu, they also offer a selection of NA beers and sodas. The coolest news is they will be adding their own house made non alcoholic rum to their menu in 2023 - I cannot wait to try it!
Public Fish and Oyster
If you are looking for shellfish in Charlottesville, Public Fish and oyster is the spot. They have a great drink menu to match and I will typically go for the Bloody Mary when I’m there; however, they also feature several mocktails using Seedlip, which is a non alcoholic mixer you’ve probably seen on your Instagram feed. My personal favorite is the cutely named Moscow Fool, made with Seedlip Spice 94 N/A spirit, ginger beer and lime.
Selvedge Brewing
Selvedge at The Wool Factory always has a couple seasonal mocktails on the menu. I love this as an option even outside of Dry January when I want something other than water but am not in a beer mood. Sometimes they are spicy, sometimes sweet, sometimes sour - but always delicious.
Added bonus…the smash burger and chicken wings here are some of the best in town.
Siren
I was so happy when Siren opened because it meant we were getting another great seafood spot in Charlottesville. From tuna tartare to monkfish, chef Laura Fonner creates beautiful and fresh dishes. Plus…they have several refreshing mocktails to make you feel like you are near the beach instead of in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Three Notch’d
In addition to mocktails, Three Notch’d Brewery has been active in the non alcoholic beer department. I was so happy when I started seeing their NA beers appear, especially the Salted Lime Gose. This is not just a Dry January option for me - I buy this at Wegman’s and keep it at home for when I want a beer with dinner. The fact they just launched the Uncool label featuring non alcoholic brews to have on tap and to go? Amazing. This will be a game changer for anyone looking to cut back on alcohol intake throughout the year.
Plus they have a heated dog friendly patio! It’s honestly going to be one of my favorite spots this winter.
Tonic
Rounding out the list of spots for mocktails is Tonic. Their focus is always on using local and seasonal ingredients in fun new ways, so it’s no surprise their mocktail options reflect this mindset. From the Tiger Lily featuring orchata orgeat to The Cardinal with its winter spiced pomegranate syrup, you never feel like you are sacrificing anything while going without alcohol.
They also just tented their already fantastic patio space - I’m so excited to take my dog Ollie there for a mocktail!
These are just a few of the spots in Cville where you can find some great non alcoholic options. However, most places are willing to make you a mocktail if you request it, even if you don’t see them on the menu. Chances are, if they have a bar they can make you something special so don’t shy away from asking!
I hope you enjoy and until next time - cheers and happy non drinking!