Non-Alcoholic Drinks for Dry January 2022

The Dry January campaign, led by the UK charity Alcohol Change (formerly Alcohol Concern), began in 2013. Around 4,000 people took part. The campaign has gained momentum over the years, with an estimated 120,000 people choosing to abstain from alcohol in January 2021.

So, if you’re among the thousands of Brits who’ve committed to Dry January 2022, why not have a peep at a few ideas for tasty, alcohol-free drinks, brought to you by the Aqua Libra Co team. Each recipe will make four large portions.

Mulled fruit juice 

As the Roman Empire expanded in the first couple of centuries BC, other European countries were introduced to the warm, spiced, sweetened wine that the Romans brought with them. Over the past 2,000 years or so, there have been many different names for the multitude of variations on this popular winter drink. However, it wasn’t until early in the 17^th century that the term “mulled” crept into the English language (in the context of warm, spiced wine, cider, or beer), although its origins are unclear.

Mulled apple juice (suggested by Bianka)

Ingredients:

• 1 litre apple juice
• 250ml pure water
• A few strips of orange peel, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick*
• Honey to taste

*A cinnamon stick is a strip of the inner bark taken from one of several species in the genus Cinnamomum – in particular, C. cassia and C. verum. Cinnamon is a rich source of calcium, iron, and vitamin K.

Method:

• Put the apple juice, water, orange peel, cloves, and cinnamon stick into a saucepan. Bring to the boil and simmer over a low heat for about 15 minutes.
• Add some honey.
• Strain and serve warm.

Mulled pomegranate juice (suggested by Simona)

Ingredients:

• 1 litre pomegranate juice
• 300ml pure water
• 1 sprig rosemary
• 5g sumac**
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2g coriander seeds
• ½ orange, sliced
• 25ml orange blossom water

** Sumac is a crimson-coloured spice made from the dried, ground fruits of plants in the Anacardiaceae (cashew) family – particularly those in the genus Rhus. Dietary sumac has been shown to decrease blood pressure.

Method:

• Put the pomegranate juice, water, rosemary, sumac, cinnamon stick, coriander seeds, and orange slices into a Bring to the boil and simmer over a low heat for 10-15 minutes.

• Stir in the orange blossom water and serve warm.

Mulled apple and cranberry juice (suggested by Chris)

Ingredients:

• 500ml cloudy apple juice
• 250ml cranberry juice
• 250g pure water
• 15g peeled and chopped root ginger***
• 8 whole cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 orange, sliced
• 50g light brown sugar

*** Probably the best-known natural remedy for nausea, ginger (Zingiber officinale) relieves hypertension, regulates blood sugar levels, boosts the immune system, and eases digestion. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Method:

• Put all the ingredients into a saucepan. Bring to the boil and simmer over low heat for 15
• Strain and serve.

 Fruit punch

Non-alcoholic punch, or “mocktail”, is a delicious way to stay hydrated. Discover the fruity combination that you love best, and you’ll find yourself refilling your cup (and body) time and time again with all-important water and the natural goodness of fruit.

Blood orange and cranberry punch (suggested by Craig)

Ingredients:

• 500ml sparkling water
• 500ml blood orange juice****
• 100ml cranberry juice
• 100g cranberries
• Enough pure water to cover the cranberries
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 orange, cut into thin wedges
• 1 lime, cut into thin wedges

**** First seen in the 18^th century, the vitamin C-rich blood orange is a mutation of the sweet orange. Most fruits of the genus Citrus are interfertile, giving rise to many hybrid species. The sweet orange itself is a hybrid of Citrus maxima (pomelo) and Citrus reticulata (mandarin).

Method:

• Put the cranberries into a flat-bottomed container, cover them with water, and freez.
• Combine cranberry, blood orange, and lime juices. 
• Break up the sheet of frozen cranberries.
• To serve, pour the mixed fruit juice over wedges of lime and orange and shards of frozen Top up with sparkling water.

Pineapple and mango punch (suggested by Nadya)

Ingredients:

• 500ml pineapple juice
• 500ml mango juice
• 500ml filtered water *****
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 mango, chopped
• A few strawberries
• A few sprigs of mint
• Ice cubes

***** Water is an inorganic compound that’s vital for every function of the human body. In cold weather, however, the thirst reflex can be suppressed, so it’s important to ensure adequate fluid intake during the winter months.

Method:

• Combine the fruit juices, water, orange, and Chill.
• Serve with ice cubes and strawberries, and garnish with mint.

Sweet banana punch (suggested by Steve)

Ingredients:

• 1 litre sparkling water
• 6 ripe bananas******
• Juice of 2 lemons
• 150g sugar
• 4 scoops of vanilla ice cream

Method:

• Combine bananas, lemon juice, and blend until smooth and chill.
• Stir in sparkling wzter.
• To serve, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

****** Bananas are the berries of the world’s largest herbaceous flowering plants. Cultivated banana plants (Musa x paradisiaca), which grow to a height of approximately 5 metres, are typically a hybrid of two wild species: Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana.

Dry January with Aqua Libra Co

Last year, in our Dry January 2021 blog, we looked at that old British favourite, Bovril, and explored the sparkling possibilities of chilled tea.

If you’re abstaining from alcohol this January, we’d love to hear your story,