Local bartender shares mocktail recipes for Dry January

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – A local bartender demonstrated how to make festive mocktails at home as more people participate in Dry January, the monthlong challenge to abstain from alcohol.

Nate Fabian of Spirits and Solutions showed how to prepare mock-aritas and alcohol-free hot toddies at the WECT studio. He said the key to good mocktails is using fresh ingredients and avoiding artificial syrups.

“The key thing with your mock-aritas is using fresh-squeezed juice and your homemade sour mix,” Fabian said. “I suggest with sweeteners, stay away from refined white sugar.”

Fabian recommended using honey, agave syrup, brown sugar or sugar in the raw for sweeteners. He said to use lemon juice, oranges and limes as the base for sour mix.

He suggested making large batches for parties and freezing leftover sour mix in ice cube trays for future use.

For glass rims, Fabian demonstrated three options: coarse kosher salt with crushed red pepper and chili pepper for spicy drinks, plain flake salt with fresh-cracked black pepper, or brown coconut sugar mixed with cinnamon for sweeter tastes.

His preferred sour mix recipe uses equal parts lime juice and agave syrup. He said nonalcoholic tequila can be added if available.

For colder weather, Fabian demonstrated a “not toddy” using honey or agave syrup as sweeteners, lemon peel or fresh lemon juice, and tea instead of hot water.

He recommended adding spices like cinnamon sticks, green cardamom, star anise and allspice berries. Fabian suggested setting up stations where guests can customize their drinks with different spice combinations.

Fabian said Dry January started in Finland in the 1940s as part of the war effort, gained popularity in the U.K. in 2013, and became an international challenge.

“People are trying to, for whatever reason, they’re abstaining from alcohol. Whether that’s a little bit of a health boost, getting over the holidays, save some money, or you’re just up for a challenge,” he said.

He said the challenge is continuing social activities while avoiding alcohol and asking bartenders for mocktail options.

Fabian noted that many places in Wilmington now offer mocktails, allowing people to maintain their social lives during Dry January.