Try “Dry January”? Here’s why non-alcoholic cocktails are so popular and where to find them in Dallas.

DALLAS. Officially “Dry January”. And if you are among those who take a break from alcohol, you can still drink.

Non-alcoholic cocktails are all the rage right now, and we’re not just talking about watered-down Bloody Marys.

More and more bars are stocking zero-strength non-alcoholic spirits on their shelves.

Dallas’ BarNone offers non-alcoholic cocktails with tequila, vodka, gin, scotch and bourbon “equivalents”.

“You won’t get a sharp burning sensation and you won’t feel like you’re drinking water,” owner Todd Dickerson said.

According to Dickerson, about 10% of his bar sales come from non-alcoholic cocktails.

“That was never part of the plan,” he said.

“But… when you see something becoming a trend and more guests asking for it, it would be foolish not to follow the trend.”

And it’s definitely a trend. Between August 2021 and 2022, total soft drink sales in US dollars totaled $395 million nationwide, according to Nielsen IQ. This is an annualized growth of more than 20%.

Dickerson said non-alcoholic smoothies are a great option for non-drinkers or people who are trying to cut down on consumption but still want to fit in with people who drink.

“They don’t have to order something and say, ‘Hey, can I have this or this,’ because then they are not part of the group. This is the guy who doesn’t drink,” Dickerson said.

And not only he sees the benefits.

“I love non-alcoholic shakes,” says Jerry Lawrence, director of nursing at Gallus Medical Detox.

“When someone drinks, their blood pressure rises, their heart rate increases,” she said.

That’s not to mention digestive problems, esophageal problems, and many other short-term and long-term complications that result from heavy drinking, she says.

Gallus Clinical Director Sarah Keillor said the popularity of non-alcoholic cocktails is helping people trying to stay sober. Because they blend in with those around them, people often force them to drink less, she says.

“And it’s not, ‘Well, why aren’t you drinking?'” she said.

Thus, many people drink to boost self-confidence or relax their nerves, they added. Cutting down on alcohol consumption is likely to help you develop better coping mechanisms, they say.

If you or someone you know has a prescription drug addiction, you can call Gallus at 866-530-0691 for immediate help.