Dry January—where folks take the first month of the year off from drinking alcohol—is no longer a new trend. In fact, cutting out (or cutting back on) beer, wine, and spirits is an increasingly popular way to welcome the new year. Happily, Minnesota breweries, restaurants, and beverage companies have hopped on the wagon, offering a selection of tasty, nonalcoholic drinks that are so good, you won’t even miss the booze. Here are a few of our favorite local spots for NA beers, wines, mocktails, and more.
Ursa Minor Brewing
One of Duluth’s favorite gathering spots, Ursa Minor always offers a selection of nonalcoholic drinks, including Upside Down Golden Ale and Run Wild IPA from industry darling Athletic Brewing Co., plus rotating picks from Uffda Kombucha, made right over the border in Superior, Wisconsin.
St. Paul Grill
The iconic St. Paul Grill is offering an entire zero-proof menu this January, including handcrafted mocktails like the Golden Sap Fizz (with maple ginger shrub, pineapple, lemon, and soda) and the Bitter Garden (with basil shrub, orange bitters, lime, and fresh basil). You’ll also find zero-proof wines and beers from popular makers like Athletic Brewing Co., Pierre Chavin, and Kylie Minogue.
Courtesy of the St. Paul Grill
Marigold
We’ve covered Minnesota’s first nonalcoholic bottle shop before, but it deserves another mention. Marigold is dedicated to NA wine, spirit alternatives, ready-to-drink cocktails, tons of mixers, and more. Its Minneapolis and St. Paul locations are open year-round, or you can order online.
Photo by Christine Armbruster
Dry Wit
If you’re looking for a nonalcoholic wine alternative, check out Dry Wit, a Minneapolis purveyor of botanical and juice blends that are sold at shops statewide. Pippi is a light, acidic, and effervescent; Salinger is complex and “sassy;” and Bruce is red and peppery.
Copper Trail Brewing Co.
The Nautical Märzen from Alexandria’s Copper Trail Brewing is a bold, Oktoberfest-style nonalcoholic brew. Guests can also choose from a fun mocktail menu, including seasonal favorites like the Prickly Pear No-Jito and the Huckleberry Cherry Limeade.
Earl Giles
Check out the Nonalcoholic Happier Hours at Earl Giles Restaurant and Distillery in Minneapolis, where guests can attend a 20-minute educational program about the latest in NA drinks and then enjoy food and beverages, from pizzas and sandwiches to mocktails like the Gemma Seventy-Five (with lemon elixir, sparkling wine extract, and yuzu) and the Logan Park Swizzle (with rhubarb, strawberry, and watermelon). Earl Giles also offers a year-round selection of NA elixirs, tonics, and housemade syrups in the distillery shop. Nonalcoholic Happier Hours are Jan. 15, 22, and 29 at 5 p.m.; educational sessions start at 6 p.m.
Courtesy of Earl Giles Restaurant & Distillery
Lupulin Brewing
In Big Lake, Lupulin Brewing’s lineup includes irreverent lagers and THC-infused drinks—plus a rotation of limited-release, nonalcoholic hop waters. A recent inclusion is Mixed Berry, a refreshing sparkling water made with real hops and fruit terpenes.
Courtesy of Lupulin Brewing
Urban Growler
This beloved St. Paul brewery is known for its community-centered mission and delicious beers, but its Urban Glow line of mocktails, like the Pineapple Upside Down Cake or the Grilled Peach No Fashioned, takes the Dry January cake. Non-imbibers can also find nitro cold brew coffee, kombucha, iced tea, and lemonades on the menu.
Breva Bar & Grill
On the mocktail menu this winter at Minneapolis’ Breva Bar & Grill (and at its sister location, Bar Edera, inside the Hotel Ivy) are two delicious mocktails: the Yuzu Tonic (featuring, yes, yuzu and tonic) and On the Wagon, which features fresh lime, spiced Seedlip Garden nonalcoholic spirits, and ginger beer.
Lady Superior
The North Shore’s first nonalcoholic bottle shop is a popular Grand Marais stop for zero-proof canned mocktails, wine and beer alternatives, and mixers (plus CBD- and THC-infused drinks). The picturesque shop carries popular brands like Athletic Brewing Co., Ritual, ISH, Pathfiner, and others.
Courtesy of Lady Superior
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