The county’s Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) stores have discounts on non-alcoholic beverages for Dry January.
In January, many people choose to avoid alcohol or drink mindfully for the whole month. Some do this as part of their New Year’s resolution to lose weight, sleep better, manage stress, or adopt healthier habits.
“Now is a natural time to take stock and make a plan for the year ahead, which may include sober curiosity or challenges like Dry January,” County Executive Marc Elrich said in a press release. “I’m glad to see ABS offering 23 non-alcoholic products in its stores for those who prefer a different type of ‘adult’ beverage. ABS even has the just-released Mionetto zero-proof sparkling wine that has caught the attention of prosecco enthusiasts.”
Consumers are increasingly seeking alcohol-free alternatives to traditional cocktails, leading to a rise in the popularity of mocktails: non-alcoholic beverages designed to mimic the presentation and complexity of craft cocktails.
“There are now so many flavorful options among craft mocktails, these elevated beverages have become their own movement,” said ABS director Kathie Durbin. “There are many great choices if you want something healthier or more inclusive than traditional cocktails.”
ABS stores will offer tastings of alcohol-free products and share mocktail recipes on social media.
Montgomery County Liquor & Wine and Oak Barrel & Vine retail stores currently stock a variety of products with less than 0.5 percent alcohol, including:
Non-Alcoholic Beer:
- Beck’s Non-Alcoholic
- Buckler Non-Alcoholic
- Corona Non-Alcoholic
- Gosling’s Ginger Beer Non-Alcoholic
- Heineken 0.0 Non-Alcoholic
- O’Doul’s Non-Alcoholic
- O’Doul’s Amber Non-Alcoholic
Non-Alcoholic Wine:
- Ariel Cabernet Sauvignon Non-Alcoholic
- Ariel Chardonnay Non-Alcoholic
- Freixenet Alcohol-Removed Premium Sparkling White
- Freixenet Alcohol-Removed Premium Sparkling Rosé
- Mionetto Alcohol-Removed Sparkling Wine
- Stella Rosa Red Non-Alcoholic
- Stella Rosa Peach Non-Alcoholic
- Stella Rosa Rosé Non-Alcoholic
- Stella Rosa Black Non-Alcoholic
- Sutter Home Fre Alcohol-Removed Cabernet Sauvignon
- Sutter Home Fre Alcohol-Removed Chardonnay
Non-Alcoholic Spirits:
- CleanCo Clean V Apple Non-Alcoholic Vodka Alternative
- CleanCo Clean W Non-Alcoholic Whiskey Alternative
- CleanCo Clean T Non-Alcoholic Tequila Alternative
- CleanCo Clean G Non-Alcoholic Gin Alternative
- CleanCo Clean R Non-Alcoholic Spiced Rum Alternative
To find out which products are available at ABS retail stores, customers can use the Product Search Portal on the department’s website.
Customers can also try alcohol-free products at these scheduled tastings throughout the county during Dry January:
- Friday, Jan. 12, 4-7 p.m., CleanCo, Darnestown
- Friday, Jan. 12, 4-7 p.m., Mionetto, Aspen Hill
- Friday, Jan. 12, 4-7 p.m., Mionetto, Hampden Lane
- Saturday, Jan. 13, 1-4 p.m., CleanCo, Kingsview
- Saturday, Jan. 13, 1-4 p.m., Sutter Home Fre, Kensington
- Friday, Jan. 19, 1-4 p.m., Mionetto, Seneca Meadows
- Friday, Jan. 19, 4-7 p.m., CleanCo, Gaithersburg Square
- Friday, Jan. 19, 4-7 p.m., CleanCo, Downtown Rockville
- Friday, Jan. 19, 4-7 p.m., CleanCo, Aspen Hill
- Friday, Jan. 19, 4-7 p.m., Mionetto, Muddy Branch
- Saturday, Jan. 20, 1-4 p.m., CleanCo, Seneca Meadows
- Saturday, Jan. 20, 1-4 p.m., Mionetto, Cabin John
- Saturday, Jan. 20, 1-4 p.m. Mionetto, Gaithersburg Square
- Saturday, Jan. 20, 4-7 p.m., CleanCo, Muddy Branch
- Saturday, Jan. 20, 4-7 p.m., Sutter Home Fre, Potomac
- Friday, Jan. 26, 4-7 p.m., Mionetto, Darnestown
- Friday, Jan. 27, 1-4 p.m. Mionetto, Potomac
- Saturday, Jan. 27, 4-7 p.m., Mionetto, Montrose
- Saturday, Jan. 27, 1-4 p.m., Sutter Home Fre, Cabin John
- Saturday, Jan. 27, 1-4 p.m., Sutter Home Fre, Montrose
- Saturday, Jan. 27, 2-5 p.m., CleanCo, Hampden Lane
The ABS website has a complete list of tasting events.
Photo: “Mocktails” by Club Soda Guide is licensed under CC BY 2.0.