Dry January recs from Dr. Bingham
Happy January!
2026 is here and with it comes chance to hit the reset button and make some positive changes. Whether you love the start of the year and you can't wait to get cracking on those resolutions or if you think resolutions as a waste of time, the new year is great time to move that dial towards improving your station in life. These changes can take many forms, but health related resolutions are some of the most common. With recent research showing the harmful effects of even moderate alcohol consumption Dry January has become on of the most common health related resolutions.
According to Drive Research, 33% of Americans participated in Dry January in 2025 with 72% being successful.
Personally I attempted my first Dry January when I lived in Portland over 20 years ago. typically I would make it a couple weeks before the temptation of the Northwest craft beers got the best of me, or maybe it was the 9 months of rain that got to me. Recently I completely I stopped drinking for 6 months and then again for a month. A friend recently asked me why I was able to abstain for so much longer than I had in the past. Initially I was sure, but I think that it because the alternatives are so much better and more plentiful. What I learned about myself was that the ritual of the drink was just as important as the drink. For me the drink was a signal to myself that I was "off duty" and it was time to relax. I will not argue that alcohol is more effective at creating that relaxation, but I was surprised by how much having an NA drink allowed me to take that deep breath and relax.
I started my NA journey with NA beer. I found that the lighter NA beers did a pretty good job at mimicking their alcohol containing counterparts, but finding a NA craft beer was not as easy. Currently Athletic Brewing is one fo the most popular names in the NA craft beer space, but I found others that I preferred and I wrote a blog article about it.
I didn't have much interest in NA cocktails because to be honest I didn't think they could make something that would even come close to the real thing. What I found is a number of companies that were making NA cocktails that were not trying to be something they weren't and instead created a new drink all together.
Here are some of my favorite NA cocktails, which are available at Orangily at 54th and the Monon. I consume all of these on the rocks, but each company has mixed cocktail recipes on its website.
1. Kava Haven
I wanted to start with Kava Haven because it is one of my favorites, but it is an acquired taste. Personal I wouldn't recommend starting your NA cocktail journey with Kava Haven because of how unique it is. First is has a milky texture and causes a numbing sensation in the mouth which I can only compare to the sore throat spray Chloraseptic. Sounds delicious right? The numbing sensation in the mouth is cause by the local anesthetic properties of Kava.
So what is Kava anyway? Kava is a traditional beverage made from the root of the Piper methysticum plant, has been consumed for centuries in the Pacific Islands for its relaxing and anti-anxiety properties similar to medications like benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Valium, or Ativan. Many people started using Kava in the 90's as a natural way to treat anxiety because it is non addictive, but there are health concerns that need to be understood.
Side effects
The most concerning side effect of Kava it it's potential ability to damage the liver, ironic that it is a NA alternative to alcohol that is notoriously bad for the liver. For more information check out "Is Kava a good substitute for Dry January" from the University of Colorado Medical department and UCLA's Ask the Doctor regarding safety and efficacy of Kava.
2. Dromme - Awake
I credit Dromme for getting me hooked on NA cocktails. I was in Orangily and they were sampling Dromme and I am glad they were because I don't think I would've taken the chance on it without trying it first. As I mentioned earlier, what I really liked about Dromme is that it is not trying to be a traditional cocktail, instead it is it's own things all together and is hard to classify.
The company that makes Dromme does a great job explaining what Dromme is :
Dromme is a non-alcoholic functional spirit offering a stimulating, fruity, and spicy flavor profile from pomegranate, hibiscus, and Szechuan pepper, designed to energize with adaptogens and nootropics like Schisandra and Lion's Mane, providing a sophisticated alternative to alcohol with a tingling, vibrant finish. It's a zero-proof elixir that's layered, refreshing, and often described as having a spicy kick, perfect for mocktails or served over ice.
Dromme Awake is designed to give you a little pep without caffeine, but it does have vitamin B12 which can increase your energy. If sleep is an issue for you, you want want to consider Dromme Calm. Personally I much prefer the flavor of Awake which is more savory than than the sweeter Calm, but it is personal preference.
The other nice thing about Dromme is that you actually feel like you're doing something healthy for your body when you consume it due to all the healthy ingredients.
3. The Pathfinder
First, The Pathfinder gets major style points for this apothecary style bottle that deserves to be prominently displayed.
Of the three NA cocktails mentioned in this post this is the one that tastes to closest to a traditional cocktail and reminds me of a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned.
Once again it is best to leave the flavor description to the professionals:
The Pathfinder is a complex, non-alcoholic spirit made from fermented hemp, boasting earthy, bittersweet, and herbal notes, similar in character to an amaro or bitter Italian aperitif, with botanicals like wormwood, juniper, and Douglas fir, making it a versatile base for cocktails like a spritz or non-alcoholic Old Fashioned. It's described as robust, with hints of citrus, spice, and dried herbs, offering depth for both zero-proof and traditional drinks, often served neat, on the rocks, or mixed with tonic/soda. 
The Pathfinder does have wormwood, which does have some purported benefits but is also not without some associated risks. Check out safety and efficacy of wormwood on healthline.com.
Dr. Bryan Bingham, Compass Chiropractic