Dry January 2026: The Complete Guide to Smoked Mocktails and NA Cocktails
Dry January is a public health campaign encouraging people to abstain from alcohol for the month of January. What started as a 2013 initiative by Alcohol Change UK has grown into a mainstream wellness movement, with approximately 22% of American adults participating in 2025 according to Morning Consult research.
But going alcohol-free doesn't mean giving up sophisticated drinks. Smoked mocktails deliver the same theatrical presentation, complex flavors, and social experience as traditional cocktails—without the alcohol or the hangover.
Dry January by the Numbers: 2025-2026 Trends
The sober-curious movement has reached critical mass. Here's what the data shows:
- 22% of U.S. adults participated in Dry January 2025, up from 17% in prior years (Morning Consult)
- 70% go completely dry—no alcohol at all during the month—rather than just cutting back (Morning Consult)
- 65-69% cite health as their primary motivation, including better sleep, mental clarity, and fitness goals (CivicScience)
- $925 million in NA beverage sales in 2025, with 22% year-over-year growth (NielsenIQ)
- 50% of drinkers are at least somewhat curious about a sober lifestyle (CivicScience)
Millennials lead participation (19% in 2023), but the trend is broadening—Gen X saw the largest increase in 2025 (+7 percentage points).
Why Smoke Works for Mocktails
Much of what makes a cocktail satisfying isn't the alcohol—it's the aroma, complexity, and ritual. Smoke delivers all three.
When you smoke a mocktail, you're adding:
- Aromatic complexity: Wood smoke introduces hundreds of flavor compounds that engage your sense of smell before the first sip
- Visual drama: The billowing smoke creates an Instagram-worthy moment and signals "this is a special drink"
- Depth and warmth: Smoke adds the warming sensation and layered flavor profile typically associated with aged spirits
- Ritual satisfaction: The process of smoking—lighting the chips, watching the smoke fill the glass—creates the same ceremonial experience as mixing a cocktail
According to hospitality industry research, today's guests "demand something more complex, dynamic, flavor-forward" in their NA drinks—they "still want a full food and beverage experience." Smoke delivers exactly that.
3 Smoked Mocktail Recipes for Dry January
1. Smoked Virgin Mule
Difficulty: Beginner | Time: 3 minutes | Wood: Cherry
All the refreshing ginger-lime flavor of a Moscow Mule, with aromatic cherry wood smoke that adds complexity and visual drama.
Ingredients:
- 1 lime wedge + garnish
- Ginger beer (non-alcoholic), to fill
- Fresh mint leaves (optional garnish)
- Ice
Method:
- Muddle a lime wedge lightly in your copper mug
- Add ice on top
- Smoke the ice with cherry wood chips for 5-10 seconds using your SmokeTop®
- Remove the smoker and fill with ginger beer
- Stir gently and garnish with lime and mint
2. Smoked Citrus Sunrise
Difficulty: Beginner | Time: 4 minutes | Wood: Apple
A bright morning mocktail that layers orange juice and grenadine with aromatic apple wood smoke. Beautiful presentation meets sophisticated flavor.
Ingredients:
- 4 oz fresh orange juice
- 0.5 oz grenadine
- 2 oz sparkling water (optional)
- Orange slice and maraschino cherry for garnish
- Ice
Method:
- Fill a highball glass with ice
- Smoke the ice with apple wood chips for 5-10 seconds
- Pour in orange juice and optional sparkling water
- Slowly pour grenadine down the inside of the glass—it will sink to create the sunrise effect
- Garnish and serve without stirring
3. Smoked Spiced Pear
Difficulty: Intermediate | Time: 6 minutes | Wood: Pecan
A warm, sophisticated winter mocktail featuring pear nectar, warming spices, and pecan wood smoke. Perfect for cozy evenings.
Ingredients:
- 3 oz pear nectar or juice
- 0.5 oz honey ginger syrup
- 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
- Cinnamon stick, star anise, and pear slice for garnish
- Ice
Method:
- Add ice, pear nectar, honey ginger syrup, and lemon juice to a shaker
- Smoke the contents with pecan wood chips using your SmokeTop®
- Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds
- Strain into a coupe glass
- Garnish with pear slice, cinnamon stick, and star anise
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dry January?
Dry January is a public health campaign where participants abstain from alcohol for the entire month of January. It began in 2013 as an initiative by Alcohol Change UK and has since become a global wellness movement. In the United States, approximately 22% of adults participated in 2025.
How many people participate in Dry January?
According to Morning Consult polling, 22% of U.S. adults 21 and older participated in Dry January 2025, up from approximately 17% in previous years. The movement has been "fully embraced across all demographics," with the largest 2025 increases among Gen X (+7 points) and lower-income adults (+8 points).
What's the difference between "dry" and "damp" January?
"Dry January" means abstaining from alcohol completely for the month. "Damp January" refers to significantly reducing alcohol consumption without full abstinence. Morning Consult research shows 70% of Dry January participants go completely dry, while 30% take the damp approach.
Why do people do Dry January?
Health is the primary motivation. CivicScience research shows 65% cite health reasons (41% physical health, 24% mental health) as their main driver. Other reasons include saving money (17%), detoxing after the holidays (11%), and wanting to test themselves with a personal challenge.
Can you smoke non-alcoholic drinks?
Yes. Cocktail smoking works with any beverage. The smoke infuses flavor compounds into the ice and liquid regardless of alcohol content. Many bartenders and home mixologists use smoking to add complexity and visual appeal to mocktails, juices, teas, and other non-alcoholic drinks.
What does smoking add to a mocktail?
Smoking adds aromatic complexity (wood smoke introduces hundreds of flavor compounds), visual drama (billowing smoke creates a memorable presentation), and the warming depth typically associated with aged spirits. It also creates a ritual experience that makes the drink feel special.
What wood chips work best for mocktails?
The best wood depends on your flavor profile. Cherry and apple woods pair well with citrus and fruit-forward mocktails. Pecan and hickory complement warming, spiced drinks. Oak provides a subtle, versatile smoke that works with almost any mocktail recipe.
Is the non-alcoholic beverage market growing?
Yes, significantly. NielsenIQ reports U.S. NA beverage sales reached $925 million in 2025 with 22% year-over-year growth. The category is projected to exceed $1 billion by the end of 2025. Non-alcoholic beer dominates (86% of sales), but NA spirits are the fastest-growing segment (+94% in 2023).
Do NA drinks taste like regular cocktails?
Modern NA alternatives have improved dramatically. Premium NA spirits from brands like Seedlip, Ritual Zero Proof, and others use botanical distillation techniques to create complex flavor profiles. Combined with smoking, fresh ingredients, and proper technique, NA cocktails can deliver a sophisticated drinking experience comparable to traditional cocktails.
What are the benefits of doing Dry January?
Participants commonly report improved sleep quality, increased energy, better mental clarity, weight loss, and financial savings. Many also use Dry January as a "trial run" for longer-term moderation—71% of Dry January participants say they're curious to see what a longer alcohol-free life is like.
Ready to Elevate Your Dry January?
Smoked mocktails prove you don't need alcohol to have a premium cocktail experience. With the right technique and tools, you can create drinks that are just as impressive, just as flavorful, and just as satisfying as any traditional cocktail.
Sources
- Morning Consult. "Dry January Participation Mainstreams in 2025." January 2025. pro.morningconsult.com
- CivicScience. "More Americans Plan to Participate in Dry January." January 2026. civicscience.com
- NielsenIQ. "Non-Alcohol Is No Longer a Niche—It's a Billion-Dollar Movement." 2025. nielseniq.com
- CoStar/Hotel Management. "Mocktails, Non-Alcoholic Drinks Can Elevate Experiences." 2024. costar.com
- Fox Business. "Wine, Spirits, Non-Alcoholic Beer Sales Surging in U.S." 2024. foxbusiness.com