Are you taking part in Dry January?
If so, we are here to support you with some great ideas about what you can drink instead – so that you can enjoy some great tasting beverages, simply without the alcohol content.
Do you know someone taking part in Dry January and who deserves a gift? Perhaps, it's their birthday month and they are still taking part. Well, we have some great alcohol-free gift inspiration too.
Read on to learn a little more about what Dry January is, find some great non-alcoholic drink recommendations from our amazing UK producers, and some very special hampers.
What is ‘Dry January’?
Dry January is a month-long challenge to be alcohol free for a whole month.
Following the Christmas holiday celebrations, many take on Dry January as a ‘mini health kick’ after a little over indulgence during the festive season, or simply as a ‘challenge’ to themselves to see if they can give up alcohol for an extended period.
It can help to break the habit of drinking too often than is considered healthy or right for you too, and there are many reported health benefits.
Learn more about Dry January from charity, Alcohol Change >>>
Drink recommendations and gifts for those taking part in Dry January
Giving up alcohol during January (or at any time of year!) or simply choosing an alcohol-free drink, doesn’t mean you have to compromise on taste, quality or flavour. We work closely with many producers and we are loving the alcohol-free options that are now available.
Trying non-alcoholic spirits
Alcohol free gin
The quality of non-alcoholic spirits has come a long way in recent times, with some truly delightful drinks that will pair with your favourite mixers and you won’t even taste the difference ….well, you might actually…but we wager it will taste better than the alcoholic version.
We are pleased to partner with Lyre’s – a UK company leading the way when it comes to non-alcoholic spirits, with a growing collection that is really worth investigating.
One of our favourites is Lyre's London Dry Spirit found in our Alcohol Free Gin and Tonic Hamper.
In their own words, “This unique spirit has been crafted to capture the essence of a classic London gin, with flavours that are distinct and contemporary. Lyre's spirits don't just mimic, they have their own distinction as a premium, non-alcoholic beverage.”
The gin lover in your life (and you!) will adore the hints of juniper and citrus, as well as more subtle aromas of jasmine. It will also pair with their favourite tonic or mixer. Add ice and slice and enjoy all January long.
As you would expect, Lyre’s London Dry Spirit pairs delightfully with a natural Indian tonic water, and inside the Alcohol Free Gin & Tonic Hamper, you’ll find two of the finest examples from Franklin & Sons.
We’ve also included milk chocolate, gourmet popcorn and retro rhubarb & custard boiled sweets too.
Choosing alternatives to alcohol
As well as exploring non-alcohol versions of your usual alcoholic favourites, why not explore some new flavours, this Dry January, as well.
We adore the pressés created by the team at Belvoir Farm. One of their original products, and we think still one of their absolute best, is their Elderflower drinks. They offer a really sophisticated but delicate flavour – not too sweet like a traditional squash or fizzy drink, but refreshing and light. The whole range is 'naturally delicious' with still and sparkling drinks to choose from.
An alcohol free gift basket
If reading about Belvoir Farm’s offerings has tickled your taste buds or you know someone who adores that traditional Elderflower favour, you'll find a full bottle of Elderflower Presse in our Alcohol Free Gift Basket, featuring a great mix of savoury and sweet treats too.
Delightful hot drinks
Finally, we have to recommend the humble hot drink. If you are spending a few more of your evenings at home rather than out in the pubs and clubs, this winter, then there is nothing better than curling up on the sofa with a delicious and warming drink.
Rediscover your love of teas, freshly ground coffee and also hot chocolate with all of the trimmings.
Chocolate shots are great fun and such an easy way to make a steaming hot cocoa at home – simply warm the milk and stir in the shot. Not heard of them before? Check out our Gourmet Chocolate Lovers Hamper, featuring a GNAW Milk Chocolate Shot with Hazelnut and Marshmallows from UK-based GNAW, producing artisan handmade sustainable chocolate.
If you are more of a tea lover than a chocoholic, then we can recommend a great range of teas, from both Ace Tea London and New English Teas.
For the coffee lover and aspiring barista, we love the Breakfast Ground Coffee in the iconic golden bags from the Edinburgh Tea and Coffee Company. Plus, we just have to shout about our new supplier, New Ground Coffee , based locally to us in Oxfordshire.
Not only do they produce delicious coffee, they have a strong focus on sustainability and social responsibility – two values that run through everything they do – using ethically sourced high-grade coffee beans, from small farms around the world.
An alcohol free gift that gives a little back
As a local business, we are delighted to include Mug Shot Ground Coffee, by New Ground Coffee, in our very special charity hamper – The Aspire Charity Hamper. For every purchase of this gift hamper, we donate £5 to Aspire Oxfordshire.
Aspire are an award-winning employment charity who support individuals from a disadvantaged background to rebuild their lives through helping them into and towards employment and housing, aiming to break the cycle of homelessness, poverty and re-offending.
The hamper contains an array of delicious items, including crips, fudge, biscuits and chocolate, as well as Quintessentially English Tea, from Ace Tea London. Plus, you'll find handmade soap and candles too.
Trying something new this Dry January
We hope our alcohol-free drink ideas will inspire you this Dry January to try something a little different.
From alcoholic substitutes to very special soft drinks, there is always something new to explore.
Our passion, here at hampers.com, is to continually work with our producers, as well as discovering new suppliers, to offer the best quality and bring you an ever-changing and really diverse range. We love bringing you the best products for your gifting needs and for your own special treats.
Here’s to a prosperous and exciting 2023 full of delicious food and drink.
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