Dry January vs. Damp January and where to find zero-proof cocktails in metro Atlanta

Damp January vs. Dry January

We all know what Dry January means. It is when you give up drinking alcohol for an entire month. Now, there's Damp January. During Damp January, you reduce your alcohol consumption for the month instead of giving it up entirely.

ATLANTA - You are probably familiar with the term "Dry January." It's when people commit to avoiding alcohol for the entire month on January.

But there’s a new trend making waves: "Damp January." This approach involves reducing alcohol consumption rather than cutting it out entirely, offering a more achievable goal for those hesitant to go completely dry.

Experts note that even small changes can lead to noticeable benefits. Research suggests participants in Dry January often experience better sleep, increased energy, and improvements in their sense of smell and taste after just one alcohol-free month. Impressively, some benefits can last up to six months.

Social media has embraced the "damp lifestyle," with one woman going viral for sharing her tips on moderation. Her advice includes:

Skipping shots or hard alcohol
Limiting drinking to weekends
Counting your drinks to stay in control
Incorporating "Cinderella nights," where alcohol is cut off after midnight

@hana.elson We talk about entering new seasons of life but what ab learning from previous ones!!!! Yay for a Jan reset #damplifestyle #dampjanuary #dryjan #2025goals #greenscreen ♬ original sound - Hana

Whether you choose to go dry or damp, experts agree that any reduction in alcohol can have a positive impact on your health and well-being.

For the residents of metro Atlanta looking for a little help in eliminating their alcohol intake, you may want to put these places on your list of safe places to drink.

Restaurants with Zero-Proof Cocktails

Aria

Lemon Zinger: muddled lemon, honey, ginger, bitters
Gully Washer: non-alcoholic gin, shizo, lime, yuzu

Cooks & Soldiers

El Cariño: strawberry, basil syrup, lemon, ginger beer
N/A Red Sangria: n/a red wine, grapefruit, orange, cranberry, lime, simple

Double Zero

Orange is the New Black: ginger, orange, lemon, soda
Mele e Pele: apple cider, pear, lemon, soda
Cherry Bomba: pineapple, lemon, luxardo syrup, cinnamon, soda

Orange is the New Black at Double Zero

Ecco Buckhead

Limoncello Spritz: Pallini NA, limoncello, limonata
Tiki #2: N/A FGR rum, honey, ginger, orgeat
Royal Garden: NA Wilfred’s, blackberry, orgeat

ELA

Sleight of Hand: Ish London botanical, pea powder, rose, lime, tonic

Little Sparrow

Rose-Colored Glasses: fizzy and fresh, morello cherry effervescence
Triple Crown: bold and nostalgic, ginger-forward highball
No Regrets: peaty and complex, reminiscent of a fine Speyside malt

Lure

Velvet Glove: blackberry vermouth, orgeat, lemon
Yuzu Margarita: Seedlip 94, yuzu, agave
Orange Soñando: house-made N/A rum, orange

Marcus Bar & Grille

Flavored Lemonade: blackberry, peach, strawberry, or lychee
Gladys: strawberry, pineapple, citrus, soda
Butterfly in the Sky: butterfly pea flower tea, lemon, orgeat

Marlow’s Tavern

Strawberry Jalapeño Mockingrita: Lyre's Agave Blanco Spirit, Lyre’s Orange Sec, sour, agave, lime
Berry & Mint Cooler: blueberries, blackberries, mint, demerara
Blood Orange & Ginger: blood orange, Fever Tree ginger beer
Phony Negroni: St. Agrestis, Big Rock, expressed orange

Nàdair

Holly Spritz: Wilderton Aperitif, elderflower hibiscus grenadine, Eins Zwei sparkling soda
Dr. Buchanon’s Cure All: Earl Grey tea, Lyle’s golden syrup, ginger, orange
Portland & Casoni: Wilderton Earthen Spirit, Giffard aperitif, Lyre Rosso

NO. 246

Elder Lemon: elderflower syrup, lemonade, soda
Hibiscus Hideaway: pineapple cordial, lime, hibiscus ginger beer
Grapefruit Sparkler: sparkling grapefruit soda, rosemary syrup
Naloma: lime juice, simple syrup, sparkling grapefruit soda

Ray’s Restaurants

Cottage Country: Lyre's agave, blueberries, basil, lime
Guilty Pleasure: Lyre's dark cane spirit, espresso, vanilla

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Photo by Brandon Amato

St. Cecilia

La Boheme: almond, lavender, lemon, pineapple
Tsarina’s Slippers: pomegranate, vanilla, anise
Garden Girl: elderflower, rosemary, lemon, grapefruit

Sugo

Island Export: ginger beer, pineapple, orange, coconut
Cucumber Spritz: cucumber, lime, salt, pepper, soda
For Your Health: Earl Grey tea, blackberry syrup, lemon

Superica

Ginger No-Jito: Lyre’s White Cane Spirit, spicy ginger syrup, mint, lime
All Flower, No Power: N/A hibiscus margarita
Matador, No Bull: Lyre’s Agave Spirit, pineapple juice, lime, cilantro, jalapeño

The Iberian Pig Buckhead

Blue Skies: blue pea flower, ginger, tonic, lemon
Laranjada: lemon, orange, cream of coconut

The Iberian Pig Decatur

Two-Tone Tips: cherry, white pepper, apple shrub, lemon, soda
Hand-Spun Sunshine: pineapple, lime, tarragon, orgeat, saline

Your 3rd Spot

Rosemary Blueberry Smash: lemon juice, honey syrup, blueberry syrup, soda water

Photo by Brandon Amato

Additionally, Aveline at The Kimpton Shane Hotel is hosting a zero-proof cocktail series every Friday in January from 7 to 9 p.m. Each event features live entertainment and drinks inspired by themed decades: