Dry January, Straight Up with a Seattle Twist

For Kirstin Vracko and her husband, who have been sober since May 2023, Dry January is more than a trend — it’s a celebration of the lifestyle they’ve embraced. It means more time for the things they love, like concerts and parties, without worrying about how they’ll get home. 

Vracko is the co-owner of Cheeky & Dry, Seattle’s first NA bottle shop. For her, going alcohol-free is more blessing than challenge.

“It’s not about what you’re giving up. It’s about everything you’re gaining,” she says. “We (gained) clarity that we hadn’t felt in years and laughter so pure it makes your toes tingle. Because sober laughter? That stuff hits differently. It’s raw, real, and ridiculously good.”

I’m not doing Dry January this year, but I’ve done it before. It’s a good reset — my mornings felt clearer, my sleep deeper, and I was surprised by how quickly I began to truly appreciate the change of pace. Participation has been growing steadily every year since Dry January began in 2013. In 2024, CivicScience reported that 25% of U.S. adults aged 21 and over completed the challenge. This year, it’s estimated that more than 75 million are taking part, making 2025 the biggest yet.

It’s no wonder the trend is taking off. The World Health Organization classifies alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen — the same category as tobacco and asbestos — and the Surgeon General recently released an advisory linking even light drinking to increased cancer risk. Dr. Steven Quay, founder of Seattle-based Atossa Therapeutics, strongly advocates for avoiding alcohol, noting its role in nearly 100,000 cancer cases annually in the U.S.

But it’s not just about health. Younger generations are driving a cultural shift in drinking habits. Gen Z adults drink 20% less than Millennials, and last year, nearly 75% of Gen Z adults said they were planning to participate in Dry January. And of course, there are apps for it — Try Dry and Sunnyside help you track progress and set goals.

If you’re participating in Dry January, leading a sober life, or just looking to switch it up, Seattle has plenty of options to keep things interesting.

NA margaritas at Poquitos are available in a variety of flavors.

Photo courtesy of Poquitos

Local Drinks Worth a Toast

At Aerlume (downtown Seattle, the cucumber fresh is a blend of cucumber, mint, lime, and soda. Or, there’s the Pike Place sipper that has lavender, lime, rose water, and a hint of activated charcoal. Over at El Gaucho Seattle (Belltown), the apple-y ever after combines seedlip garden, apple purée, tamarindo syrup, and lime-yuzu soda for a perfectly balanced sweet-tart sip. For something cozy, try the pumpkin spice and everything nice, made with zero-proof rum and pumpkin spice syrup.

Sabine Cafe (Ballard) serves dealcoholized sparkling wine (white or rosé), sober carpenter non-alcoholic IPA or blonde ale, and a fizzy sparkling ginger limeade.

Rhein Haus (Capitol Hill) features the sausage party, a bold mix of Dr. Zero Zero’s AmarNo, suntory all-free, tart cherry, lemon, and ginger. For something lighter, the blitzkrieg pop combines watermelon, lime, and kava haven.

Atoma (South Lake Union) has a full Dry January menu of zero-proof options, including noughty by nature, featuring Noughty Sparkling Rosé, bitter grapefruit cordial, Pathfinder Amaro, lemon, and DHOS Bittersweet; and the righteous path, a creative mix of coconut-washed Pathfinder Amaro, candy cap mushroom cream, and cold brew.

At Life on Mars (Capitol Hill), the NA/low ABV menu features drinks like the big iron (0.05% ABV), a smoky blend of Pathfinder, Giffard Aperitif, black ginger, lemon, and lapsang tea.

Rough & Tumble Pub (Ballard) offers a zero-proof brunch menu. Metier Brewing (Downtown Seattle, Woodinville) and Stoup Brewing (Ballard, Capitol Hill, Kenmore) are serving housemade hop water, while Poquitos (Capitol Hill and Bothell) features non-alcoholic margaritas with its house sour mix. 

“Dry January isn’t about what you’re giving up — it’s about everything you’re gaining,” says Kirstin Vracko, co-owner of Cheeky and Dry, pictured with her husband.

Photo courtesy of Cheeky and Dry

Cheeky and Dry

Cheeky & Dry in Phinney Ridge carries non-alcoholic wines and beers, spirit replacements, cocktail kits, and mixers. Here are two of Vracko’s favorite recipes to try at home:

Golden Hour Highball

• 2 oz Pathfinder Hemp & Root Spirit
• ½ oz fresh squeezed orange juice
• Top with dry ginger beer
• Orange wheel for garnish
• Serve over ice in a highball glass

London 75

• 1.5 oz Dhos non-alcoholic gin
• ½ oz elderflower syrup
• ½ oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 2.5 oz Bolle Blanc de Blanc or another NA sparkling wine
• Mix gin, elderflower, and lemon in a shaker with ice. Shake for seven seconds, strain into a flute, and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Stop by Teanaway Country Store for daily tastings or after a hike in the nearby Teanaway Community Forest.

Photo courtesy of Teanaway Country Store

A Destination for Dry Drinkers and Hikers

If you’re up for a drive, the Teanaway Country Store in Cle Elum is just 90 minutes from Seattle and has the region’s largest selection of non-alcoholic beverages. Owner Traci Williams has turned the historic roadside stop into a destination for anyone embracing an alcohol-free lifestyle. There’s spirit replacements, non-alcoholic wines, ready-to-drink options, and daily tastings. And if you’re looking to stretch your legs, the 50,000-acre Teanaway Community Forest is nearby, perfect for a pre- or post-shopping hike. Williams believes alcohol-free beverages offer the same celebratory meaning and end-of-day rituals as their boozy counterparts, so connecting over a drink doesn’t require alcohol.

“It’s such an inclusive mindset,” Williams says. “We try to make it always worth the drive.”

Cheers!