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My favorite part of Dry January is discovering products and learning new things about old habits. There’s the annual trip the bevvie shop to see what’s recent. Don’t miss the bitters section, where creativity thrives and new drinks are brought to life.
I’ve enjoyed the old favorites, like Sparkling Hot Chocolate.
Mix soda water with a few dashes of cocoa and spicy bitters for a deep, complex drink with a kick. Satisfying, cheap and few carbohydrates.
I’ve also discovered this series of Philters zero-proof spirits.
Based in Tuscon, Philters uses ingredients such as lemon verbena, Siberian Ginseng, ashwagandha, chicory and oak chips, with low carbohydrates (0 – 2 g.) and 10 – 30 calories per shot. Serve on ice or mix with soda and your favorite bitter. I’ve been mixing Mezkahl with fresh lime juice and sliced Serrano pepper. The Wiski goes great with blood orange bitters, and their Jynn is fantastic with tonic. I made Hot Buttered Rum with Ruhm, butter, freshly ground allspice and cinnamon stick. Delicious.
A surprise addition this year is Liquid Death. Very trendy with the kids right now, hanging outside the local grocer. I thought it was the edgy branding with the skull face can, but it’s good. It works well as a zero-proof happy hour drink. The sparkling and still selections are nothing special, but check out Severed Lime, with 20 calories and 4 carbohydrates per 19.2 ounces ($2.50). Compared to another favorite, Hella’s Bitters and Soda, coming in at $4 per for 12 oz (10 Cal / 1 carbohydrate), I’ve got a lot more for a lot less.
A unexpected winner at the Outdoor Junkie Happy Hour was mixing Liquid Death with Philters Jynn and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Last week we also celebrated with a Mocktail Crawl in San Francisco. Started at the St. Regis Bar and walked to Dirty Habit, one of my favorite Food Party! stops last year, part of Adult Playday – Downtown San Francisco. The location is near MOMA and Yerba Buena, a fun area of the City to explore by foot.
St. Regis Bar offers a list of 9 new mocktails in honor of Dry January. We tried the Espresso Martini and Virgin Snapper, both delicious and wonderfully sipp-able ($15). We enjoyed happy hour with snacks here,
then walked 7 minutes to Dirty Habit.
Dirty Habit is in an unexpected place – a couple floors up, go down a hall, and when you get there it’s magical. Blue velvet inside and outside patio with long fireplaces and cozy nooks. We sat at the bar and ordered a Lavender Lie with Ritual “tequila” and Butterfly Pea Syrup, along with a Mock Toddy (Ritual “whiskey,” spiced ginger honey syrup) (both $14). Dirty Habit’s Bar Master Steve Marshall is an expert at blending nonalcoholic drinks into something surprisingly delicious and satisfying. There’s a full bar and dinner menu to enjoy.
The zero-spirit space is exciting and keeps getting better. Keep an eye for the non alcoholic drink menu next time you’re out.
- photos by LSIC
