[imagesource: Instagram / @fitchleedesmixers]

It is the era of low or no alcohol, it is the era of health and wellness, it is the era of a new you.

While bare-necking your way through life may seem monotonous or even terrifying, far more people these days are enjoying the perks of being mostly sober, or sober curious if you will.

People all over the world set up a monthlong sobriety challenge for themselves at the start of each new year, partaking in what is now colloquially known as Dry January.

Molly Desch, a “sobriety coach” reckons Dry January actually has loads of benefits: “aside from the health benefits, you have cleaner skin, you’ll sleep better, you’ll also save money”, she said via CBS News.

Studies have found the short-term health benefits of abstaining from the tipple could include lower blood pressure, improvements in insulin resistance, weight loss, better sleep and lower cancer risk, according to the American Heart Association.

To help you along, Desch suggests a new hobby, like exercise or crafting, which can help keep you busy and replace drinking:

“And also have an accountability partner, so if you know somebody that also wants to participate in Dry January, boom, sign them up, you guys can text each other throughout the day if you’re having a hard time, you can celebrate milestones,” Desch said.

I hear a spliff can also help you stay off the booze.

One month later and you’ll be feeling pretty prime.

To make hay while the sun shines, the experts are saying that just this one month of no drinking can have beneficial effects lasting well into the rest of the year.

Research is showing that people who participate in Dry January often continue to drink less even six to eight months later:

Anahad O’Connor, a health columnist for The Washington Post, told CBS News that one of the reasons people continue to curtail their drinking is because they see the tangible benefits of not drinking for the month. He said some of the benefits people have reported included “everything from saving more money … to having more energy. People report sleeping better. Six out of 10 people report losing weight, having better concentration, having better skin.”

If trying Dry January can help incentivise you to stay committed as a healthy and wholesome teetotalist in some shape or form throughout the whole year, then it is probably necessary to find a new favourite non-alcoholic drink.

While Fitch & Leedes is adept at making alcoholic drinks shine with their superb range of authentic mixers, they are also considerate enough to provide sober-living options with a range of mocktails that capture the moment of a good cocktail perfectly.

There’s the non-alcoholic version of the familiar sparkling wine and orange juice classic that has an added twist of cranberry, something that really makes this little can of Blushing Mimosa an absolute joy to drink:

Then, Fitch & Leedes’ Pink G&T is the sequel to the classic gin and tonic, except there’s no gin.

Rather, savour the bitter citrus notes of juniper berries melded with fresh cucumber and fragrant rosewater without any major G:

You can also try the Shirley Temple, as-is:

Traditionally made with ginger ale and pomegranate juice, topped with maraschino cherries, Fitch & Leedes’ Shirley Temple is a non-alcoholic remake of this timeless Hollywood classic in honour of the famous child star of the 1930s.

Or even the Island Fish Bowl, which comes without the boozy punch:

Packed with coconut and the sweet-bitter citrus taste of blue curaçao liqueur alongside a gentle sparkle, this island-style cocktail whips you off to sandy white beaches and crystal blue waters of the Caribbean in no time.

Hangover-free, of course.

There’s also the delightfully booze-free Classic range, which includes the zesty Classics Lime Twist, the tropical Classics Passionade, the spicey Classics Ginger Beer, and the bittersweet Classics Rock Shandy.

Try these Fitch & Leedes Moments and Classic sodas and mocktails available on their website and Takealot for purchasing.

Clear skin, better sleep, and no headaches await.

[source:cbsnews]