An alcohol-free New Year's Eve (the night before Dry January)
New Year's Eve 2026 is Thursday, December 31, and Dry January starts the next morning. Some people treat it as one last night out. Others start a few hours early and walk into January with the hardest night already behind them. If you're doing the second, here's a plan for the toast, the party, the questions and the first weekend. Part of our Dry January guide.
The midnight toast
The toast is the part people worry about, and it's the easiest to solve: you just need something sparkling in a nice glass.
- Non-alcoholic sparkling wine in a flute looks exactly like everyone else's.
- Kanna Pomegranate Fusion is a sparkling raspberry and pomegranate can. Poured into a coupe, it's pink and fizzy and looks the part.
- A pomegranate rosemary spritz if you want to make something. The recipe is the first one in kanna mocktails.
Whatever's in your glass, keep it alcohol-free all night. The botanical cans on this site don't get mixed with alcohol. If you're pouring kanna, never combine it with antidepressants; the full cautions are below.
If you're hosting
You choose the drinks, which makes this the easiest version of the night. Set out three things side by side so nobody feels they're drinking the "lesser" option:
- A bucket of cans on ice: a few botanical cans and some NA beer, clearly labeled.
- A pitcher mocktail: the spiced cranberry spritz from Dry January mocktails serves four and takes five minutes.
- Plain options: sparkling water, lemonade and something for the kids, kept away from the botanical cans.
More ideas in non-alcoholic drinks for a party.
If you're going out
- Check the menu first. Some bars and restaurants list non-alcoholic drinks. If you can't find a list, call and ask.
- Order first. Get a drink in your hand early and the questions mostly stop.
- Give the bartender a brief. "Something fun, no alcohol, not too sweet" gets a better drink than "just a soda."
- Plan your ride home. You'll be clear-headed, which makes you very popular at 1 a.m.
What to drink instead of alcohol at a bar has specific orders.
When someone hands you a drink
You don't owe anyone an explanation, but it helps to have a line ready:
- "I'm doing Dry January. I'm just starting early."
- "I've got one, thanks." (Lift your glass.)
- "I'm driving."
- "No thanks." That's a whole sentence.
Other people are usually thinking about their own night, not your glass.
After midnight
If you're home and the night has been dry, a kava can is a classic end-of-night choice. Kava Orange Dream tastes like a creamsicle and is the easiest first kava. Kava doesn't mix with alcohol, so only open one if nothing else in the evening did, and don't drive afterwards.
New Year's Day and the first weekend (Jan 1–3)
Dry January 2027 opens with a three-day stretch: a holiday Friday, then Saturday and Sunday.
- New Year's Day brunch: orange juice and NA sparkling wine make a mimosa that nobody will question.
- Saturday night: plan it now. A movie night, a dinner, a game. An empty Saturday is when the old habit is loudest.
- Sunday: stock the fridge for the first work week and read Dry January week by week.
If it's harder than you expected
If a night off, or a month off, feels much harder than you expected, or you're worried about your drinking, talk to someone. In the US, SAMHSA's National Helpline is free, confidential and open 24/7 at 1-800-662-4357. If you drink heavily every day, talk to a doctor before stopping, because alcohol withdrawal can be serious. The botanical cans on this site are for adults 21+ and aren't recommended if you're in recovery.
Who should skip kava
- Kava drinks are for adults 21+.
- Kava has rare reports of liver problems, mostly linked to concentrated supplements. Skip it if you have a liver condition, are pregnant or nursing, or take medications that affect the liver or nervous system.
- Don't mix it with alcohol, and don't drive after drinking it. Talk to your doctor if you're unsure.
Who should skip kratom
- Kratom drinks are for adults 21+.
- Kratom can be habit-forming with regular use. The FDA hasn't approved it for any use, and it's restricted in some states and cities, so check your local rules.
- Skip it if you're pregnant or nursing, in recovery from alcohol or other substance use, or take any daily medication. Talk to your doctor if you're unsure.
- One can is one serving. Don't drink it with alcohol or other botanicals, and don't drive after drinking it.
Who should skip kanna
- Kanna drinks are for adults 21+.
- Never combine kanna with antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs) or other serotonergic medications.
- Skip it if you're pregnant or nursing, and talk to your doctor if you take any daily medication.
- One can is one serving. Don't drink it with alcohol, and don't drive after drinking it.
Related: Dry January guide · Dry January week by week · Dry January mocktails · Non-alcoholic drinks for a party