How to Make a Booze Free Piña Colada, the Best Cocktail for Dry January and Beyond

Robb Report may earn an affiliate commission if you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our site. A lot of people enter the New Year with the mindset of giving up everything they love and enjoy. This seems to be a cultural trend imprinted in the month of January. Our social media feeds are filled with advertisements encouraging Dry January or advocating for gym memberships and different kinds of wellness programs. January somehow becomes a month earmarked for self-improvement. The catch here is trying to change everything at once could complicate things and make adherence difficult. This article does not intend to offer some magical wellness subscription; rather it's about suggesting how a well-executed Non-Alcoholic (NA) Piña Colada (also known as Piña Nolada or Piña Co Nada) may ease off the Dry January blues. The general issue with non-alcoholic cocktails is their tendency to taste like dressed-up fruit juice, lacking the punch which alcohol provides on the tongue. To combat this, cocktails can rely on bitterness or carbonation, which mimic the effect of alcohol. Another, more universally appreciated, way is to play up the richness and decadence, and this is where the NA Piña Colada comes into its own. Sipping on a Piña Colada has the ability to transport us – they're evocative of being on a relaxing beach getaway, regardless of the weather outside. The magic of this drink lies in the amalgamation of coconut cream, pineapple, and lime, not the rum. Even if you're observing Dry January or have decided to forgo alcohol for any reason, an NA Piña Colada can be a delightful respite. Its variations are countless and all wonderful; you can use NA Aperitivo, or substitute the rum with grapefruit, mango or watermelon juice. This drink is equally appetizing when shaken with a makrut lime leaf or when paired with coffee. Yes, it has more calories than water infused with cayenne pepper, but that isn't the point. It suggests a new approach to wellness: the aim is to enjoy life, even as you maintain abstinence. If you're using pebble ice: Blend all ingredients together in a cocktail shaker with some pebble ice. Once mixed, pour the mixture into a glass and add as much additional ice as needed. If using a blender: Mix the liquid ingredients with around six to eight oz. of ice in a blender for around 10 seconds. Pour the concoction into a glass. Regardless of the method, garnish with pineapple leaves and a slice of orange, and if available, add a mini colorful umbrella.