What is Dry January?
After overindulging between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, Dry January is the month designated to starting the new year off right by cleansing our bodies of alcohol and toxins. Embarking on a detox has numerous health benefits including a clearer complexion, weight loss, liver recovery, and better sleep. It goes hand in hand with Veganuary.
What is Veganuary?
Observed during January, Veganuary is a challenge to cleanse our bodies of meat and ‘go vegan’ for the month. Health benefits include lowering your blood pressure, improved digestion, weight loss, and reducing your risk of stroke.
Join these cleanse challenges and head to these LA restaurants (along with a few brands) offering Dry January mocktails and Veganuary specials.
Dry January
Birdie G’s
Birdie G’s welcomes you to enjoy mocktails during Dry January. Bar Manager Stephanie Reading has expanded the Non-Alcoholic and Low ABV Cocktail menu this month with drinks like Reaching for the Cosmos – reminiscent of a Cosmopolitan with Monday’s zero-alcohol “gin,” lemon, cranberry, rosemary, vanilla & a splash of soda, Bird of Paradise – gives off tropical vibes with passion fruit, lemon, orgeat, honey, Abstinence’s Blood Orange Bittersweet “aperitif,” Monday’s “mezcal” & a splash of soda, She’s a Peach – showcases Monday’s “whiskey” with lime, peach, kumquat, Szechuan honey & soda water, and Low-Groni – a low ABV Negroni featuring Lo-Fi Sweet Vermouth, Abstinence’s Blood Orange Bittersweet “aperitif,” Monday’s “gin” & Barr Hill’s Tom Cat Gin. Wine Director Nina Granados is also popping open some fun, non-alcoholic wines, like Leitz’s Eins Zwei Zero’s Sparkling Riesling and NON’s sparkling wines in wild flavors, such as Lemon Marmalade & Hibiscus and Caramelised Pear & Kombu. Various prices; Sundays – Thursdays, 5 – 9:00 pm and Fridays – Saturdays, 5 – 9:30 pm; 2421 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90404; 310.310.3616
Esters
Esters serves mocktails for Dry January. In addition to non-alcoholic riffs on classic Penicillins and French 75s, Bar Manager Jonah Atkins has expanded the Mocktail offerings with new drinks, like the Herbal Remedy – featuring Clean’s non-alcoholic “gin,” rosemary syrup & fresh lemon juice, and the Ghia Gimlet – showcasing Ghia Ginger, sage syrup & fresh lime juice. Various prices; Mondays – Saturdays, 12 – 10:00 pm and Sundays, 12 – 9:00 pm; 1314 Seventh St., Santa Monica, CA 90401; 310.899.6900
NON
Love Lambrusco, then you will love NON, a booze-free wine alternative that just launched. Resembling Lambrusco’s tart and spicy taste, NON blends ingredients such as sour cherry, cold-brewed coffee, and garam masala to mimic the acid, tannins, and spice found in some red wines. Check out these pairings and recipes. $29+; Available online at NON
Riviera 31
Riviera 31 at the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills celebrates Dry January with a special line of non-alcoholic cocktails. Director of Nightlife Aidan Demarest has curated a dry cocktail menu composed of fabulous mocktails made of Seedlip, a non-alcoholic spirits alternative that balances crisp, delicious flavors and healthy, natural ingredients. Various prices; Mondays – Sundays, 5 – 11:00 pm; Sofitel LA at Beverly Hills – 8555 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048
SANS
We had to mention SANS, the first Asian-themed alcohol alternative, mixer, and health beverage created by Kevin Kreider from Netflix’s Bling Empire. Infused with adaptogens like ginseng to boost your brain and L-Theanine to level up your focus, SANS is a “conversational beverage… that encourages you to “be a part of the Buzz, without the Booze.” This non-alcoholic drink is perfect for parties, outdoor events, and chilling at home. $49.99 (12 pack); Available online at SANS
Veganuary
Café Gratitude
Start the new year by ditching meat and joining Veganuary at Café Gratitude! The beloved plant-based restaurant is offering a 1 or 3-day juice cleanse and a chef-prepared, plant-based Meal Plan with a rotating menu. Highlights include: ‘I am Patient’ made with Ginger Turmeric Overnight Oats and Mixed Berries, ‘I am Gracious’ a Keto Cauliflower Rice Salad made with Arugula, Edamame, Avocado, Tomato Confit & Green Goddess Dressing, and ‘I am Terrific’ Almond Pad Thai Noodles made with sautéed Kale and smoked Tofu. In addition, some favorite meal plan add-ons include Superfood Green Hummus, Broccoli Miso Bisque, Probiotic Beet Tahini, and more! Take the thought out of prepping and order Café Gratitude’s 3-day or 6-day meal plan – available for pick-up or delivery! Various prices, hours, and locations
Everytable
For Veganuary, mission-driven food company Everytable is serving an array of new Superfood Bowls, including the beautiful Rainbow Antioxidant Bowl ($6.95-$8.55). This vegan-friendly bowl is made with black lentils, shredded superfoods slaw, avocado, red beets, sweet red & yellow peppers, roasted sweet potatoes, and a pomegranate-beet vinaigrette. The new Superfood Bowls are convenient, affordable, and filled with nutrient-rich ingredients that have been shown to have broad health benefits, from fighting cancer to increasing energy, maintaining weight, reducing stress, and improving immunity – the perfect start to a rejuvenating 2023 that won’t burn a hole in the wallet! $6.95 – $8.55; Various hours and locations
Gracias Madre WeHo
Gracias Madre WeHo’s vegan-friendly meals are perfect for those Angelenos looking to fulfill their healthy New Year’s resolutions. Executive Chef Diana Briscoe has prepared vegan dishes such as the refreshing Elissa Goodman Taco Salad ($19) made with walnut & quinoa taco mix, romaine, shredded cabbage, cherry tomatoes, and a lemon thyme vinaigrette, or try some mouth-watering favorites like the Mushroom Quesadilla ($19) made with plenty of mozzarella, roasted garlic mushrooms, spinach, and house Tapatio, or warm up with the Caldo De Huitlacoche ($26) made with vegetable broth, roasted mushrooms, corn, huitlacoche, crispy tortilla strips, avocado, and Aleppo pepper. Sundays – Wednesdays, 11:00 am – 10:00 pm, Thursdays – Saturdays, 11:00 am – 11:00 pm; 8905 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90069; 323.978.2170
Trejo’s Coffee & Donuts
Trejo’s Coffee & Donuts guarantees everyone’s Veganuary will be sweet this year with Danny Trejo’s deliciously raised vegan donuts. The vegan flavors include the Vegan O.G., AKA the classic glazed donut; the Vegan Berry, a vegan cake donut made with banana, almond milk, raspberry, and blueberry; and the Vegan Cinnamon Crumb, a classic glazed donut with cinnamon crumble. Various prices; Mondays – Sundays, 7:00 am – 4:00 pm; 6785 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90038; 323.462.4600
Tulsi Indian Eatery
Tulsi Indian Eatery is offering 20% off vegan dishes (ask upon ordering at the counter) for Veganuary. Tulsi takes guests on a culinary tour of regional Indian dishes, including Northern Indian dishes like the Plant Based Kheema Samosas ($8), Aloo Paratha ($7), and Poori Bhaji ($7); dishes from the Southern Indian region like Idli Sambar ($7) and Vada ($8); and Western Indian dishes such as Pav Bhaji ($8), Bombay Bhel ($6), and Lilva Petis ($6). In addition to the regional cuisines, Tulsi’s Masala Chai ($3) and Tandoori Roti ($2.50) are also fit for a vegan diet. Various hours and locations
