From Dry January to drier living: Hilary Sheinbaum on sober-curious wellness
Just because Dry January is underway doesn’t mean it’s too late to jump in. No one knows this better than Hilary Sheinbaum, a New York–based author, journalist and leading voice in the sober-curious space. Sheinbaum shares how to make the most of Dry January as a sober-curious adventure, how to maximize an alcohol-free wellness opportunity and how to have a little fun along the way, including one of her favorite N/A beverage recipes.
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Reframing Dry January: progress over perfection
Author of “Going Dry: A Workbook” and “The Dry Challenge,” Sheinbaum has participated in Dry January for more than a decade.
“People often think Dry January is an all-or-nothing thing,” she says. “But participating in Dry Jan isn’t about being 100% perfect. That’s a lot of pressure.”
Instead, Sheinbaum encourages people to view Dry January as a chance to explore whether a dry or dryer lifestyle suits them and how it might improve their day-to-day life.
“If you have one drink or go out for a night of drinking for a wedding or birthday, not all is lost,” Sheinbaum says. “You can continue on your Dry January the very next day. It’s also important to be kind to yourself.”
— Hilary Sheinbaum
January 2026 is my 10th Dry January and so many more people participate now than they did back then. That has been surprising in the best way.
Why go dry, even temporarily?
People choose to cut out alcohol for many reasons, from physical health concerns to mental and emotional well-being. Others simply want a break. Regardless of the motivation, abstaining from alcohol for at least 30 days can offer meaningful benefits.
“There are so many benefits to going dry for even a mere month,” Sheinbaum explains. “Some perks include better sleep, more energy, financial savings and clearer skin, among many others.”
Support for a dry or dryer lifestyle
Putting a pause on booze may be no big deal for some and a Herculean task for others. The good news is that there are plenty of resources available for those seeking support during their alcohol hiatus.
Sheinbaum’s “Going Dry: A Workbook: A Practical Guide to Drinking Less and Living More” and “The Dry Challenge: How to Lose the Booze for Dry January, Sober October and Any Other Alcohol-Free Month” offer guidance that is informative, insightful and, dare we say, fun?!
“I think my book ‘Going Dry: A Workbook’ is especially helpful for people who want to reflect, write down their experiences and chart their dry month,” Sheinbaum notes. “There’s also a great book called ‘Dry Humping’ by Tawny Lara, which is all about dating without alcohol.”
What to drink instead: N/A beverages done right
The rise of sober-curious living and non-alcoholic beverage culture has made swapping a cocktail or beer easier than ever.
Some of Sheinbaum’s favorite N/A options include Free Spirits canned cocktails, Mionetto Alcohol-Removed Sparkling Wine and Freixenet Alcohol-Removed Sparkling Rosé. “At get-togethers, people love comparing traditional sparkling options with ABV to the alcohol-removed versions,” she says. “It’s a fun activity.”
Recipe spotlight: The French 89
A Taylor Swift–inspired twist on the French 75, courtesy of Hilary Sheinbaum
Ingredients
1 oz Free Spirits Gin
1/4 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 oz simple syrup
Lemon rind for garnish
3 oz chilled non-alcoholic sparkling wine such as Mionetto Alcohol-Removed Sparkling Wine or Freixenet Alcohol-Removed Sparkling White
Method
Add the non-alcoholic gin, lemon juice and simple syrup to a glass and stir.
Pour into a Champagne flute or coupe and top with the non-alcoholic sparkling wine.
Garnish with a lemon peel and enjoy.
Staying dry beyond January
It’s not uncommon for Dry January to lead to drier living. Feeling better and discovering an influx of N/A beverage options can inspire some to continue reducing or eliminating alcohol well beyond the month.
Even with the decision to remain alcohol-free after January, it can still feel challenging. Not to worry. Sheinbaum offers a few practical tips for adding more sober days to your calendar.
Recruit a friend: “There’s strength in numbers and it helps to have someone to spend time with who isn’t drinking as well.”
Explore N/A options: “There are NA wines, beers and spirits that taste great, just without the buzz.”
Plan alcohol-free social and travel activities: “Take the reins on social plans and take a dry trip. There are great NA beverages at resorts like Le Méridien Salt Lake City and Red Cliffs Lodge Zion. En route to destinations, there are also great places to grab an NA bev or two, like Chase Lounges in various airports.”
What’s next?
Having had the pleasure of meeting Sheinbaum and seeing her expertise in sober-curious travel and N/A beverages firsthand, it’s exciting to imagine what’s ahead.
“Hopefully, more books and travel are in the future,” she says. “I’ll also be working with more hotels, restaurants and bars to enhance their non-alcoholic menus. I’m so excited.”
To learn more about Hilary Sheinbaum, visit hilarysheinbaum.com.
