My New Favorite Margarita Mocktail

For the first time ever, Chris and I are doing Dry January. Honestly, we realized COVID had made our drinking habits that much worse. We need a detox and we want out of the routine of drinking. I’m feeling so hopeful and excited that we can create healthier habits now that we have committed together to a full month off of alcohol.

As I considered making this change, I saw my Instagram friend Shannon Buth from @houseofshan post about Ritual Zero Proof, a natural, zero/low calorie, non-alcoholic substitute for liquor. It sounded like a great solution for Chris and me, so I decided to order the tequila and whisky substitutes.

Now a couple days in, I’ve had our favorite margarita drink as a cocktail, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I couldn’t really taste a big difference. It’s pretty darn good. Like if you hadn’t told me it was a mocktail, I might not know. Since many of you asked, here’s the recipe to make our favorite spicy margarita mocktail using Ritual Zero Proof:

Ritual Spicy Margarita Mocktail

Ingredients (makes 2 cocktails)
– Ritual Zero Proof Tequila Substitute
– 3 limes
– 2 tablespoons chili lime seasoning
– Fresca

Directions
Put chili lime seasoning on a small plate. Cut one lime into wedges. Use one wedge to coat the rim of two glasses with lime. Set other wedges aside. Coat the rims of both glasses with chili lime seasoning.

Fill a cocktail shaker 1/4 full with ice. Squeeze the juice of two limes into the shaker. Add 4 oz tequila substitute. shake it up. Fill glasses with ice and pour the shaker into the glasses. Top both glasses off with Fresca and add a lime wedge to each glass.

Looking Ahead

I’m not going to say this month will be a breeze. Like, at all. Since Chris and I have a habit of enjoying a drink (or two) together at night, anything to help us stay strong is very much necessary. While it sounds silly, the nice bottle and packaging of Ritual, and ability to easy sub it for our tequila and whisky drinks sounded like it might make is easier for us.

I’m hoping Dry January changes our drinking habits long term. I’ll report back on how it’s going and what’s next.

Are you doing Dry January? Or is drinking a little less something you are aiming for this year? I’d love to hear.