As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, many people around the world toast not only to a new year but also to new goals and healthier habits. For an increasing number, Dry January - a movement dedicated to abstaining from alcohol for the month - takes effect. While this means skipping boozy cocktails and beers, it also means product developers are elevating flavor, taste and unique offerings.
Non-alcoholic (N/A) beverages are booming, and honey is playing a starring role in crafting these drinks into something extraordinary. Whether it's N/A beers, sparkling mocktails or sophisticated botanical sodas, honey's natural sweetness, depth and versatility make it the perfect ingredient to help sober curious consumers make it to Jan. 31 with ease.
Honey and Non-Alcoholic Beers: A Perfect Pairing
Honey is not just a sweetener - it’s a flavor enhancer that connects with consumers’ desire for natural and sustainable ingredients. Its diverse flavor profiles, from light and floral to dark and robust, allow beverage makers to create unique, unforgettable drinks.
The selection of N/A beers with honey is limited, giving brewers a market to corner in 2025. Honey is particularly appealing in styles like golden ales, wheat beers and lagers, where it complements citrusy hops or malty bases. Known for its ability to add subtle floral and earthy notes, honey brings complexity to N/A beers that replicate the flavor of their alcoholic counterparts. Beyond flavor, honey is a natural fermentable sugar that can help balance bitterness, even in unfermented N/A brews.
Mocktails with Honey: Sweet Sophistication
For those looking for an alternative to beer, mocktails with honey offer a sophisticated way to market N/A, premium drinks during Dry January. Honey pairs beautifully with several flavors topping 2025 trend lists - berry, spice, lavender and South/East Asian - making it the perfect sweetener for complex mocktails. A few fun made-with-honey mocktail mixers hit the market in the past year:
