Photo courtesy of @zane_xcvi
Full steam ahead into 2024! As January progresses, we find ourselves in the onset of the new year – a clean slate with limitless potential. Join us in taking this opportunity to reset, assess and strategize for the year to come. This month, let’s prioritize healthy habits and embark on a journey that celebrates wellness and growth! Let’s swap that cocktail for a mocktail – and sip our way through a month of mindful choices. As the sparkle of a fresh start begins to settle – we are just getting started! Here’s to a January that sets the tone for a year brimming with possibility, health, and wellness – cheers to that!
A kombucha mule is a prime example that you can still sip without sacrificing tantalizing flavors and health benefits. Kombucha contains probiotics and antioxidants that support your immune system and gut health – bottoms up! Combine crushed ice, fresh squeezed lime juice to taste, kombucha (flavor of your choice – check out Back to the Mother for local favorites) and a lime garnish – here’s to good health!
Craving something a little more savory? Whip up a virgin Bloody Mary or a spicy Caesar (same premise, we just swap out the tomato juice for Clamato!). Tomato juice contains a slew of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants – safe to say we can indulge conscience-clear! This mocktail is modification friendly – so start small and add them to taste! Combine tomato, lemon, and pickle juices over ice, add a smidgen of Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, hot sauce and celery seed. If you favor any ingredient, throw in an extra dash or splash! Pro tip - Montgomery Distillery offers bloody mix to go if you’re wanting to leave the more complex concoctions to the professionals.
Looking for something a little sweeter? A root beer zing will satiate your cravings – without the liquor! Muddle a lime and a couple pieces of ginger, pour your root beer over ice, and throw in a pinch of mint! Various local breweries offer artisanal sodas – stop in to grab yours today!
It’s no secret that green tea has positive health impacts – alleviating anxiety and stress, improved cognitive function, plant-based antioxidant compounds, need we go on? We are simply going to add some bubbles for extra sparkle! Mix over ice: juice of two limes, a cup of green tea (chilled), a dash or two of ginger ale or sparkling water, top it off with a sprig of fresh rosemary and voilà! Explore Missoula’s tea shops for our neighborhood specialties – or should we say special teas…
Dry January doesn’t mean skimping on the zest! Margarita mocktails are as delicious as they are customizable. Mix ice, sparkling water, fresh lime, orange, and grapefruit juice and finish it off with a salted (or sugared) rim of the cup (it just doesn’t taste the same without it!). Make it spicy with muddled jalapeños or a little sweeter with honey – sugar or spice, this mocktail is everything nice! The Camino offers freshly squeezed, in house marg mix to go, if you’re wanting to recreate perfection.
Pop into the Missoula Valley Winter Market for an opportunity to shop local (always a win) for fresh, regional goods to add to your delicious, health conscious concoctions (double win). Has dry January ever tasted this good?
Still feel like stepping out on the town? We’ve got you – and so do your bartenders! A multitude of our go-to dining spots offer your favorite libations minus the hard stuff. Check out our dining guide for the inside scoop!
