While we both contend January 1st isn’t more special than any other day of the year, we both wholeheartedly believe in fresh starts. We’ve deemed the holiday season our favorite time of year, but we’re also aware of the mental and physical toll it can take on our bodies. The hustle and bustle of the season coupled with an abundance of celebrations often encourages us to overindulge for weeks at a time. So, soon after we ring in the new year, we are both eager to take things a little easier, especially on our bodies. With that, we decided to partake in what is known as Dry January this year and partnered with DRY Botanical Bubbly to create a Zero-Proof Cocktail and Canapé Pairing Party perfect for celebrating now and all year long.
Want to recreate this party on your own? Below we’re sharing all the details on how to host a DRY January Pairing Party, plus all of the easy and delicious recipes to bring it all together!
Why Dry January?
Dry January is a public health campaign urging people to abstain from alcohol for the month of January. For many, it has become an annual tradition that coincides with new year resolutions to drink less. For some, it’s a way to detox after the holiday season and to jump-start a healthier year. Generally, those who participate often experience health benefits including better sleep, a stronger immune system, and overall improved health; something we are both longing for at this time.
Why DRY Botanical Bubbly?
Over the years, alcohol has become a staple for hosting and entertaining, but what we know is not everyone cares to consume it on every occasion. Furthermore, non-alcoholic options are scarce and usually include water and soda products, and nothing interesting or complex like a craft cocktail. That was until DRY Botanical Bubbly created innovative, ready-to-drink, sophisticated non-alcoholic beverages in 2005. Since then, DRY has been on a mission to elevate social drinking for everyone.
Let’s just say, DRY knows a thing or two about flavor and an enjoyable drinking experience with their unique flavors like Lavender, Cucumber, Blood Orange, and more. But that’s not where it ends! Their groundbreaking flavors are now the inspiration for sophisticated mocktail recipes, and you know just how much we love adding a level of sophistication to any occasion.
DRY January Pairing Party Idea – Zero-Proof Cocktails and Canapés
If you’re familiar with our Labor Day Pairing Party, then you already know just how fun and easy it is to recreate this idea for your own celebration. All you have to do is grab some DRY Botanical Bubbly and the ingredients needed for each recipe, download and print our free Pairing Guide and Food Labels, and set up your display. This party idea pairs perfectly with your DRY January resolution and any toast-worthy celebrations you have planned along the way.
What You Need
The Guide to Zero-Proof Cocktails
Whether you’re a master or a novice at mixology, you’ll want a copy of The Guide to Zero-Proof Cocktails to help you prepare for your pairing party. This guide is the ultimate resource for anyone who is looking to drink less, cut it out altogether, or simply wants to shake it up a bit. Become a mixology master as you get the lowdown on tools, glassware, and mixology terms, as well as the science of flavor. Each chapter is thoughtfully laid out from the simplest mocktail recipe to the most complex mocktail for an easy, learn as you go feel that anyone can follow. The guide is also included in the DRY Mixology Gift Set which is described in more detail below.
Use Code BUSYBEE10 for 10% off drinkdry.com
The Guide to Zero-Proof Cocktails features:
- 50 mocktail recipes perfect for every mixology skill level
- Unique Zero-Proof twists on some of your favorite classic cocktails like the French 75, the Old Fashioned, the Dirty Martini, the Jungle Bird, and more!
- Learn the important tools, techniques, and flavor breakdowns to help you become a mixology master.
For our DRY January Pairing Party, we chose the following mocktails:
- Sour Apple Spritz (p. 90)
- DRY & Dirty (p. 148)
- Vanilla Grapefruit Fizz (p. 110)
- Gatsby’s Garden (p. 94)
Dry Botanical Bubbly, Mixers & Garnish
DRY Botanical Bubbly is a toast-worthy nonalcoholic beverage, with a flavor portfolio specifically designed to pair perfectly with different cuisines and occasions. DRY not only elevates your zero-proof mixology but also the overall experience you are trying to create.
Don’t forget to use code BUSYBEE10 for 10% off drinkdry.com
For our DRY January Pairing Party, we chose the following flavors based on the recipes we selected above:
- DRY Botanical Bubbly Fuji Apple
- DRY Botanical Bubbly Cucumber
- DRY Botanical Bubbly Vanilla
- DRY Botanical Bubbly Lavender
While DRY Botanical Bubbly is perfect on its own for this pairing party, we decided to take things up a notch and incorporate four of the Zero-Proof Cocktail Recipes from the guide. With that, the following ingredients are also needed to complete the recipes:
- Cinnamon sticks
- Demerara sugar
- Grapefruit juice
- Lemon juice
- Lime juice
- Olive brine
- Onion brine
- Orange bitters
- Sugar cubes
- White verjus
- Zero-proof gin
Garnish
- Dried or fresh apple slices
- Grapefruit wedges
- Lemon twists
- Mint
- Pearl onions or olives
DRY Mixology Gift Set
The DRY Mixology Gift Set is the perfect gift for someone who is looking to drink less, try DRY January, or who loves to learn new things! This set is perfect for concocting delicious zero-proof cocktails with ease.
Use Code BUSYBEE10 for 10% off drinkdry.com
The set includes:
- Shaker
- Jigger
- Muddler
- Strainer
- The Guide to Zero-Proof Cocktails
- Reusable Tote
- Two 750ml Celebration Bottles
Ingredients for Canapés
In order to bring this pairing party to life, you will want to incorporate some tasty pickings with complementary flavors to the zero-proof cocktails. Since each of DRY Botanical Bubbly’s flavors feature unique tastes, we chose four canapé recipes to complement each one.
- Gorgonzola, Grape, and Honey
- Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Canapés
- Rosemary Pineapple Mozzarella Canapés
- Blueberry-Ricotta Tartlet Canapés
To make all four recipes, you will need the following ingredients:
- Gorgonzola cheese crumbles or center cut
- Fresh mozzarella, drained
- Part-skim ricotta
- Blueberries
- Cucumber
- Sliced grapes
- Pineapple slices or chunks, fresh or canned
- Pine nuts or sliced Almonds
- Dill tips
- Chopped rosemary
- Salt
- Freshly ground pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Apricot jam
- Honey, to drizzle
- Finely grated lemon zest
- Lemon juice
- Olive oil
- Pure vanilla extract
- Cream cheese
- Smoked salmon
- baguette
- Frozen mini phyllo shells, thawed
- Mini bagels
- Rosemary crackers
Pairing Guide and Food Labels
What’s a pairing party without some fun, coordinating printables? The best way to host this DRY January Pairing Party is to include a Zero-Proof Cocktail and Canapé Pairing Guide and descriptive Food Labels to help guests choose their pairings and understand which flavors they’re sampling.
Need a Pairing Guide and Food Labels to include at your party? Sign up to download our free printables HERE!
How to Setup A DRY January Pairing Party
1. Choose your setting.
This DRY January Pairing Party is perfect as an indoor gathering or an outdoor soirée. We opted to incorporate our tasting throughout our entire tablescape, but it could easily be set on a sideboard, coffee table, or console table.
2. Choose your serveware.
Elevate your zero-proof cocktail and canapé display by selecting an assortment of tiered trays, appetizer plates, and beverage bowls to create visual interest.
- Beverage, decorative, or serving bowls are perfect for displaying DRY Botanical Bubbly bottles
- Cocktail shakers, small pitchers, and mini carafes are great for pouring pre-mixed zero-proof cocktail mixers
- Tiered trays or dessert stands are a unique way to add height to your overall design and for displaying canapés
- Vintage-inspired champagne coupes elevate bubbly-inspired zero-proof cocktails in the simplest way
3. Premix Your Zero-Proof Cocktail and Prepare Your Canapé Recipes
Make pouring your zero-proof cocktails a breeze by premixing the recipes for your guests to pour as little or as much as they like. Also, give yourself plenty of time to prepare your canapé recipes in advance, and don’t hesitate to ask for a helping hand.
4. Set your Zero-Proof Cocktail and Canapé Pairing Guide and Food Labels.
Download, print and cut out your DRY January Pairing Guide and Food Labels. We like to use a paper cutter to achieve straight edges. Then, display next to your pairings to guide guests through their tasting.
- Frame your DRY January Pairing Guide for an elevated look.
#HostfulHack: Shop your own home for coordinating picture frames to temporarily frame party printables. You don’t always have to buy new when creating a thoughtful design.
5. Mix in decorative details.
There’s nothing we love more than decorative details to achieve aesthetics. The best way we know how to do this is by using decor pieces in unique ways.
- Layer placemats to create a one-of-a-kind table runner
- Use white shola flower vase fillers in place of floral arrangements or table garlands
- Include mini wooden platters to be used as appetizer plates to incorporate natural tones
If you love this DRY January Pairing Party, we’d love to see you incorporate DRY Botanical Bubbly’s Zero-Proof Cocktails and our complementary canapés concept into your resolution and/or celebration this year! Please share with us photos and/or videos of you hosting this pairing party by emailing us at hello@thebusybeeevents.com or sending us a DM on Instagram. We cannot wait to see how it comes together for you and your loved ones!
Leave a Reply