Could Your Dry January Last All Year?
What is dry January?
Mocktails are in. Cocktails are out. That’s a mantra many people are sticking to at the start of 2026 as Dry January kicks off. The resolution is only for 31 days without alcohol. But for some, the healthy change could be permanent as they join the ranks of the record number of Americans who have eliminated alcohol consumption altogether.
Is alcohol use declining?
A Gallup study shows drinking has been on the decline in the United States, with an all-time low of 54% of Americans reporting alcohol consumption in 2025. That compares with a high of 71% of Americans drinking alcohol in 1978.
The decline in drinking is linked to increasing awareness that alcohol, even in moderation, is bad for a person’s health, the study noted. In fact, alcohol use is one of the most important preventable risk factors for cancer.
The health benefits of not drinking
Taking a break, reducing or eliminating alcohol permanently can have significant benefits, research shows. A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine revealed that reducing or eliminating alcohol intake can substantially decrease a person’s risk of developing certain types of cancer. The report highlighted that even a single glass of alcohol per week can increase the risk for at least six types of cancer: oral, esophageal, colorectal, stomach, breast and liver.
The research found that stopping alcohol consumption for five to nine years was shown to reduce oral cancer risk by 34%. The study also revealed that reducing or eliminating alcohol intake was linked to a 15% to 65% relative risk reduction for esophageal cancer, depending on the duration of cessation. Research is continuing into how a reduction in drinking could impact risks for other types of cancer.
The link between alcohol consumption and cancer
Sylvia Crowder, PhD, a nutrition researcher in Moffitt Cancer Center’s Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, emphasizes that there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption as alcohol is a known carcinogen. Research already suggests that cancer treatment outcomes may be poorer for patients who consume alcohol excessively.
“The link between alcohol consumption and cancer can’t be overlooked,” Crowder explained. “Alcohol use is the third leading modifiable factor that increases cancer risk after cigarette smoking and excess body weight. The less alcohol you drink, the lower your risk for cancer.”
The start of the new year is the perfect motivator to make a change, whether it’s for 31 days, 365 or permanently.
“Embracing resolutions like Dry January is a great start for anyone looking to continue healthier habits throughout the year,” Crowder said.
MOCKTAILS BY MOFFITT
The experts in the research kitchen at Moffitt’s Population Engagement and Research Laboratory (PEARL) share a couple mocktail recipes to kick off Dry January:
Pomegranate Ginger Fizz Mocktail
This recipe makes one serving. You can easily scale the ingredients to make a larger batch in a pitcher.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup pomegranate juice
- ¼ cup ginger ale or nonalcoholic ginger beer
- ¼ cup sparkling water or club soda
- 1 tbsp ginger simple syrup (made with 1 oz sliced fresh ginger, ½ cup agave syrup, 1 cup water)
- Crushed ice
- Mint sprig, pomegranate arils and/or thinly sliced lime to garnish
Instructions:
Ginger simple syrup: Add the ingredients to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer until thickened. It’s ready when the liquid can coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat, strain and let cool. Any extra can be kept refrigerated for more drinks!
Combine: Add the cooled ginger simple syrup and pomegranate juice to a glass and stir to combine.
Add ice: Add enough crushed ice to fill the glass halfway.
Top off: Pour the ginger ale or nonalcoholic ginger beer and sparkling water over the ice.
Garnish and serve: Stir gently and garnish as desired with fresh mint, arils and/or lime slices.
* Tips and variations: To adjust the sweetness, start with less simple syrup and add more to taste. This drink is also delicious with warm spices like ground cinnamon or clove stirred in.
Fauxjito Mocktail Recipe
This recipe makes one serving. You can easily scale the ingredients to make a larger batch in a pitcher.
Ingredients:
- 10-12 fresh mint leaves, plus extra for garnish
- 1 oz fresh lime juice (about half a lime)
- 2 tbsp simple syrup (or granulated sugar to taste)
- ½ cup club soda or sparkling water
- Crushed ice
- Lime wedges or slices for garnish
Instructions:
Combine: In a sturdy glass, add the mint leaves and lime juice (or a few lime wedges and sugar).
Gently crush: Use the back of a wooden spoon to gently crush the mint leaves and lime. The goal is to bruise the mint to release its oils and juice the lime, not to shred the leaves into pieces.
Add sweetness: Stir in the simple syrup or sugar until dissolved.
Add ice: Fill the glass nearly to the top with crushed ice.
Top off: Pour the club soda or sparkling water over the ice.
Garnish and serve: Stir gently to combine the flavors. Garnish with additional fresh mint sprigs and a lime wedge or slice.
* Tips and variations: To adjust the sweetness, start with less simple syrup and add more to taste. Honey simple syrup is also a popular alternative. For a fun twist, muddle in a few fresh berries, mango or cucumber slices along with the mint and lime.
