Dry January formally started in the United Kingdom through an organization called Alcohol Change UK. Their first year, 2013, had 4,000 participants. Eleven years later, over 175,000 people around the world this year pledge to give up alcohol for the month of January.

If you made a New Year’s resolution to participate, but still would like to join your friends while they go out, no need to panic. You can achieve an alcohol-free month and still sip on something while you’re out — cue the mocktail.

Here are some spots around Colorado Springs that offer alcohol-free beverages that are a little more fun than a simple soda:

503W

Nina Lee, front, and Rollie Ortiz opened 503 W Open Kitchen and Craft Bar in January at the old Dutch Mill Tavern location on W. Colorado Avenue. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE

This restaurant and bar located in between downtown Colorado Springs and Old Colorado City specializes in contemporary American eats with Asian influences, according to their website. They’re celebrating their tenth year in business this January.

Along with mocktails, their non-alcoholic drink menu includes kombucha, ginger bear, iced tea and more. Some of their mocktails are the “Stubborn Mule” and “Hibiscus ‘Booch Highball.”

Their location is easy to remember as it is 503 W. Colorado Ave.

Springs Orleans

Springs Orleans Restaurant (Located at: 123 E Pikes Peak Ave, Colorado Springs, CO. 80903) Thursday May 10, 2018. Photo by Jeff Kearney.

Jeff Kearney

This Cajun and Creole restaurant is located in downtown Colorado Springs. The restaurant’s owners describe the eatery as having “chic décor and (an) upscale yet laid-back atmosphere.” This makes it a great option for a group of friends grabbing drinks and maybe some gumbo or crawfish as well.

They have a mix of sparkling, fruity mocktails on their menu, which you can find here.

They’re located at 123 E. Pikes Peak Ave.

1350 Distilling

Multiple garnishes make a Bloody Mary bar what some call a breakfast in a drink. 1350 Distilling near downtown Colorado Springs says it has “Colorado’s Biggest Bloody Mary Bar.”

PHOTOS BY Jerilee Bennett, the gazette

“1350 Distilling is a veteran, teacher, and women-owned distillery that proudly sources local ingredients to make award-winning spirits,” according to their website.

If your friends are wanting to venture out to a distillery, this one can be your go-to recommendation. Along with an array of spirits, they have a featured mocktails list.

Some of their mocktails include a virgin mojito called “No-Jito” and a blood orange and lime drink called “The Bloody Tart.”

They’re located at 520 E. Pikes Peak Ave.

Atmosphere Gastropub

Atmosphere Gastropub, 1327 Interquest Parkway, Colorado Springs. Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019. 

Jeff Kearney, Special to The Gazette

If you’re looking for a meal with your mocktail somewhere in northern Colorado Springs, Atmosphere Gastropub might be a good fit for you.

This gastropub is “offering elevated drinks and a creative, fresh menu to an area that desperately needs culinary salvation,” their website reads.

Their alcohol-free drinks include a range of flavors from fruity to minty to flowery.

They’re located at 1327 Interquest Parkway.

Trainwreck

Trainwreck, 812 S. Sierra Madre St., is Colorado Springs’ coolest new sports bar. Courtesy photo

With two acres of indoor and outdoor activities, Trainwreck is a good option if you’re trying to accommodate a big group. According to their website, “It’s basically a playground for adults.”

They have virtual golf, pool tables, live music and more.

Some of their “Back on Track Mocktails” are “Cucumber Spritz,” “Mor Mojito Kombucha” and “Rowdy Mermaid.”

They’re located at 812 S. Sierra Madre St.

With all these Colorado Springs restaurants, bars and distilleries in mind, you can set yourself up for a fun-filled, dry month. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism offered some advice for a successful Dry January:

Many people use Dry January as a jumping-off point to explore drinking habits and modify them as necessary.

Tribune news service