Dear reader,

I’m *checks calendar* 11 days into my first ever Dry January and still kicking. I thought I’d be scratching off the days like time served. But, aside from last Friday evening—when uncorking a bottle of wine is almost a reflex—it’s been pretty easy and even enjoyable thanks to all of the excellent zero-proof options currently available. Below, you’ll find an updated list of some of the best booze-free beverages on the market right now—including a very convincing bubbly and the non-alcoholic version of a sour beer with a cult following.

My new favourite non-alcoholic drink isn’t on this list, both because it isn’t new and because it isn’t necessarily marketed as a substitute for booze. It’s called Kinnie, a carbonated soft drink from Malta that’s made with orange and wormwood. It’s citrusy, bittersweet and herbaceous, giving it a real negroni vibe. My first thought—no surprise here—was that it would make a great mixer. But, after a few sips, I didn’t miss the gin. Kinnie can be hard to find, but so far I’ve been able to buy cans at the Junction’s Malta Bake Shop and Mississisauga’s Starsky Fine Foods (where some schnitzel from the hot table and house-baked paczki also ended up in my basket).

Also in this week’s newsletter: the Drake Hotel’s beverage manager on how to stock an entirely alcohol-free home bar. Plus, six easy and delicious ways to soup up sad instant ramen.

Historically, non-alcoholic drinks have been less-than-delicious and slightly childish, boring or too-sweet alternatives for those who are sober, driving or pregnant. Thankfully, this is no longer the case: zero-proof wine, beer, cocktails and bubbly have a lot to offer anyone who cares to abstain—be it for a night, a month or a lifetime. Whether you’re dedicated to Dry January or just trying to avoid a hangover, these drinks have you covered.

Sometimes it’s best to get a professional opinion. We asked the Drake’s corporate beverage manager, Gord Hannah, how to stock the perfect home bar for a sober happy hour. (Featuring my own shiny little bar cart, which is actually a vintage tea trolley—but I don’t drink nearly enough tea to require a whole piece of furniture for it.)

After a December of way too much drinking, feasting and (gulp) spending, January is a bleak month in more ways than one—and it can be easy to lean on certain foods for comfort and affordability. We had an unofficial ramen expert level-up six kinds of instant noods using standard pantry staples (and, in one instance, Sprite), taking them from depressing desk lunches to filling meals.

In the latest issue: 71 insider tips and tricks to make life in Toronto easier, cheaper, faster, slower, tastier, smarter and way more fun. Plus, the story of a whistleblower cop, the city’s most hated landlord, a guide to zhuzhing up instant ramen, and more. Still not receiving Toronto Life at home? Subscribe today.