Dry January, Reimagined: Functional Mushrooms Without the Gimmicks
Jan 08, 2026
By Matthew Eaton
Chief Beverage Officer, Sēkwl Beverage House
Dry January has become one of the most popular wellness resets of the year. After weeks of holiday parties, late nights, rich food, and one too many “just one more” moments, a lot of us hit January craving something simpler. Clearer mornings. Better sleep. More energy that doesn’t feel borrowed.
For some, Dry January is about completely stepping away from alcohol. For others, it’s a chance to explore non-alcoholic options that feel intentional, not like a diet or restriction that leaves you feeling depleted. Winter is the perfect time for rejuvenation, but in a way that supports you during these colder, darker months. And that’s where things have really started to shift.
Why More People Are Choosing to Go Dry (or Drier)
Dry January isn’t just about cutting alcohol. It’s about curiosity and supporting our bodies. We talk to a lot of customers, and we’re hearing a lot of the same questions:
- How do I want to feel this month as I head into 2026?
- What happens if I give my body a break?
- Can I still enjoy a drink without the alcohol?
Instead of white-knuckling their way through social events with plain soda water, more people are discovering non-alcoholic drinks that still offer great flavor, complexity, and function – without sugar bombs, artificial ingredients, or empty calories.
The goal isn’t deprivation or punishment. It’s better choices that feel restorative - and we all deserve that!
Enter Functional Mushrooms (No Hype Required)
Functional mushrooms have been used for centuries, long before they became a buzzword. At Sēkwl, we use them in our sparkling craft seltzers for one simple reason: they support balance.
No stimulants. No shortcuts. Just plant-based ingredients that work with your body, not against it. Depending on the flavor, our blends feature mushrooms like:
- Lion’s Mane for focus and clarity
- Cordyceps for natural energy and stamina
- Reishi for calm and restoration
- Turkey Tail for body balance
- Chaga for system regulation
Why Dry January Is the Perfect Time to Try Something Different
January is when habits are still soft and flexible. It’s the best time to experiment. It’s also the time of year when we should all look inward and build supportive systems and habits to help us have a successful and productive rest of the year.
Maybe you swap your usual evening drink for a Cacao ritual to wind down without alcohol. Maybe, for happy hour with friends, pour our Chamomile craft seltzer to really enjoy the scent, or enjoy a mocktail of Cranberry Lime craft seltzer on the rocks with a lime wedge. What if you discover that you don’t actually miss the booze – you just missed having something intentional to sip. Sēkwl has got your back… grab a can and see for yourself.
That’s the shift we’re seeing more and more: people using Dry January not as a pause button, but as a reset that leads to better rituals year-round.
Our Sēkwl Take
Dry January doesn’t need gimmicks, shame, or rules you can’t wait to break. It can be:
- A month of clearer mornings
- A chance to explore non-alcoholic options that actually taste great and are body beneficial
- A reminder that small rituals add up
Functional mushrooms aren’t a trend for us. They’re just one way we help people find better balance, one sip at a time.
Whether you’re fully dry, mostly dry, or just more intentional this January, there’s room for you here! Come join us!
Matthew 🍄✨
