Dry January, the Italian Way: Aperitivo Without the Alcohol

Dry January asks you to give up alcohol for a month, usually just after you have spent December eating and drinking too well. The usual advice is to cling to a glass of fizzy water and look forlorn at the bar. There is a better approach, and Italy has been quietly practising it for generations.

Italian aperitivo is not really about alcohol. It is about the pause before dinner, something bitter or bright to wake up the appetite, and a little something to nibble. That ritual works just as well without a drop of spirit.

What Is Dry January?

Dry January is a month without alcohol, popularised in the UK by the charity Alcohol Change UK (previously Alcohol Concern), which first ran it in 2013. Millions of people now take part, for reasons that range from saving money to simply wanting a break. It also happens to be a good moment to rethink how a night out works.

The challenge for restaurants and bars is that so many evenings are built around the first drink. If you are dry for the month, the ritual can feel missing. That is where aperitivo helps.

What Aperitivo Actually Means

Aperitivo comes from the Latin for “to open”. It is the early evening habit of a light, often bitter drink and small bites before dinner, intended to open the appetite rather than flatten it. The drink is only half the point: the other half is the pause, the company and the snacks.

That is why Italy has a long tradition of alcohol-free aperitivi too. Small bottled bitter-orange drinks and other low-key sodas are a normal sight at an Italian bar, ordered by people who simply do not want alcohol that evening. Nobody makes a fuss.

Three Alcohol-Free Aperitivo Ideas to Make at Home

You do not need special equipment, and none of these claim to copy any particular bottled drink. They are simply built in the spirit of aperitivo: bright, bitter-leaning and not too sweet.

Blood orange and rosemary spritz

Fill a wine glass with ice, add the juice of one blood orange (or a regular orange in a pinch) and a splash of tonic, then top with soda water. Add a sprig of rosemary and a strip of orange peel. Serve well chilled.

Limonata and mint

Pour a good Italian lemon soda over ice, add a squeeze of fresh lemon and a few mint leaves. Press the mint lightly first so it releases its oils. It is very simple, and very refreshing.

Tonic with citrus and olive

Serve tonic water over plenty of ice with a long strip of lemon peel and a green olive on a stick. The slight bitterness and savoury note feels grown up rather than sweet.

Eating Well During Dry January

If you are dry for the month, the food does more of the work, so choose dishes you will really enjoy. An antipasto to share, a plate of fresh pasta and a proper main course turn an evening without wine into a proper dinner. Our guide to fresh pasta in Edinburgh is a good place to start.

Small plates also fit the aperitivo spirit. Bread and olives, bruschetta or a cheese selection give you something to share while you decide on dinner, and our à la carte menu has all of these.

What We Pour at Divino for a Dry Month

We should be upfront about this: wine is what Divino does best, and our alcohol-free list is short. On the current drinks list you will find Birra Moretti 0.0%, two mocktails (The Caribbean, made with orange and pineapple juice and grenadine, and a Shirley Temple), a selection of juices and mixers, and San Pellegrino Limonata.

That is a modest selection rather than a full alcohol-free bar, so we would rather say so than overpromise. If you are dry for January, the cellar room, the food and the company are what carry the evening here. Our guide to Divino’s vaulted setting explains why that is worth the trip.

Make It Feel Like an Occasion

Half of what makes a drink feel special is how it is served. Use a proper glass rather than a tumbler, fill it with plenty of ice and add a garnish, whether that is orange peel, rosemary or a green olive. A drink that looks like an aperitivo feels like one.

Pacing matters too. Sip it slowly while you look at the menu, and treat it as the start of the evening rather than a stand-in for something else.

Dining Out Without Drinking: A Few Tips

Going out dry is easier with a few habits.

• Order something first: a drink in your hand before the food arrives stops you feeling left out.
• Share antipasti: it slows the pace and gives the table something to do.
• Pick a bitter or citrus drink: it feels more like an aperitivo than a sweet soft drink.
• Tell the team: they can point you to the best of what is available.

When the month is over and wine is back on the table, our guide to pairing wine with Italian food is a good next read.

Book a Table

If January is your dry month, book a table at Divino and make the food the main event. Mention that you are not drinking and we will point you towards what we have. We are at 5 Merchant Street, in the Old Town, and you can call us on (0131) 225 1770.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dry January?

A month without alcohol in January, run in the UK by the charity Alcohol Change UK since 2013.

What is aperitivo?

An Italian early evening ritual of a light, often bitter drink and small bites before dinner, meant to open the appetite.

What can I drink at Divino during Dry January?

Our drinks list includes Birra Moretti 0.0%, two mocktails, juices, mixers and San Pellegrino Limonata. It is a short list, so check the drinks menu before you visit.

Can you make an alcohol-free spritz at home?

Yes. Blood orange juice, a splash of tonic and soda water over ice with rosemary makes a simple, bright version.

Is Italian food good for a dry month?

Italian dining is built around sharing and long meals, so it suits an evening where the food is the focus.