October has arrived — the month of spooky season, yes — but also "Sober October," a trendy opportunity to give your body a rest from alcohol, should you choose to partake.
Non-alcoholic options have become popular — whether you're taking a break from drinking or simply wanting to drink less.
Hilary Sheinbaum, author of "The Dry Challenge: How to Lose the Booze for Dry January, Sober October, and Any Other Alcohol-Free Month," published in 2020, told USA TODAY earlier this year that she drinks NA cocktails year-round.
"Even if I'm not doing a dry month, these are so helpful because you can enjoy a delicious drink without a buzz," she said. "NA beverages also make get-togethers, restaurant menus, parties and life events more inclusive for drinkers and nondrinkers alike."
And there are plenty of cocktails to concoct at home sans booze — including some from alcohol brands that are now offering NA options.
Here are seven to try during Sober October, or any other time, for that matter.
Forget 'Dry January':Alcohol-free beer, wine, cocktails are available year round and are gaining popularity
Going 'Sober October'? Tips to get the most out of the booze-free challenge
Sheinbaum recently created a NA cocktail recipe that's perfectly fit for the season that she's dubbed "Peachy Pumpkin." She shared the recipe with USA TODAY.
Dan Magro, the author of "Suck It Up: Extraordinary Cocktails for Everyday People" created a cocktail for brand Freixenet, which has come out with a non-alcoholic sparkling wine. Magro's recipe features refreshing flavors such as cucumber and apple, to be poured over homemade sorbet.
Green Apple Cucumber Sorbet ingredients
Green Apple Cucumber Sorbet instructions:
Ivy Mix, the co-founder of Speed Rack and co-owner and head bartender of Brooklyn's Leyenda, a James Beard Award-nominated bar, created a Sober October cocktail for CleanCo, a non-alcoholic spirit brand, called the "Cleantini."
The Moneyball, crafted by bartender Javelle Taft, is having a moment on Death & Co NYC's menu now.
Combine ingredients in shaker and pour over a large ice cube in an old fashioned glass. Garnish with an orange slice.
Mixer brand Fever Tree shared this NA cocktail recipe with USA TODAY from its Fever-Tree Easy Mixing Recipe Book.
Mixologist Sara Emami designed the Lavender Fields cocktail to be listed on Laurel Tavern's menu in Studio City, California, in partnership with Fever-Tree, which shared her NA cocktail recipe with USA TODAY.
This mocktail, created and shared by NA liquor brand Ritual Zero Proof, reads like an NA autumn dream.