Happy New Year: This Champagne Substitute Won’t Wreck Your Dry January Goals
What is it about New Years and champagne that go hand in hand?
Is it just me, or is holding a glass of bubbly, golden, sparkling champagne in your hand akin to holding a wish?
Like, if you were going to turn the idea of a wish into a thing it would look just like a glass of champagne?
So gorgeous, right?
But then again, champagne isn’t always all its cracked up to be.
Too much, and you get a headache.
Anything more than a few ounces is going to put a strain on your liver—and if your body is working hard to get rid of toxins from alcohol, it can’t use its resources to get rid of the OTHER toxins in our environment that make their way into our bodies.
I love champagne, but I’m keeping the promise to myself of doing Dry January, so for now, no champagne for me!
But what should you get instead?
Now, if you’re like most people, your experience of sparkling wine (champagne alternatives) is limited to the stuff you get in the grocery store that usually gets relegated to the kids’ table at Thanksgiving.
But I wanted to find a more adult kind of bubbly–something that you wouldn’t think put in a hummingbird feeder when it goes flat (like sugar water).
Our Review Of CRUSE Dealcoholized Wine
My daughter and I decided to try CRUSE Dealcoholized Wine to celebrate the New Year—not technically champagne, but for us, it was a great option for a champagne alternative.
CRUSE Dealcoholized Wine is made in Landrias France, and I had the good fortune of picking up a bottle at Total Wine (hint: Total Wine has a GREAT non-alcoholic beverage section, if you happen to have a store near you).
At around ten dollars, the price point seemed pretty good–certainly a lot less than other alcohol-free beverages, but more than the “bubbly grape juice” you can get on sale at the grocery store for three bucks.
We had so much fun popping the cork. The ACTUAL cork.
No screw top here.
And I was especially happy to be able to share a glass with my daughter without reservation.
We even broke out the champagne glasses from my wedding (10 years ago, now!), and she LOVED how fancy she got to feel holding the glass. (Drink with your pinkies up, people!)
The color of CRUSE Dealcoholized Wine is golden, and bubbles are pleasantly tingly (and so pretty to see!). So it’s VERY satisfying to pour a glass and have the sense that you’re indulging in something decadent, lively, and fun.
But…the big question. Does CRUSE Dealcoholized Wine taste like real champagne?
Does CRUSE Dealcoholized Wine Taste Like The Real Thing?
Friends, I am in total shock.
I am DUPED! Just look at these bubbles!
This is such a convincing champagne alternative that I kept feeling like I should be more foggy and tired than I was!
The taste is very tart, crisp, and bracing–green apple like crazy (I love green apples).
But no boozy after effects, so I could enjoy it while I was working on this blog post!
So this is a nonalcoholic champagne alternative (sparkling wine) that is def on my recommended list.
f you have Total Wine near you, you can grab it there (aisle 15 in my store).
Or you can order online (but there might be a minimum).
Someday, I’d love for you to be able to order it easily right here.
A dream for a new year, for sure.
Enjoy!
Disclosure: I may earn a small commission on purchases made from links on this site (I only link to products I would use). My family and I cannot thank you enough for your support of my efforts to spread the words about nonalcoholic beverages for adults!
