Dry January is what happens when curiosity, wellness, and hydration collide and honestly, I’m here for all three. If you’ve already jumped in, proud of you. If you haven’t, this isn’t a hotel you don’t have to ‘check in’ on the first day to participate. Join whenever, stay long, leave early, dip a toe instead of diving whatever fits your life and your nervous system.
This month, I’m taking Dry January on a little mental vacation. The weather outside may not be Santorini-level dreamy, but in our minds (and our glasses), we’re heading straight to Greece. And we’re packing two waters that could not be more Greek if they tried:
Souroti Sparkling Water and Ydor Spring Water
One is bubbly, legendary, and kind of feels like it’s been poured straight out of Zeus’s personal pantry.
The other is soft, classic, refreshing, and proof that Greece’s mountains produce more than just dramatic mythology.
Let’s explore both — and then let’s make mocktails, because there’s no rule that says Dry January has to be boring.
Meet Souroti — Greece’s Sparkling Icon
Souroti is one of those brands that Greeks don’t explain they just hand you a bottle and wait for you to get it.
Sourced from the village of Souroti in northern Greece (near Thessaloniki), this water has been naturally carbonated and bottled for over a century. Its volcanic geological surroundings contribute to its mineral profile and give it that crisp, authentic sparkle that pairs flawlessly with food especially grilled seafood and salty mezze. It’s also known for some gentle digestive support thanks to naturally occurring calcium and magnesium.
Flavor-wise, Souroti doesn’t try to be flashy. The bubbles are firm but not aggressive — clean, mineral-forward, and grounding. There’s no added carbonation, no flavoring, no tricks. Just Greek water with Greek minerals doing Greek things. It’s also one of the best sparkling waters to elevate mocktails because it gives structure without becoming syrupy or masking other ingredients.
If sparkling waters went to finishing school, Souroti graduated with honors.
Meet Ydor — The Understated Spring Classic
If Souroti is the sparkling extrovert, Ydor is the serene introvert smooth, spring-sourced, and timeless.
Ydor comes from mountainous regions of Greece that have been collecting and filtering rainfall through rock and soil layers for decades or centuries. The result is a beautifully soft spring water with a balanced mineral profile that doesn’t get in the way of food or flavor. It carries just enough calcium and magnesium to create “mouthfeel” (yes, water sommeliers talk about mouthfeel), without veering into salty or bitter territory.
Ydor is refreshing, hydrating, and wonderful for sipping throughout the day — especially if you’re replacing wine or cocktails this month and don’t want something loud in your glass 24/7. It also plays beautifully in mocktails as a dilution tool that doesn’t dilute the experience.
This is the kind of water that reminds you you’re alive without shouting about it.
Dry January, Greek Style — Mocktails, Please
Because this is #DryJanuary and we are still chasing pleasure, here are some fun, easy, and Greek-inspired recipes you can try.
1. Souroti Hellenic Spritz
Sparkling, herbal, bright, and honestly feels like it belongs in a wine glass.
Ingredients:
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4–6 oz Souroti Sparkling Water
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2 oz white grape juice
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0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
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1 sprig fresh rosemary or thyme
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Lemon slice for garnish
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Ice
How to Make:
Fill a wine glass with ice, add grape juice and lemon, stir gently, top with Souroti, garnish with herbs.
Feels like Santorini at sunset.
2. Souroti Cucumber Fizz
For the people who love spa water but want it to taste expensive.
Ingredients:
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Souroti Sparkling Water
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1 oz fresh lime juice
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3–4 cucumber slices
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Tiny pinch of sea salt (trust the somm)
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Ice
How to Make:
Muddle the cucumber lightly, add lime, pinch of salt, then ice and Souroti.
Refreshing, mineral-driven, balanced.
3. Ydor Mountain Tea Cooler
Fun fact: Mountain tea (sideritis) is a staple in Greece and it pairs beautifully with spring water.
Ingredients:
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Ydor Spring Water (chilled)
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4 oz cooled Greek mountain tea (unsweetened or lightly sweetened)
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Honey (optional)
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Lemon peel
How to Make:
Brew tea, chill it, mix with Ydor over ice, add lemon peel.
Soft, floral, calming.
4. Ydor Fig & Basil Refresher
Because figs are basically Greece’s candy.
Ingredients:
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Ydor Spring Water
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1–2 tsp fig syrup or mashed fresh fig
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Basil leaves
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Ice
How to Make:
Muddle basil with fig, add ice, top with Ydor, stir.
Sweet, herbal, subtle — great with snacks.
Why Travel Through Water?
Dry January isn’t just about removing alcohol — it’s about reintroducing curiosity to drinking again. Most of us don’t realize how much of social drinking is ritual:
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the glassware
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the bubbles
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the garnish
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the story
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the moment
Waters like Souroti and Ydor give you the same ritual without the foggy morning or the internal negotiation. They bring terroir, minerals, geology, and culture to the table — literally.
If you let water become a sensory experience instead of an obligation, Dry January becomes easier (and honestly, more fun). And if you fall off and have a drink this month, don’t overthink it — it’s not a religion. Just pick up your glass of Greek bubbles and keep going.
Where to Find These Waters
Souroti Sparkling and Ydor Spring are both available at specialty importers and curated water shops — and of course online at places like salaciousdrinks.com, where we care deeply about the journey of water, not just the bottle it comes in.
Whether you’re doing Dry January for your liver, your skin, your sleep, your sanity, or just for fun — Greece is a beautiful place to take your tastebuds.
Cheers to staying hydrated, staying curious, and maybe booking a flight to Athens when the month is over.
Opa! 🥂🇬🇷