Dry January at work: an alcohol-free after-work that holds up
Dry January in brief
Dry January, known in France as the Défi de janvier, invites people not to drink alcohol for the whole of January. At work, it is the right moment for an after-work where nobody has to justify themselves. An 8-canapé reception, savoury and sweet, costs €29.90 excl. VAT per person, which is €627 excl. VAT delivery included for 20 people. The mocktail bar is quoted on request, set-up and clearing away included.
What we serve instead of alcohol
The trap is replacing the wine with a bottle of water and an orange juice. What works: a mocktail bar, where a bartender makes every glass to order with citrus, fresh fruit, herbs and house syrups. For the toast, a 0% Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay. On self-service, a 10-litre dispenser of lime and ginger infusion, and Alain Milliat nectars: apricot, peach, mango.
Why it is simple with us
At L'Écrin Traiteur the menu is alcohol-free all year round, and the savoury food is halal and pork-free. Dry January needs no adjustment: the same canapés, the same drinks, the same service. An alcohol-free drinks party includes everyone: those who never drink, those who are driving and those who would rather not discuss it.
Organisation and timing
Avoid the first week of January, usually taken up by new-year speeches and the galette. The second or third week, between 6 and 8 pm, works well. Order until 2 pm the day before, delivered from 6:30 am across Paris and Île-de-France; from 50 people, or across several sites, 48 hours' notice is recommended. For the mocktail bar, ask for the quote a few days ahead.
