Sips

Here’s How To Succeed At Dry January (Win!)

January 3, 2022

Among our New Year’s Resolutions is to ditch the hangover and give up alcohol for one month, and our friends at Opus are helping. Founded by Vancouverite and internationally award-winning mixologist Christos Kalaitzis, Opus alcohol-free is available in two delicious flavours and have zero calories, zero sugar, zero carbs and zero gluten. We chatted with Christos to find out more. —Noa Nichol

Hi Christos! Please tell us a bit about yourself to start.

I am the founder and CEO of Opus Expertly Handcrafted Cocktails. Our mission is to create a safe and sustainable environment for everyone to be able to have the exact same cocktail experience with or without alcohol! One of the most important things for me as an entrepreneur is to do our part and support our community as much as possible. One of our initiatives is planting a tree for every box sold, as well as participating in local events and supporting local non-profit organizations. This New Year, Opus is participating in the DryFeb campaign for the Canadian Cancer Society by forming a DryFeb team to raise money in support of cancer research.

When and why did you launch Opus? What niche were/are you aiming to fill?

Opus launched in July 2021; I was inspired to create an alcohol-free cocktail after I noticed a movement of patrons asking for non-alcoholic drinks disguised as an alcoholic one to avoid unwanted comments from friends. I wanted to show the world that alcohol-free cocktails can be as flavourful and fun as an alcoholic one! After 16 years of working behind the bar all over the world, and researching and developing beverages for global brands, I decided to do this for myself and start Opus.

What products do you currently offer, and what makes them unique (and better than a simple soda water and lime)?

Opus is 100 per cent handcrafted and made with real spices and herbs! It has zero sugar and zero calories, and is also gluten free and keto friendly. Our packaging is also super sustainable as our boxes are made out of 100 per cent recyclable paper and the main reason for that is wanting to stay away from the plastic rings that you frequently see in the market. Currently we have the Gin and Tonic and Aperitivo Spritz in both alcohol and non-alcoholic varieties. And there are some exciting new cocktails coming out soon …

Dry January is nearly upon us; any tips for making it 31 days alcohol free?

It is not about the number of days! It might be one, 15, 31, 365. The number is just a number. It is all about what your gut is telling you to do and being happy with the decision you make as long as you know that you have a healthy relationship with alcohol.

drinkopus.com

Win! A $140 Opus Gift Basket!

Congrats Giannina P. of Vancouver, BC, who will receive a $140 Opus gift basket, including Cocktail Glasses, Opus products (both non-alcohol and alcoholic beverages) and an Opus T-shirt (must be 19 years or older; proof of DOB required to claim prize)! Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadaily.ca. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.

share:

  1. Amber olak

    January 4th, 2022 at 9:07 am

    Prosecco. Surrey BC

    @amber_olak

  2. Talwinder Mangat

    January 4th, 2022 at 9:10 am

    Beer

    @tommangat

  3. Christie

    January 4th, 2022 at 10:06 am

    Caesar is one of my favourite drinks to sip on. @ChrissyBear30

    Prince George BC

  4. Jan Griese

    January 4th, 2022 at 10:27 am

    Anything Opus! I would love to try the gin and tonic because if I’m drinking, that is my favourite. @try.painting

  5. Nina Pagniello

    January 4th, 2022 at 10:30 am

    This year I have been enjoying Vermouth on the rocks as my go to drink! But, I would love to try Opus! My insta is @lovetosavecanada.
    Happy New Year!!

  6. Nina

    January 4th, 2022 at 10:31 am

    This year I have been enjoying Vermouth on the rocks as my go to drink! But, I would love to try Opus! My insta is @lovetosavecanada.
    Happy New Year!!

  7. So La

    January 4th, 2022 at 11:10 am

    G&Ts! @farting_frog

  8. Florence Cochrane

    January 4th, 2022 at 11:18 am

    Vodka and orange juice @fossie55 Happy New Year

  9. Ashley

    January 4th, 2022 at 11:56 am

    Loving Opus aperol spritz!!!
    @_amendoza

  10. Debbie Flynn

    January 4th, 2022 at 12:41 pm

    I like the Gin and Tonic non-alcoholic – no hangover and 0 calories. @missycat11

  11. Kirsten Lyon

    January 4th, 2022 at 1:47 pm

    Orange juice! @lyonkirstennn

  12. Janet M

    January 4th, 2022 at 2:06 pm

    I like berry drinks. @asherares

  13. Nina

    January 4th, 2022 at 2:47 pm

    Aperol spritz is actually my fave! ??
    @feed_me_nina

  14. Diana Cook

    January 4th, 2022 at 2:58 pm

    Like to sip on tea but love trying new nonalcoholic drinks!

  15. Diana Cook

    January 4th, 2022 at 3:04 pm

    WRINKLES4180 for Instagram!
    I like to sip on tea but love to try nonalcoholic drinks!

  16. kristen s.

    January 4th, 2022 at 4:02 pm

    When I’m not doing a dry month (like now) my go-to order is a French 75. – @actually_kristen

  17. Vanessa Ripley

    January 4th, 2022 at 6:24 pm

    Margaritas
    @vannarip

  18. Jennifer Wilson

    January 4th, 2022 at 7:44 pm

    I like sipping gin and tonic.
    @jenn20wilson

  19. Xu Liang Li

    January 4th, 2022 at 8:00 pm

    red wine! @liangliangcanada

  20. Micheline

    January 4th, 2022 at 8:11 pm

    I like to sip on Baileys.

    winniehook4

  21. Shirley

    January 4th, 2022 at 11:00 pm

    Sparkling wine

    @shirlng22

  22. Chanel M

    January 5th, 2022 at 4:19 am

    Cider
    @chanelkate

  23. Tabby72

    January 5th, 2022 at 6:28 am

    I like tea! @tabby_1972

  24. Jennifer Choong

    January 5th, 2022 at 6:42 am

    Would love to try the Non alcoholic Gin & Tonic
    @mmchoong

  25. Jennifer

    January 5th, 2022 at 6:46 am

    Gin & Tonic sounds yumm??
    @mmchoong

  26. Jennifer

    January 5th, 2022 at 6:50 am

    Love Gin & Tonic!
    @mmchoong

  27. Jacque

    January 5th, 2022 at 7:01 am

    I looove a good moscow mule and sangria and now starting to get into Gin and Tonic yum!

  28. Danielle Thompson

    January 5th, 2022 at 9:59 am

    Fav drink to sip is sangria, and or non alcoholic Sparkling wine during dry February.

  29. Cyndi Ingle

    January 5th, 2022 at 2:41 pm

    I love wine and would love to try Opus! My insta is: cyndilingle

  30. Leonardo Dell'Anno

    January 5th, 2022 at 7:25 pm

    I love to sip on a really good Old Fashioned My Instagram is @Usual_Suspect_Guy

  31. Lillian

    January 6th, 2022 at 9:55 am

    I like a nice light white wine on ig lillianmb23

  32. Sandra Lebeau

    January 6th, 2022 at 7:43 pm

    SANGRIA @lebeau5450

  33. Marilyn

    January 8th, 2022 at 10:47 am

    White wine
    @marilyn_kaluza

  34. Kandace K

    January 8th, 2022 at 2:34 pm

    Gin and tonic @photoklutz

  35. Eileen @604girl

    January 8th, 2022 at 2:44 pm

    Always sipping on tea. @604girl

  36. Rachel C.

    January 9th, 2022 at 9:23 am

    Sangria!

    @seafoodmwg on ig

  37. Carolyn Metz

    January 9th, 2022 at 3:49 pm

    My fav is white zin

    I am in Southern Alberta, IG is cmcleodmetz

  38. Suzie b

    January 11th, 2022 at 4:47 am

    I love a classic gin and tonic

    Sbabij

  39. Mary Lou MacKenzie

    January 11th, 2022 at 7:57 am

    Baileys, in my coffee, is my favourite drink to sip on! Thanks for the chance to win this lovely gift basket & Happy New Year! @mackenziemarylou

  40. Ron

    January 11th, 2022 at 1:35 pm

    Vodka Martini

    @fomodachi

  41. Thérèse De Bellefeuille

    January 12th, 2022 at 10:14 am

    WINE

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