The sober curious movement is gaining traction across the world, and more and more people are embracing alternatives to alcohol for a variety of reasons. For some, it is the removal of the effects of one too many drinks; others are living a healthier lifestyle or recovering from alcohol addiction. Others simply don’t like the taste or enjoy the feeling of being drunk. But whatever your reason, if you are interested in trying the sober lifestyle, you’re not alone. Plus, embracing a sober lifestyle can lead to improved mental and physical health, better sleep, and a more balanced life.
Who is jumping on board? A significant portion of Gen Z is currently embracing the trend more actively than other age groups. However, millennials are also jumping on board and embracing a life with little to no alcohol.
If you’re curious about the vast array of options available to replace your favourite alcoholic beverages, you’re in for an exciting journey. There’s a diverse range of alcohol-free drinks that people are turning to, making it easier than ever to embrace a sober lifestyle without feeling like you’re missing out.
Cannabis Drinks
An alternative to edibles, drinks infused with cannabis can take effect faster and provide you with that buzz for a great night, but without the side effects of alcohol the next morning. Drinks like this herbal oasis social tonic allow you to remain part of the party atmosphere, giving you a mild high without consuming alcohol. Plus, typically, these drinks can be lower in calories and sugar, making them a healthier alternative to sugar-laden cocktails, for example. It’s worth trying it out if you’re already using cannabis products as an alternative to alcoholic seltzers and see what you think.
Mocktails
Opting for virgin alternatives to your favourite drinks can help you keep a clear head while still enjoying the tastes of some of your favourite cocktails. Not all drinks explicitly work without alcohol a considerable amount of, and there are even different mocktails for the alcohol-free crowd to increase options. Whether you peruse the mocktail menu at your next social gathering or venue, or you create a sober-friendly version of your favourites at home, mocktails are a great way to still feel like part of the culture and drinking scene without partaking in the drinking. There are so many great mocktails to try, including Virgin Pina Colada, Shirley Temple, a mango mule without vodka, and so many more.
Alcohol-Free Wines, Beers and Spirits
If you love the taste of your favourite alcoholic drinks but want to avoid the side effects, consider choosing the alcohol-free versions. These options not only allow you to enjoy the flavours you love, but they also offer significant health benefits. Whether you’re trying to cut back on alcohol or simply want to alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, these alternatives can help you maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
You can find many alcoholic-free alternatives to your favourite drinks. Brands like Athletic Brewing offer alcoholic versions of their beverages; you can purchase Budweiser Zero, Corona Cero, and Guinness 0.0. You can also buy Monday Zero Alcohol Gin, Seedlip beverages, or Non-Alcoholic Negroni if you wish instead.
Kombucha
Kombucha isn’t really an alcohol-free alternative, but it’s an effervescent drink that can look, well, like an alcoholic drink and give you more enjoyment in your glass than another Coke or Sprite.
Why is kombucha recommended as a non-alcoholic alternative? It has a strong flavour and a fermented potency that can be appealing to cider or beer drinkers. And with its subtle fizz and probiotics, you can appease your taste buds and your gut and still enjoy your nights out without having to stick to boring alternatives.
FYI: Due to the fermentation, kombucha can have trace amounts of alcohol in it. However, it’s not enough to get you drunk.
Spritz
Traditional spritz is an alcoholic drink hailing from the shores of Italy. A mix of soda water, prosecco, and digestive bitters, it’s been a popular drink for many years. But swapping out the prosecco for alternatives such as grape juice can still give you a refreshing sparkling drink without the alcohol. Alternatively, you can use non-alcoholic prosecco or sparkling wine to make your drink instead of grape juice.
Adaptogen Drinks
Adaptogen drinks are drinks infused with herbs or mushrooms and are believed to help the body cope with stress. Much like the cannabis-infused drinks mentioned above, they come in various styles, including sodas, non-alcoholic spirits, beers, and wines, as well as teas and kombucha blends.
The reason they can be an excellent alcohol alternative is that they can potentially boost your mood, giving you the buzz you need from drinking without the side effects that often come with alcoholic versions of drinks.
Recess, Magic Mind, Clevr, and Moon Juice are some brands selling drinks containing some of the more common adaptogens on the market, including American ginseng, ashwagandha, and Asian ginseng.
Sparkling Water
Flavoured sparkling water is specifically recommended if plain sparkling water isn’t to your liking. If you like the fizz but don’t want the buzz that comes with seltzers, then choosing to drink flavoured sparkling water can be a refreshing and simple alternative to drinking.
You can infuse the water with fruits, herbs, spices, or anything else you wish to create fun flavours you can enjoy. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also try making your own flavoured sparkling water at home. It’s a fun and straightforward process that allows you to customise your drink to your liking. But if creating your own drinks doesn’t appeal to you, there are copious varieties of flavoured sparkling water to enjoy at your next gathering to help you stay off the hard stuff.
Embracing the sober lifestyle isn’t for everyone, and whether you want to investigate how these drinks can help you cut down on your drinking or replace alcohol entirely, these suggestions can fill that void and give you some delicious drinks to try so that you don’t even realise you’re not getting drunk.
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