The odd harmony of Arise finds a fitting home in Aplos Kola Fashioned, an earthy, cucumbery mocktail layered with warm spices and ginger that stings the nose. Some tasters were put off, finding the aroma reminiscent of mothballs. But tasters who liked it found it to be an interesting, if a bit perplexing, warming drink. Feragaia is a bright, light (don’t let the dark bottle fool you), botanical spirit made in Scotland. It opens with complex florals of chrysanthemum, layered with spice and sting from the cayenne.
The rise of ‘sober curiosity:’ Why Gen Zers are reducing their alcohol consumption
- The “sober curious” movement isn’t about flaming prohibition—it’s a conscious, personalized approach to alcohol—often marked by moderation, reflection, and vibrant alternatives.
- Generous flavors of vanilla and toasted nuts with herbal notes provide a complexity, offset by a long mellow finish.
- Bitters & Soda Grapefruit was too one-note, like a simple seltzer, and Bitters & Soda Classic Dry Aromatic was too dry, tasting of mouthwash.
- A squeeze of citrus elevates it to a refreshing, tart, woodsy drink that we love to sip.
- Of those who do drink, the largest portion of young Europeans (defined as over the legal drinking age up to 39) drinks once a month (27%), while in the US, the biggest group drink once a week (25%).
Where bars and clubs were once alcohol-centric, the new social spaces prioritize community, creativity, and wellness. At places where alcohol is served, it can be dangerous for those who are struggling sober curious with alcohol use disorder or alcohol abuse to accidentally be served an actual drink. Beyond the risk of accidental inebriation, not drinking at an establishment designed for drinking is hard.
Need ideas? Here are some alcohol-free activities our editors enjoy.
It’s a way for responsibly-minded guests to still get a buzz on without completely letting go of their inhibitions. Influencers have shared their experiences with “dry months” and the subsequent improved mental clarity and productivity, inspiring others to follow suit. These open discussions have highlighted a growing recognition that alcohol often hinders, than than helps, in managing anxiety, getting quality sleep and staying emotionally resilient. Historically, public awareness of such risks, specifically the links to cancer, has been low. A review of 32 studies across 16 countries found that awareness of alcohol as a cancer risk factor was generally low, with some variation heroin addiction across regions. According to the World Health Organization, alcohol is linked to more than 200 health conditions, including cancer and liver disease.
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Derek Brown, a National Academy of Sports Medicine-certified wellness coach and author of the organization’s new mindful drinking course, shares one of his favorites below. These alternatives are all part of a larger conversation about how we manage our mental health, engage with consciousness, and navigate social expectations. The number and variety of zero- and low-alcohol beverages, a once-lagging category that academics and the World Health Organization refer to as “NoLos,” has exploded in the past five-plus years.
But as we started pouring, it was very reasonable to split a can or bottle, especially when you poured it over ice (hence why a 12-pack of bottles is touted as a 24-drink pack). Each bottle comes with a tip on how best to garnish the cocktail, which is way fancier than I can keep up with! When industry giants start pouring millions into non-alcoholic alternatives, you know the shift is real. Traditional beverage companies are watching their market share erode as nimble startups capture the imagination of consumers who want sophisticated flavor without the spinning room.
To him, that means treating products that taste and look just like alcohol with the same discretion as those that actually contain alcohol. Seedlip’s mission is to change the way the world drinks with the highest quality non-alcoholic options. We love the Kin Spritz – the perfect amount of carbonation with the right balance of sweet + bitterness. Keep a few cans in the fridge and grab on the go, or pour over some ice and sip in your favorite cocktail glass.
Suddenly, I had extra cash for the things that genuinely made me happy, like trips, self-care splurges, or even just saving for something special. When you stop drinking, you have to face tough and scary situations without alcohol and that helped me grown an innate confidence that’s stayed with me. Sticking to the recommended 14 units per week can help you maintain balance while staying mindful.
- And in general, he adds, people don’t care whether you drink or not.
- Some of these alternatives people are choosing instead, because they might not have those same effects that alcohol specifically has on them.
- “This allows us to meet the needs of those who want to (completely) abstain from alcohol completely for health, personal or religious reasons.” CleanCo’s beverages are sugar-free, low calorie and made using only natural ingredients.
The potential health benefits
You may like this drink if you go for forest-floor flavors, and we should note that several experts recommended it to us. Remarkably well balanced, this canned, carbonated aperitivo does bittersweet better than most drinks we’ve tested. One of the more complex, balanced aperitifs we tasted, Ghia boasts grapefruit-like bitterness, herbal notes, and a gingery kick.
Improved Quality of Alcohol Free Options
- In this way, conscious gathering could help address issues such as drunk driving or alcohol-related sexual assault, Warrington said.
- And Golden Hour was botanical, punchy, and refreshing — what I thought was a strong ginger flavor was really yuzu, bergamot, and hops.
- Communicating your intentions and boundaries with friends, family, and event organizers is crucial in maintaining a sober lifestyle during social events.
- Plenty of people can’t pick up sobriety and safely set it aside later, no matter how tough it gets.
Generous flavors of vanilla and toasted nuts with herbal notes provide a complexity, offset by a long mellow finish. Lyre is a great, non-alcoholic alternative to bourbon that can be enjoyed neat, in an old-fashioned, or mixed with your favorite cola. Gut health has been all the rage recently, whether it be fermented foods, pre- and probiotics, and, well, cutting back on alcohol.
Select Mocktails and Alcohol-Free Alternatives
Celebrities endorsing NA beverages have only amplified the visibility of this lifestyle. From Tom Holland’s non-alcoholic beer brand BERO to Lewis Hamilton’s Almave and Luann de Lesseps’s Fosé, these products have made mindful drinking feel more culturally celebrated. The rise of non-alcoholic beers, zero-proof spirits, and elaborate mocktail recipes reflects this cultural shift. In fact, dry bars are popping up left and right, offering full menus of creative alcohol-free cocktails. Even celebrities are jumping on board—launching or sponsoring their own non-alcoholic beers and beverages, which has helped push this movement further into the spotlight. When it comes to being sober curious during the holidays, there are a variety of non-alcoholic beverages to choose from, whether you are looking for a sweet mocktail, a functional beverage, or just a bit of flavor and hydration.
A variety pack of mature, seltzer-like sodas
There are great books like The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober and The Sober Girl Society Handbook.» The latter, by Millie Gooch, has also become an online community that focuses on the idea that being sober can be fun. Adams’ research focuses on hangovers, alcohol harm reduction, and sobriety. She said that an increasing number of people want to quit or cut down on drinking simply to improve their health — and she happens to be one of them. From Kin Euphorics to Athletic Brewing, these no-alcohol drinks help make it easier to stay sober by choice, or even just drink in moderation, without sacrificing your favorite tastes, rituals, or social life.