“Not everybody wants to get wasted when they go to the bar,” says Forte. Sometimes, being there is just about wanting to be social and fit in. Since then, various popular figures have chosen to abstain from alcohol or encouraged others to stay sober. Without further ado, read this article and learn all you need to know about sober curiosity.
They prioritise mental health
Today, the brand’s product offering is focused solely on the Unwind Non Alcoholic Sparkling Wine ($25.99). As it was at the start, the zero-proof, bubbly alternative lends refined, de-alcoholized flavors to moments that deserve a toast. Unwind Non Alcoholic Sparkling Wine is made using organic grapes, and blended with ingredients that naturally soothe the senses. In Manila where enforcement is notoriously lenient when it comes to underage drinking, it is not uncommon to see teenagers hitting the bars and clubs on weekends. Every Saturday, my friends and I would go to town and consume as much Johnnie Walker, Absolut Vodka, and Goldschlärger as our allowances could afford.
Need ideas? Here are some alcohol-free activities our editors enjoy.
Crystal and Kaylee Clark plan to open up their alcohol-free bar, Good News, this year once they secure a location. When the couple met as bartenders in Portland, they were drinking a lot—something that’s often part of the culture of the service industry. It was only kismet that, when she started dabbling in NA cocktails, she stumbled upon a bartender position at Awake Denver, the city’s first sober bar. When they closed to find a new location, the 25-year-old decided to see what opportunities San Diego had for zero-proof bartending. A few part-time gigs, some consulting work, and one NA pop-up bar at Burning Man later, and Mestecky opened up Moon Flower inside Maya Moon Collective with owner Kathryn Rogers. Grace Mestecky swears her zero-proof Smoke and Mirrors cocktail tastes so sober curious much like a typical old fashioned that people can’t believe it isn’t one.
Do you want to drink less alcohol? Here’s how to be ‘sober curious’
Research also suggests that many people are not abstaining altogether, but rather alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to limit overall intake. Drinks that are labeled nonalcoholic may still contain some minimal alcohol. According to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, drinks can be labeled and sold as such as long as they have less than .5% alcohol by volume. The consumer sentiment survey of 1,131 Americans was commissioned by NCS in December 2024 and was made up of U.S. adults ages 21+, who were asked about their drinking patterns and preferences. If you’re weighing the benefits of short-term sobriety, focus on what you’ll gain, not what you’ll lose.
If you liked this, you are going to love these non-alcoholic drinks:
- According to a 2018 study, 1 month of abstaining from alcohol may help lower blood pressure and risk for alcohol-related diseases.
- The woman-owned brand makes three different blends — original, ruby, and sparkling — each of which is infused with adaptogens and its own delicate, floral flavor that doesn’t try to imitate wine.
- She said in the years since her last drink, she’s felt healthier than ever, with better sleep, acute focus at work and deeper intimacy in all her relationships.
- Another study published last year by researchers in Britain compared the health outcomes among a group of men and women who agreed to stop drinking for one month, with the health of a group that continued to consume alcohol.
- The idea is checking in with yourself and finding where the desire to drink is, and then asking where that pressure comes from.
- While many people abstain from alcohol for reasons such as their health, the main reason non-drinking Gen Zers aren’t having any alcohol is because they just don’t want to drink.
Diageo isn’t the only well-known company expanding its non-alcoholic offerings. In 2021, a Statistics Canada survey found that one in five Canadians were drinking less than they did pre-pandemic, with younger Canadians more likely to be cutting back. “Once we’ve got past people doing Dry January, we would naturally see people drinking again in February, but it does seem to have died down recently. The freedom to drink pints, do shots, and be a ‘loud-mouthed mess’ was an act of rebellion and defiance; a declaration that I wasn’t afraid to take up space. When I quit, I worried that I’d confirm every stereotype about women being too uptight, too worried about being out of control and un-ladylike.
Aura Bora, Pack of 12 — $33.00
It tasted a bit like a crystal shop smells, but it’s not all about the flavor — it also has 100 mg of lion’s mane per serving, designed to ignite cognition and put you in a better mood. Little Saints’ non-alcoholic seltzers boast brain benefits, too, with adaptogens like reishi and botanical terpenes. Athletic Brewing is pretty much the gold standard when it comes to non-alcoholic beer, making brews that deliver on flavor and are targeted towards active people who love beer as much as they love fitness. All the flavors I tried were crushable beer alternatives that scratch that beer itch, making them great for cutting out or cutting down on alcohol consumption or drinking during the day.
- Ever found yourself at a gathering and you’re nursing the same glass of wine all night, not because you want to drink but because it feels socially awkward not to have something in your hand?
- The “sober curious” movement doesn’t work for everyone, though.
- The cost of fancy elixirs and spirit-frees far outstrips that of a bottle of three-buck Chuck a group can share while watching reality television.
- Inspired by the French ethos of pleasure and restraint, De Soi’s range of sparkling non-alcoholic apéritifs is full of natural adaptogens.
Their three blends are meant to induce distinctively contrasting feelings, from The Pick Me Up (livener) to The Mood Maker (social elixir) and The Dream Maker (nightcap). What’s better is that each elixir is made with active ingredients like cacao, yerba mate, and valerian root, all known to make you feel good with stress-reducing and mood-boosting properties. Drinks are crafted using environmentally friendly methods and are also ideal if you are vegan or gluten-free. Made from herbal extracts, Seedlip is a non-alcoholic spirit that prides itself on bringing consumers closer to nature. The collection offers three nature-forward flavor profiles made from carefully selected botanicals, such as spearmint, thyme, and cascarilla. Carefully selected herbs, spices, peels, and barks undergo bespoke maceration, copper pot distillation, blending, and filtration to then become blended and bottled in England.
How to socialise when you’re sober curious
Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. In particular, she’s committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues. When you know you’ll be in a social setting that involves alcohol, preparing your response ahead of time helps you stick to your decision in a situation where you might feel swayed.
However, if people are out and about, survey drug addiction treatment data shows the go-to alcohol-free beverage people order is a soft drink, followed by water, tea or coffee. While reasons for being alcohol-free vary, 30% of non-drinkers feel judged for not drinking alcohol. Many often navigate social situations where they find themselves being asked why they don’t drink. Over two in five (41%) have been asked that question by others. When we asked if it’s rude to ask people why they don’t drink, Americans were split, with 53% saying it’s not rude or inappropriate.
However, drinking felt like liberation, but it often left me trapped. Waking up with a raging hangover, cringing at texts or apologising for things I didn’t remember wasn’t empowering; it was confirmation that I was using alcohol as a crutch to manage insecurity and discomfort. It took a toll on my mental health, self-esteem and relationships. Holding a drink – whether it’s sparkling water, a soda, or a mocktail – makes it less likely anyone will ask why you’re not drinking. Stock up on non-alcoholic options you love, like alcohol-free beers, kombucha, or fancy mocktails.
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