Alcohol alternatives
Please add to the list! I don’t drink due to religious reasons but wanted to help brainstorm some ideas for folks who are looking to cut alcohol. Here is what I do instead of drinking. You might try them.
Social bonding
- Mocktail kits you mix together as a group
- Sparkling grape or pomegranate juice in a wine glass
- Non-alcoholic beers (Athletic Brewing, Gruvi)
- Kombucha — festive, fizzy, feels like a "drink"
Relaxing after stress
- Chamomile, lavender, mint, or passionflower tea
- Golden milk (warm turmeric latte)
- Sparkling water with a splash of tart cherry juice
- Hot chocolate in a cozy mug; (chocolate is a trigger for me though, so be careful.)
Celebrating
- Non-alcoholic sparkling wine (Proxies, Seedlip)
- Sparkling juice in a champagne flute
- Fancy shrub sodas (drinking vinegar + sparkling water)
- Elaborate mocktail with garnish — the presentation matters!
- sparkling cider
Lowering inhibitions
- Having a "signature mocktail" ready removes the awkwardness
- Sparkling water with lime — something to hold and sip
- Non-alcoholic spirits like Lyre's or Monday Zero
- liquid death water
Enjoying the taste
- Non-alcoholic wines — many mimic real varietals well
- Shrubs (vinegar-based syrups) — tart, complex, layered
- Craft kombucha — fermented depth, varied flavors
- Bitters + soda — surprisingly complex, low sugar
- get the blender going and make frozen lemonade, slushies, Brazilian limeade, etc.
Habit / ritual
- Set up a home "bar" with NA options to keep the ritual
- Same glass, same time — swap what's in it
- Sparkling water with fruit / slices of cucumber — easy, daily-use alternative
- Evening herbal tea routine as a wind-down replacement. Sweeten with stevia or honey.