Here’s what to drink when you don’t want to drink.
READ ALSO: Alcohol Etiquette & Tips From Some Semi-Seasoned Millennial Drinkers
Were you looking for a challenge to take up in quarantine? You can try not drinking. The popularity of sober curiosity rose when trends like “Dry January” and “Sober October” became widespread social media hashtags in those months. The challenge people took upon themselves was not consuming any alcohol though all days of January and October.
While we’re aware it’s August, you can still consider skipping your nightly red wine habit to experience the benefits of drinking less alcohol. According to Dr. Roy Buchinsky, director of wellness at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, short-term abstinence from alcohol can improve physical and mental health.
He tells Healthline that the liver can regenerate when we take a break from alcohol. And compared to the weeks we drink, we might feel happier too. Dr. Buchinsky notes that alcohol is a depressant, which is why it affects people’s mental states.
Although there’s no harm in having a couple of drinks a week, especially if you want to wind down, there are ways you can enjoy your favorite cocktail without the alcohol content.
Here are seven non-alcoholic beverages you can buy to replace your go-to wines and spirits. From gin to tequila and chardonnay to champagne, you might not even feel like you’re going cold-turkey on alcoholic libations.
Seedlip Special Offer Trio
They’re known as the pioneering brand offering bottles of non-alcoholic spirits; Seedlip’s slogan is “what to drink when you’re not drinking.” Since its founding in 2014, its founder Ben Branson uses his inclination to herbal ingredients such as allspice, green cardamom, and cascarilla to create a blend that mimics gin’s taste.
In the trio package, you’ll get the full range of Seedlip distilled beverages. According to their website, Spice 94 has a taste of bright citrus. While Garden 108 and Grove 42 are made of floral blends and zesty, complex botanical ingredients. In addition, each drink doesn’t contain calories, so it provides you with less guilt if you feel like adding a sugary mixer.
You can order here.
Ritual Zero Proof Tequila Alternative
If you’re a fan of Mexican liquor, you can have a weekend of unlimited margaritas at home without the dreaded hangover. This bottle provides the flavor hints of traditional tequila with grassy and smokey notes and has the scent of citrus for a “believable” experience.
You can order here.
Arkay Alcohol-Free Vodka
Another calorie-free option is Arkay’s vodka alternative. According to its website, the flavor, mouthfeel, and warmth of the drink are comparable to actual vodka because the blend’s complexity is similar to alcohol. So, the American brand discourages sharing the bottle with minors even though it contains none of the chemicals.
You can order here.
Hill Street Vin (Zero) Cabernet Sauvignon
For those who prefer a glass of red, there’s a wholesome alternative to that, too. Cabernet sauvignon typically boasts woodsy flavors, firm tannins, and a rich taste, so Hill Street Vin replicates that with notes of dark currants and cherries.
Its main ingredients are actual cabernet sauvignon wine with the alcohol filtered out, grape juice, and ascorbic acid to achieve a tang.
You can order here.
Spiritless Kentucky 74
If you tend to go for an old-fashioned or mint juleps in cocktail bars, this bottle is formulated to be a satisfying alternative to bourbon. However, if you still want to have your favorite bourbon brand with less ABV, you can mix it with Kentucky 74 to add more volume to your glass. Either way, the alcohol-free alternative includes charred oak notes, so it’s a viable option for whiskey lovers.
You can order here.
Sutter Home FRE Alcohol-Removed Chardonnay
To enjoy multiple glasses of fruity chardonnay without expecting the room to spin, you can open a bottle of an “alcohol-removed” version instead. With aromas of green apple, pear, and berries, you can expect the same brightness as the traditional white wine. Of course, the virgin option contains carbonation so that you can have the whole sparking experience.
You can order here.
TÖST Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Beverage
Whatever you’re toasting to, you can raise a glass of this non-alcoholic beverage that looks just like champagne. It’s a blend of white tea, white cranberry, and ginger. The light flavors make it a good pairing for any meal and even a mixer to supplement other mocktails.
Banner photo from Photo by Kobby Mendez on Unsplash
