As more people become conscious about their health and well-being, moderation in alcohol consumption is on the rise. According to research, nine out of ten individuals are looking to cut back on their drinking. This trend is evident in social situations, where examples of abstaining are increasingly commonplace. I’ve often felt out of place among my younger colleagues and even within my household, where my teenage child views my drinking habits as outdated. It’s important to clarify that I don’t drink excessively—I’m a health editor, so I maintain a consumption level within the 14-unit guideline. However, as many mid-lifers will attest, it’s easy for “a little here and there” to slide into “a bit more, more often.” In this article, I’ll share my personal journey toward reducing my alcohol intake and introduce some of the innovative products I explored along the way.
First and foremost, let’s tackle a common misconception about giving up drinking: it doesn’t necessarily save you money. The duty on a bottle of 12% ABV wine amounts to approximately £2.66, while the alternatives I discovered often range from £17 to £25. For instance, a regular branded gin might cost about £20, with £9 attributed to duty, yet many non-alcoholic variants were similarly priced. This reality means that if you’re opting for these substitutes, you should treat them like special occasions. It’s important to savor your choices: serve them chilled, with garnishes and plenty of ice, just as you would for alcoholic drinks—after all, they can become less enjoyable when they’re served lukewarm or mixed with subpar tonic.
With this perspective in mind, let me outline a few strategies that worked for me as I aimed to reduce my alcohol consumption:
1. Surround Yourself with Non-Drinkers
When spending time with sober friends, I found that the absence of alcohol was never a problem. During my pregnancy over a decade ago, I often felt irritated watching others indulge in drinks while I was abstaining. Yet now, being with non-drinkers is refreshing; it’s nice to enjoy their company without feeling left out. This shift allowed me to explore alcohol-free options suggested by my friends, leading to new favorites—and surprisingly, a can of lemon soda became my drink of choice with Japanese cuisine.
Ultimately, being out late without the dread of a hangover the next day is a delightful advantage.
What Worked for Me:
When visiting friends, bring an alcohol-free beverage that everyone can enjoy together, making it the highlight of the gathering.
Recommended Drinks:
The beautifully packaged Saicho Jasmine Sparkling Tea (£19.50) serves as a perfect dinner party gift. Not only does it look stunning, but the blend of sparkling green tea with jasmine blossom is bound to pique everyone’s curiosity.
Pathfinder, one of the most popular non-alcoholic spirits, has received praise even from regular drinkers for its resemblance to the taste of alcoholic beverages, reminiscent of a Martini Rosso with a touch of Campari. Additional favorites among the Good Food community include Mother Root Ginger Aperitif, Infinite Session Pale Ales, and Lyre’s Amaretto, offering a sweet finish to your evening.
2. Experiment with ‘Zebra Striping’
‘Zebra striping’—a concept popularized in recent trend reports—involves alternating alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. I attempted this strategy at a large birthday party, where the pub provided several alcohol-free beer options. While I managed to get myself a 0% pint occasionally, I faced challenges in requesting them consistently due to a mix of forgetfulness and concerns about what others would think. The thrill of being at a lively event occasionally outweighed my motivation to stay sober, resulting in a few missed opportunities. Nonetheless, by substituting a few drinks, I did manage to lower my overall unit count that night.
What Worked:
Starting the night with a non-alcoholic drink helped quench my thirst and set a positive tone for the evening.
Recommended Drinks:
Your choices in bars might vary, but Guinness Zero is gaining availability and offers a richer mouthfeel compared to many 0% lagers. Another great choice is Big Drop’s Galactic Milk Stout, which is popular in larger chain establishments.
3. Opt for ‘Low’ Over ‘No’
Instead of sticking to a strict non-alcoholic regimen, consider drinking mid-strength beverages throughout the evening—a practice I refer to as “coasting.” I favored the Kernel Table Beer, which at 3% ABV doesn’t compromise on flavor. Founder Evin O’Riordain insists it “drinks like a beer should,” and I can attest that it provides a pleasant buzz without overindulgence.
As the summer months roll in, enjoying drinks in pub gardens has often led me to dilute full-strength beverages, such as white wine spritzers (wine mixed with soda) or lager shandies (lager and lemonade), which might not be the trendiest choices but are undeniably refreshing in the heat.
What Worked:
This approach is certainly the simplest way to reduce alcohol units, though it may not cut them as significantly as opting for 0% alternatives. Low-alcohol drinks still offer a familiar taste, which can be appealing for those who enjoy the flavor of alcohol along with its effects. It took some time for me to realize that alcohol-free options don’t always match expectations when it comes to taste; thus, low or session beverages can ease you into sobriety.
Drinks to Try:
While most session beers hover around the 4% mark, if you’re looking for something lower, aim for 2-3%. If you appreciate Beavertown’s Neck Oil, consider its lighter sibling, Satellite (2.8% ABV). Additionally, Small Beer offers a variety of excellent ales and lagers at 2.1-2.6% ABV.
I also discovered the delightful realm of mid-strength spirits, which I had previously overlooked. Consider Session Spirit London Dry, a 25% ABV gin (a notable reduction from the usual 40%), or Quarter Proof‘s gin, tequila, and vodka alternatives with 15% ABV. The Session Spirit made for a delightful gin and tonic, while Quarter Proof’s tequila was fantastic in spicy margaritas.
4. Explore Other Mind-Enhancing Options
With the rise of CBD beverages, like Trip, which has quickly become the fastest-growing soft drink brand in the UK, manufacturers have delved into other mood-enhancing functional drinks that aim to replicate the soothing effects of alcohol.
For instance, SENTIA drinks, developed with insights from former government Drug Tsar, Prof David Nutt, claim to utilize a neurotransmitter known as GABA that might help you feel more relaxed. Likewise, ON Beer incorporates adaptogenic ingredients like ginseng, rhodiola, and damiana.
What Worked:
While I’m uncertain how much of an effect these ingredients had, I found that the social atmosphere and the company I kept had a far greater impact on my overall relaxation and enjoyment.
Drinks to Try:
For a comforting finish to the day, I recommend the mellow, citrusy Nightcap. I experienced a great night’s sleep after enjoying this drink, possibly due to its valerian, lemon balm, and hops content promoting relaxation.
Another enjoyable option is Three Spirit’s Spark, a functional wine alternative containing caffeine, L-theanine, and guayusa, as well as Sharp, which includes electrolytes, amino acids, and vitamin D.
Read More:
Top 30 Non-Alcoholic Drinks Ideas
Non-Alcoholic Drinks Collection
Mocktail Recipes
What I Discovered When I Gave Up Drinking for a Month
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