Non-Alcoholic Drink: Socializing in Sobriety

For many people new to recovery from alcohol abuse, it is not only tough to adjust to sobriety, but it can also be challenging to change social habits and rituals – non-alcoholic drink in place of beer or wine, for instance.

This transition is a normal and expected part of recovery for most people. During the early phase of sober living, it is best to avoid bars completely. It is also advisable to reconsider any relationships or friendships predicated on destructive behaviors.

The most current data from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) indicates that 28 million U.S. adults had alcohol use disorder in 2020. Among those, 2 million engaged with addiction treatment.

As you become more confident in your sobriety, though, you may feel ready to start socializing again while still maintaining an alcohol-free lifestyle.

Increasingly, movements like Sober Happy Hour are championing the art of socializing while drinking non-alcoholic beverages like mocktails.

What is a Non Alcoholic Beverage?

Non-alcoholic drinks are also known as zero-proof drinks, and they contain no alcohol.

The first non-alcoholic beverages surfaced during the early days of the cocktail age in the mid-1800s. These drinks were first referenced as temperance drinks. The first recorded mention of the term mocktail was in 1916, according to Merriam-Webster. “Mocktail” is a truncated form of “mock cocktails”, with this drink delivering all the frills of a cocktail without the alcoholic content.

During the 1980s, mocktails became incredibly popular worldwide. Most mocktails are sugary and elaborate drinks. Over time, as cocktail culture of the 2000s evolved, so zero-proof drinks became more refined.

You can find non-alcoholic drinks in many forms, including non-alcoholic beer, classic mocktails, or new and innovative styles of drink with no alcoholic content.

Zero-proof drinks are now widely viewed as a valid choice for all types of drinkers, as well as for those in recovery.

Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Have you been searching for “non-alcoholic drinks near me”?

If so, what makes a great non-alcoholic drink is intensely personal.

If so, what makes a great non-alcoholic drink is intensely personal.

Broadly, the best zero-proof drinks have the same elements as the best alcoholic ones. Drinks with or without alcohol contain the following layers:

• Water
• Salinity
• Sweetness
• Bitterness
• Acidity

The best way to achieve the subtlety of a delectable drink without relying on alcohol as a base is to use bitter, spicy, or sour flavors with no alcohol content.

Here are five superb options if you’re ready to socialize in sobriety:

1. Ghia
2. Seedlip’s Garden non-alcoholic spirit
3. TÖST
4. Non-alcoholic beer
5. Dry cranberry spritzer mocktail

1) Ghia

Ghia is a soothing and alcohol-free drink made from all-natural ingredients and botanical extracts. There is no sugar, caffeine, or artificial flavors in these Mediterranean-inspired beverages. Ghia is also gluten free, kosher, and vegan-friendly.

Thanks to the biting botanical extracts, these zero-proof drinks taste just like the real thing, but without any of the damaging alcoholic content.

2) Seedlip’s Garden non-alcoholic spirit

If you were a fan of gin before committing to recovery, Seedlip’s Garden offers a non-alcoholic spirit that closely replicates the real deal, named Seedlip’s Garden 108.

The distillation process involves botanicals and herbs being soaked in a neutral spirit before all alcohol is removed.

Serve Seedlip’s Garden 108 with some tonic and continue socializing in sobriety without compromising yourself.

3) TÖST

If you’re looking for something non-alcoholic and fizzy, try TÖST. This orange-hued drink is sweet and packed with bubbles and the following lip-smacking ingredients:

• White cranberry
• Ginger extract
• Blue agave
• Citrus
• White tea

Invest in a 750ml for a special occasion or single-serve 12oz drinks if you fancy a non-alcoholic tipple with dinner.

4) Non-alcoholic beer

There are countless non-alcoholic beers out there, but Athletic Brewing Company from Connecticut makes nothing but craft beer with no alcohol.

Choose from a wide range of refined beers that taste very similar to regular beer but don’t contain any alcohol whatsoever.

5) Dry cranberry spritzer mocktail

Here’s what you need to make this delicious zero-proof mocktail:

• Seedlip’s Grove 42 (1.5oz)
• Monlin cranberry (1oz)
• Lime juice (1oz)
• Orange bitters (2 dashes)
• Q Grapefruit soda (to top off)

And here’s how to make an alcohol-free dry cranberry spritzer:

1. Set aside the Q Grapefruit.
2. Combine all the other ingredients in a cocktail shaker over some ice.
3. Shake repeatedly.
4. Strain the beverage into a Collins glass. Top with Q Grapefruit.
5. Stir, garnish, and serve.

For even more great mocktail recipes, go here.

Socializing in Sobriety: Non-Alcoholic Drinks

It is worth bearing in mind that some non-alcoholic beer contains traces of alcohol. This study suggests that even the smell of alcohol in the form of non-alcoholic beverages can trigger relapse in some people recovering from alcohol use disorder.

During early recovery from alcoholism, it is not recommended to experiment with mocktails or non-alcoholic drinks. Instead, start building healthy routines and an improved lifestyle that doesn’t revolve around beverages in any form.

Once you are sober and stable in that sobriety, you will be freer to try different drinks when you’re socializing, and we’ve given you plenty of options today.

All addictions are unique and everyone has a different recovery journey. Only you will know when and if you are ready to introduce mocktails and non-alcoholic drinks into your social life.

Get Sober at Renaissance Recovery

At Renaissance Recovery Center, you can engage with a variety of outpatient programs for alcohol use disorder (the clinical term for alcoholism).

If you have a moderate or severe alcohol use disorder, you may require more structure and support than a traditional outpatient program provides. At Renaissance, we also offer IOPs (intensive outpatient programs) and PHPs (partial hospitalization programs) for those looking to kickstart their recovery.

Not only is outpatient treatment more affordable than residential rehab, but it’s also much more flexible. Additionally, almost all major health insurance plans will cover the costs of intensive outpatient treatment for alcohol use disorder.

If you have a co-occurring mental health disorder like anxiety, depression, or PTSD, tackle both issues head on with our integrated dual diagnosis treatment program.

All of our treatment programs offer access to the following evidence-based therapies:

• MAT (medication-assisted treatment is proven effective for the treatment of alcohol use disorder)
• Psychotherapy (CBT or DBT)
• Individual counseling
• Group counseling
• Family therapy

Take the first step in your journey to non-alcoholic drinks and sobriety by reaching out to Renaissance today at 866.330.9449.

FAQ

Can you drink non-alcoholic beer while pregnant?

It is a personal choice whether or not to drink non-alcoholic beer while pregnant. Most non-alcoholic beers contain little alcohol or no alcohol at all. That said, there is no safe level of alcohol if you are pregnant. To eliminate risk completely, avoid non-alcoholic beer in the same way you would avoid consuming alcohol in foods while pregnant.