Is someone in your life looking to reduce alcohol or live an alcohol-free lifestyle?
Surprise them with a thoughtful gift, or offer one of these trendy beverages at your next gathering!
Learn more about alternatives to alcohol in this blog post “Alcohol Alternatives: A Buzz without the Alcohol or the Hangover”.
What does it mean to be “Sober Curious”?
According to Ruby Warrington, author of Sober Curious: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Limitless Presence, and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol, being sober curious means –
“To choose to question, or get curious about, every impulse, invitation, and expectation to drink, versus mindlessly going along with the dominant drinking culture.”
Difference between Sobriety & Sober Curiosity
Sobriety involves becoming sober due to alcoholism or an alcohol-use disorder.
On the other hand, sober curiosity is about abstaining from alcohol for physical and mental health benefits.
The Sober Curious Movement encourages an alcohol-free lifestyle.
However, the movement also welcomes individuals who aren’t willing, ready, or planning to give up alcohol completely.
Who is Sober Curious?
A recent Civic Science Survey revealed Gen Z adults (ages 21-24) make up the largest numbers in the sober curious movement. They are followed by young Millennials (ages 25-34).
Adults aged 55 and older are the least sober curious. Meanwhile, they make up the highest number of those abstaining from alcohol.
Alternatives to Alcohol & Healthy Aging
Consuming alcohol regularly can age you faster. Alcohol has a larger impact on your physical and mental health as you age.
You dehydrate easier, your organs weaken quicker, your brain cells shrink, and you get sick more easily.
Alcohol worsens common medical conditions. In addition, it can interact with medication and can increase your risk of falls.
Consider alcohol alternatives for Healthy Aging!
Buzzworthy Alternatives to Alcohol
The sober curious movement, along with Sober October and Dry January have generated an uptick in the demand for booze-free substitutes to alcohol.
Alternatives to alcohol offer an option for the sober curious to celebrate without the alcohol or the hangover!
US retail sales of non-alcoholic spirits grew 116% to $4.5 million, according to NielsenIQ. Alcoholic spirit sales slipped about 1% to just under $21 billion.
The demand for alternatives has produced better products than previous non-alcoholic options!
Alternatives to Alcohol Gift Guide
Check out these options for your sober curious friends & family! Alternatives to alcohol also make excellent host/hostess gifts.
Offering these popular beverages at your next gathering will be a conversation starter. You’ll be surprised at the number of sober curious party guests!
*Some of the alternatives below contain a small amount of alcohol per volume. These are not suitable for individuals who should abstain from alcohol.
Better Rhodes Occasion Collections
This Better Rhodes Sober Curious Elevated Welcome Pack makes it easy to offer a variety of options to your sober curious guests. Your pack includes the following four products.
- 750 ml bottle of Wander + Found Cuveé Blanc
- 750 ml bottle of Zeero Sangiovese or Wander + Found Pinot Noir
- 4 cans of Non-Alcoholic Beer
- 4 cans of pre-mixed AF cocktails from brands like Hiyo or Hella Bitters & Soda
- 2 Sir. James 101 Premixed Cocktails
Raising the Bar’s Monthly Mocktail Box
This subscription service delivers non-alcoholic cocktail ingredients to make your own mocktails at home.
Raising the Bar offers one, three, six, and 12-month subscriptions.
Each box includes the ingredients to make four servings of the drink of the month, plus a garnish or piece of barware!
Kava Starter Kit for Two
A supplement known as Kava may mimic alcohol’s effects. This plant native to the Pacific Islands may also aid in relaxation, stress relief, and sleep*.
Kava.com’s Starter Kit for 2 contains instructions to perfect your drink-making skills.
The kit includes powdered root, a muslin extraction bag, lemongrass, and two hand-crafted acacia wood cups.
*Consult your healthcare provider before consuming Kava. It may interact with some medications.
Seedlip’s Non-Alcoholic Spirits Gift Set
This Gift Set from Seedlip includes two of their most popular spirits – Spice 94 and Garden 108.
Mix these spirits with tonic water, or another mixer, for a non-alcoholic cocktail.
Magic Kick’s Alternative to Alcohol
An Adaptogen beverage line, Magic Kick, was created by Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing reality star, Fredrick Eklund.
Eklund’s line includes three beverage options named for their desired effect-
- Party (Blueberry Chai)
- Sex, (Pomegranate Lime)
- Sleep (Blueberry Lavendar).
A Magic Bundle is available to sample all three varieties. The pretty bottles make for a perfect host/hostess gift!
De Soi’s Bubby Bundle
De Soi, co-founded by singer Katy Perry offers non-alcoholic Apéritifs made with natural Adaptogens.
An Apéritif is a refreshing alcoholic drink served before meals to stimulate the appetite.
Their variety pack includes their three Non-Alcoholic Apéritifs –Golden Hour, Champignon Dreams, & Purple Lune.
Adaptogenic Cocktail Discovery Kit Bundle
Boisson’s Adaptogenic Cocktail Discovery Kit Bundle offers a variety of different brands of non-alcoholic Adaptogen drinks.
This bundle is a great gift. It’s also a perfect way to provide a sampling of alternatives to your sober curious guests!
Takeaways on Alternatives to Alcohol
Alternatives to alcohol are increasing in popularity. More and more individuals are interested in socializing without alcohol or the hangover.
The items above make for thoughtful gifts, trendy party beverages, or a host/hostess gift!
Do you have any alternatives to add? Let us know in the comments below!
Hungry for more information on healthy aging?
Check out the Age-Defying Dietitian’s blog for the latest content on all things healthy aging!
Click HERE to sign up for our Nutrition for Healthy Aging Newsletter!
*Please note this blog post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
Kathryn is a Registered Dietitian and a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach. She is also Certified through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in Weight Management. She has 20+ years of nutrition experience working in a variety of healthcare settings. Her passion is to provide evidence-based nutrition information that supports vitality and longevity!