So you’ve decided not to drink. Maybe that’s a long-term decision or a short-term break. Either way, congratulations! Your body (and wallet) will thank you for a chance to recover from the effects of alcohol.
Just because you’re kicking booze for a little doesn’t mean you can’t find other ways to let loose and enjoy yourself. As more and more people make the choice not to indulge, products are being offered that allow you to make a healthy choice while still savoring your favorite drinks.
Here are a few alcohol alternatives you can enjoy without worrying about piling on the calories of feeling the side effects the next morning.
Non-Alcoholic Spirits
As the sober movement began to gain momentum, it was only a matter of time before people found a way to enjoy their favorite drinks without worrying about the hangover, extra calories, or negative long term health effects. For example, Ritual Zero Poof makes non-alcoholic versions of whiskey, gin, tequila, and rum. These alcohol alternatives taste just as good as their alcoholic counterparts, without the booze. Each of our spirit alternatives are made with the finest botanical ingredients available to provide you with drinks that look, smell, and taste just as good as your favorite cocktails. This means that you can enjoy non-alcoholic versions of your favorite drinks while staying true to your decision not to indulge. Head over to our products page and check out our offerings today!
You can also mix non-alcoholic spirits into alcoholic drinks to make low abv versions. This is advantageous when you want to still catch a small buzz, without worrying about becoming intoxicated as quickly. For people looking to kick alcohol altogether, this can be a great first step toward a life without alcohol.
Have a date you’re trying to impress? Pick up a bottle of your date’s favorite spirit and wow them away with tasty mocktails you can make at home before heading out for the occasion!
Drink these when: You’re having one of those nights where your inner bartender is ready to shine, or for nights out on the town when you don’t feel like suffering a hangover the next day.
Non-Alcoholic Beers
There’s nothing quite like the taste of a cold beer after a long day of work, exercise, chores, and other responsibilities that come with being a hard-working adult. Unfortunately, that ice cold beer can lead to a few more ice cold beers, and suddenly your alarm clock is going off at 6 a.m. while you begin the early stages of fighting a hangover.
Not so fast. More restaurants, bars, and other retail locations are starting to serve non-alcoholic alternatives to your favorite beers. Even major breweries are getting in on the action by creating NA versions of your favorite domestics and imports. Are you more of a craft beer enthusiast? Everyday microbreweries around the country are developing and producing alcohol-free versions of IPAs, Porters, Stouts, Kölsches, and more.
Drink these when: You and your friends just crushed a workout and need some post-WOD nutrition.
Non-Alcoholic Wines
Perhaps you enjoy the finer things in life, and every wine enthusiast understands the refined pallet that a proper wine commands.
Or, maybe it’s just wine night, and you’re looking for a bottle of something tasty that won’t ruin your workday tomorrow.
In either case, non-alcoholic versions of reds, whites, and everything in between are growing more and more popular throughout the country. While these wines might not have any alcohol, the flavor profiles remain faithful to the originals.
Drink these when: You’re ready to enjoy a nice evening in or a sophisticated night out.
Non-Alcoholic Champagne
Popping some bubbles is never a bad idea, and can even add some flair to any occasion. Problematically, champagne is notorious for causing midday hangovers after enjoying a bottomless mimosa brunch a little too much. These non-alcoholic champagnes work perfectly for situations like the aforementioned brunches, formal black tie events, or those times when you could go for something refreshing.
As with the other alternatives on this list, there’s not a drop of alcohol in any of these champagnes, meaning you can enjoy them without a splitting midday headache.
Drink these when: The clock’s about to strike midnight on New Year’s Eve and you have resolutions to get after in the morning.
Nootropics
If you spend any time enjoying podcasts or keeping up with health or wellness trends, you’ve likely heard of nootropics. The term generally refers to substances that can alter or improve your cognitive ability. While some new supplements can alter your mood or aid with sleep, many are more commonplace, such as caffeine, creatine, and L-theanine.
While this is slightly different than alcohol, it’s something that can be enjoyed in place of your favorite drinks. For example, if you enjoy mixing up cocktails, you can pour that same time, energy, and creativity into brewing the perfect pot of coffee.
Consume these when: You’re about to workout, head to the office, or need to catch some zzz’s.
CBD
CBD in most of its forms is legal (with some limitations) and easily accessible in all 50 U.S. States. Growing more popular in recent years, many use CBD to help with lingering pain, to help relax, and in many cases to help sleep. Life isn’t easy, and the wear and tear on your body from the daily grind can be mitigated with a CBD cream or oil.
Consume these when: Your mind won’t stop racing and it’s time to get some sleep, or your knee pain makes walking around miserable.
A NOTE FOR OUR READERS: While many CBD products don’t contain THC (the psychoactive component in cannabis or hemp, from which CBD is derived), there are some CBD products with varying amounts of THC. This can give the “high” sensation people experience when they consume cannabis. If you’re trying to stay sober (or choose not to consume cannabis), be sure to double check the ingredients in your product to make sure there is no THC.
Exercise & Hobbies
Look, sometimes you just need to blow off some steam. Spending time, money, or energy that you would normally spend drinking can be spent getting in a sweat session or pursuing a hobby or passion. These activities stimulate your mind, body, and spirit and can help you find fulfillment while also getting some relief from the day.
Choosing not to consume alcohol can be challenging, but you’ll soon find there are plenty of ways to enjoy both yourself and the drinks you love (but without the side effects of alcohol).
Don’t forget to check out Ritual Zero Proof for non-alcoholic versions of whiskey, gin, tequila, and rum to achieve moderation or even an alcohol-free life!
