There are no black-and-white rules on how to approach your relationship with alcohol, and for many, it changes during the journey, but it doesn’t have to be as strict as going completely teetotal. For many, the idea of cutting it out completely may seem unrealistic, especially if you’ve got events or special occasions on the horizon.
A huge part of mindful drinking is being intentional with your decisions around alcohol. It empowers you to make an intentional decision instead of grabbing a drink out of habit – you’re encouraged to ask yourself, do I want a drink, or am I doing it out of habit? Mindful drinking is a long-term approach based on mindfulness over restriction.
Cutting down can be the first step in the journey, as you start to feel and see the benefits and the appeal of a drink waning, helping you to continue the journey to a more healthy relationship with alcohol.
Tips to help make the switch
- Only buy what you will drink – A packed liquor cabinet and well-stocked wine cellar are the pride and joy of many, but they can also be your downfall, so we suggest keeping those cabinets bare, or at least limited to help avoid giving in to temptation.
- Work out a plan and adapt your habits – Try switching up your social calendar to avoid events that focus heavily on alcohol, try inviting a friend for coffee or a walk instead.
- Do it with someone – There’s no better way to be held accountable than if you have someone to inspire and encourage you.
- Find a tasty alternative – Soda water, tea, and kombucha are great alternatives to keep in the house, or why not try an alcohol-free beer, wine, or spirit? With the spike in sobriety, the liquor industry was quick to jump on the bandwagon, meaning there are a plethora of options on the market that are worthy of trying.
Alcohol-free alternatives to try this year
For most of us, drinking isn’t about getting drunk, it’s about the taste, the socialising, and the experience. Some of us look forward to treating ourselves to a cold beer at the end of a hard day of work, a glass of red in front of the fire, a white perfectly paired with dinner, or a glass of bubbles to celebrate. So, here are some of our favourite alternatives to enjoy the tipple without the hangover, making the switch an easy and delicious process.
Gin
If you love a cold glass of G&T, then you’re in luck! Alcohol-free gin is offered in a variety of flavours, and they’re so good, you don’t even realise they’re alcohol-free!
This delightfully coloured Juniper Berry Blush gin is a fantastic alternative to the delicious pink gin. With subtle floral notes of rose and hibiscus, this drink offers the perfect twist for alcohol-free Tom Collins. Simply serve with a mix of sugar syrup and lemon juice, topped off with your tonic or soda water of choice, over ice.
Bourbon
Are you someone who likes coffee with a little Irish twist? Then this gorgeous American Malt is a great alternative to give you that kick without the hangover.
Simply add this to 175ml of black coffee. If you’re a sweet tooth, add 1 tsp of brown sugar and mix some heavy whipping cream with 1/2 tsp of vanilla syrup to pour on top!
Wine and champagne
Who doesn’t like a glass of wine with dinner, or when you just went to reset after a long day? Well, the good news is, there’s no shortage of alcohol-free options when it comes to wine. We no longer need to resort to the good ol’ Appletiser when there’s an abundance of wine imitations to choose from.
From red and white to bubbly, the best news is, even your local supermarket stocks them!
Beer
Thankfully, alcohol-free beer is steadily growing in popularity, with brands releasing comprehensive ranges and flavours to choose from. And we all know a beer drinker who would love a delicious alternative to their crispy summer arvo beverage.
The best part of alcohol-free beers is they’re even offered gluten-free! If you have trouble deciding what flavour to try first, then the good news is you can purchase sample packs that include a range of flavours and brands for your alcohol-free journey.
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.
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