What Are the Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks to Substitute for Alcohol?
Social and lifestyle movements go through milestones, and in the case of the “sober curious” trend, which has placed a spotlight on sober lifestyle coaching, a recent milestone features non-alcoholic beverages trending in social gatherings and nightlife settings. Season 4 of the Netflix series Emily in Paris featured a story arc about this in 2024. It involved the formulation and branding of a non-alcoholic fine wine, and it was inspired by the real-life French Bloom winery partly owned by Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy. The reviews for the French Bloom sparkling wine indicate it tastes like fine champagne, so that’s our first recommendation for a non-alcoholic social lubricant. Here are a few others recovery counselors and Encinitas addiction recovery coaches often suggest.
Tea
This plant-based beverage holds the distinction of being the first social lubricant. The archaeological record shows beer brewing in ancient Egypt is older than Chinese tea culture, but it was more of a food staple than a beverage consumed during social gatherings. The ceremonial aspect of tea increased its popularity as people began sharing pots with family and close friends. Many historians think the custom of offering beverages to guests upon arrival began in ancient China with tea, thus making it the most traditional alternative to liquor on this list.
Coffee
European coffeehouses in the 17th century were centers of discourse, creativity, romance, and business. They were the ultimate social hubs, inspired by the vibrant coffee parlors of Yemen. Despite primarily being a warm beverage, coffee can be enjoyed just about any time. It shares a mild stimulant kick of caffeine with tea, and it’s available in many tasty cultivars. It should be noted caffeine is a psychoactive substance that can result in dependence through gradual tolerance, so it’s crucial to limit intake to a few cups per day. Too much coffee may result in slight hangovers and mild withdrawal symptoms.
Non-Alcoholic Beer
From “near beer” in the 1980s to the insipid O’Douls in the 1990s, the American brewing market has come a long way in terms of non-alcoholic options. If you enjoy beers that are refreshing on the palate, Heineken 0.0 is an option some drinkers describe as tastier than Heineken Light. At picnics and BBQ events that call for food and beer pairings, Best Day Kölsch and Run Wild IPA from Athletic Brewing Company deliver nice flavor profiles that go well with savory BBQ dishes.
Functional Drinks & Fancy Virgin Cocktails
Trendsetters are flocking to beverages infused with functional ingredients to make them healthier. From CBD to vitamins, probiotics, and antioxidants, healthy ingredients can be found in functional drinks such as Health-Ade Kombucha and Califia, which are often spotted at nightlife establishments in Southern California. As for non-alcoholic cocktails, which started in Puerto Rico with virgin piña coladas in the mid-1950s, they’re everywhere these days. The most popular is the virgin wine spritzer, followed by the Moscow Mule and Old Fashioned “mocktails.”
If you’re concerned about a loved one’s level of drinking but don’t know where to turn, a good place to start is with an interventionist. Encinitas residents can trust the expertise and experience of the compassionate team at Sober Lifestyle Coaching. Our interventions are guided by love and compassion for the addict to ensure he or she doesn’t feel attacked or judged. In addition, our interventions are well structured and appropriate for coaxing a willingness to change in your loved one who may resist accepting help such as treatment, detox, or rehab. As part of our comprehensive intervention services, we also offer the support of a dedicated Sober Companion to accompany your loved one on the journey to recovery, providing the care and guidance he or she needs in daily life. To learn more about how we can help you or someone you love, call us today.
