Sober Living: No & Low alcohol drinks and recipes

In a culture where social gatherings often revolve around drinking alcohol, there has been a recent shift towards sober-curious living and more mindful drinking. As non-alcoholic options are advancing, gone are the days of sugary mocktails and bland fizzy drinks, today’s market for non-alcoholic beverages offers a varied array of low-alcohol drinks that not only taste amazing but can also provide a host of health benefits. 

Whether you’re embracing full sobriety or simply seeking to cut back on alcohol, discovering a variety of healthy, natural non-alcoholic drinks that taste amazing can transform your social experiences. Keep reading as we explore an exciting selection of non-alcoholic drinks, from revitalising kombuchas to 0% pale ales and alcohol-free spirits to make a refreshing mocktail.

What are the benefits of not drinking alcohol?

Cutting down your alcohol consumption is a personal choice that can be greatly beneficial for both your mental and physical health. There is no pressure to commit to cutting alcohol out of your life completely, however, if you are curious about trying out a sober lifestyle there are many benefits to your overall health and wellbeing that you may experience both in the short-term and long-term.

Lowers blood pressure

If you drink alcohol regularly, you may be more at risk of having high blood pressure, which has the potential to increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. By cutting down the amount of alcohol you consume you can help to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level and in turn reduce the risk of future health issues.

Help with weight loss

Most alcohol is high in calories and contains a lot of sugar, therefore if you’re a heavy drinker, you may find that regular alcohol consumption may cause weight gain. By easing back on the amount you drink you can help facilitate weight loss and in turn, lead a healthier lifestyle. 

Improves sleep and reduces fatigue

Although some may believe that an alcoholic drink can send you off into a nice slumber, alcohol has actually been known to reduce the amount of REM sleep you get and can make falling and staying asleep harder. This in turn can then cause you to feel drowsy throughout the next day and with regular alcohol consumption, can create a disorganised sleep pattern and fatigue. Therefore by not drinking alcohol you can get a better quality of sleep and feel more well-rested overall.

Improve mental health

It is well-known that alcohol acts as a depressant and with regular, heavy consumption of alcohol, you may begin to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety over time. Therefore by cutting alcohol out of your life, or lowering the amount and frequency that you drink, you can help improve your mental health and overall mood. It’s important to note that if you are experiencing low mood, anxiety or symptoms of depression to contact your doctor for help.

What are the best low-alcohol drinks?

As the popularity of the sober-curious movement increases, so does the social demand for more low-alcohol options available on the market. Whether you’re committing to Dry January or Sober October, or you’re simply interested in reducing your alcohol consumption, there are many non-alcoholic alternatives to your favourite boozy beverages available. Below we have listed a few of our favourite low and no-alcohol options available here at Planet Organic.

Non-alcoholic wine

If you’re partial to a refreshing glass of wine at the end of a long day to wind down and relax, there are plenty of alcohol-free alternatives available. There are a number of brands that offer alcohol-free wine that not only mimics the taste of the real thing but are also designed to give you the euphoric feeling of alcohol without the negative effects. These non-alcoholic wines are made from a blend of active plants, teas and fruits that create a beverage that is not only refreshing but also gives you an invigorating feeling. 

If you prefer sparkling wine, Kombucha can be a great non-alcoholic alternative as it gives the same fizzy feeling and tart taste without alcohol. Packed with live cultures and fermented tea, this Organic Peach & Jasmine Kombucha is brewed with delicate jasmine flowers and infused with the natural sweetness of peach juice for a refreshing alternative for those who enjoy a sophisticated beverage. Perfect for celebrations or a relaxing beverage at the end of a long day.

Daylesford Organic Peach & Jasmine Kombucha 

Non-alcoholic beer

For those who prefer to crack open a cold beer, there are an endless variety of non-alcoholic beers available on the market right now. From 0% pale ales to non-alcoholic versions of your favourite lagers, you’ll never have to worry about not finding an alcohol-free alternative to your go-to beverage. 

Days 0.0% Pale Ale Multipack Cans and LA Brewery Citrus Hops 

Boasting a satisfying grapefruit finish, this Days 0.0%Tropical Pale Ale offers a refreshing, bold and balanced beer to those looking for an alcohol-free alternative. Having won awards for being one of the best non-alcoholic pale ales in the UK, this 0% alcohol beer is a must-try if you’re looking to embrace a sober lifestyle.

If you’re searching for an alcohol-free beer that also has benefits for your health, this LA Brewery Citrus Hops offers a craft beer-kombucha crossover that not only tastes great but is good for you too. Balancing notes of lime, tropical fruits and flowers, this non-alcoholic beer is combined with crisp kombucha for a refreshing hoppy drink that contains gut-friendly cultures, so you can enjoy the taste of beer guilt-free.

What are the best non-alcoholic drinks that give you a buzz?

If you love the feeling you get after a couple of alcoholic drinks but want to experience that without the hangover the next day then non-alcoholic beverages that include nootropics, adaptogens and isotonic may be the sober solution for you. Giving you the buzz without the booze, these non-alcoholic drinks combine a unique blend of plant extracts and natural caffeine sources to produce beverages that mimic the euphoric buzz alcohol would typically give you but in a healthier way.

One of the most popular non-alcoholic drinks brands that are designed to give you that relaxed feeling is Three Spirits. This collection of non-alcoholic spirits was created by looking at the reasons why people choose to drink alcohol - as a pick-me-up, a way to be sociable and as a way to wind down and relax. This then led the people behind Three Spirits to find a unique blend of plant extracts and adaptogens that work together to mimic these feelings often induced by alcohol, by affecting pleasure and reward receptors in the nervous system, but without the negative health effects and toxins.

Three Spirit Drinks - Livener and Three Spirit Drinks - Nightcap 

The Livener non-alcoholic spirit is designed to give you a lively, euphoric vibe using a combination of energising plants including guayusa and schisandra, along with green tea for a natural caffeine boost. This invigorating botanical drink is fruity and sweet with a hint of bitterness to mimic the taste you may associate with a typical alcoholic gin beverage. Perfect for those who want to feel a buzz and energising confidence at the next social event but without the dreaded hangover the next day. Mix with tonic for a classic G&T feel or add into a blend of fruit juices for a refreshing mocktail.

If you’re searching for a non-alcoholic spirit that gives you that same relaxed feeling you look for in an end-of-night drink then the Nightcap elixir is for you. Combining the natural calming qualities of lemon balm and valerian with the stress-relieving properties of natural adaptogenic ashwagandha, this soothing botanical drink is made to help you wind down at the end of a stressful day. Boasting a woody, spicy flavour with notes of vanilla and maple, this non-alcoholic spirit is best enjoyed on the rocks like a traditional whiskey.

Easy mocktail recipes 

Gone are the days of mixing fruit juice and soda to create a mocktail - making non-alcoholic versions of your favourite cocktails has never been easier with the number of alcohol-free spirit alternatives available. Whether you’re looking to imitate a classic Bramble or spice things up with a non-alcoholic martini, we’ve got a number of mocktail recipes for you to follow below.

Three Spirits Social Elixir 

The key to creating a delicious mocktail that tastes as close to the real thing as possible is to get an alcohol-free spirit alternative such as those from Three Spirit, that recreates the taste of your preferred tipple. This Three Spirits Social Elixir is a non-alcoholic spirit that mimics the botanical taste of gin, containing notes of passion flower, green tea and caraway seed that work perfectly as a base in any mocktail.

How to make a non-alcoholic Bramble cocktail

A Bramble is one of the most popular cocktails for those who enjoy the taste of gin and can be easily made alcohol-free using five simple ingredients:

• 50ml of a non-alcoholic spirit

• 25ml lemon juice

• 25ml sugar syrup

• A handle full of blackberries

• A splash of soda water

In a short glass or rocks glass if you have one, muddle the blackberries and add your non-alcoholic spirit, lemon juice and syrup. Add enough crushed ice to fill the glass two-thirds full and top up with soda water.

How to make a non-alcoholic Dirty Martini cocktail

If you prefer more of a strong alcohol-like taste, a classic Dirty Martini mocktail is the one for you. All you need is three simple ingredients:

• 75ml of your preferred non-alcoholic spirit 

• 15ml green olive brine

• 2-3 olives to garnish

Add your non-alcoholic spirit of choice into a cocktail shaker along with cubes of ice and olive brine and shake for 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled, classic martini glass and add 2-3 olives on a cocktail stick for a garnish.

Embrace a sober lifestyle with Planet Organic

If you’re looking to make more mindful choices when it comes to alcohol consumption or you’re interested in elevating your sober social experiences without compromising on flavour or fun, we’ve got you covered. Browse through our full range of no and low-alcohol beverages today to find a refreshing drink that is kind to your body and taste buds.