What to Drink Instead of Alcohol

Gone are the days of needing to have a drink in social settings – the future of drinking is increasingly less booze forward, and I’m here for it. Personally, I’ve felt my brightest and most energetic when I’ve gone longer periods of time without alcohol. There are so many health benefits to cutting down on alcohol – my favorites being better sleep, skin, digestion, and mood. So it’s no surprise that I’m all about the trend of moving away from alcohol. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE a spicy marg or a glass of wine or two, but I prefer not to drink most nights. Especially during the workweek or if I have to wake up early and be productive the next day – even just one drink can leave me feeling noticeably less clear-headed the next day. This is what happens when you’re almost 30!!!

Anyway, what I’m really excited about is the bevy (< ha!) of new drinks that not only taste incredible but have no alcohol so you get all the fun of having “a drink” without the added hangover. Now during the week if I want to treat myself with a beverage, I reach for one of these instead of a glass of wine. You won’t miss the booze, trust me!

What to drink instead of alcohol

Kombucha

I love, love, love kombucha. If you’re looking to cut down on soda I highly recommend transitioning to kombucha first – you get gut boosting probiotics and significantly less sugar than a can of soda. My favorites are Healthade and Better Booch (both are local to LA!), however if you’re on a no/low sugar diet be sure to check the label because a bottle of kombucha can still pack 12+ grams of sugar.

Healthy Soda

I love the new “healthy” sodas from OLIPOP and Poppi. These taste better than actual soda (in my opinion) and are so much better for you while satisfying any craving you may have for a carbonated beverage. OLIPOP is filled with prebiotics, plant fiber, and botanicals, so it’s actually beneficial for your digestive health which is pretty cool. Poppi is infused with apple cider vinegar and has 20 calories a can or less, making it a much better alternative to alcohol as well.

Mocktails

You can make a very convincing mocktail thanks to non-alcoholic spirits such as Seedlip. These spirits make some of the best mocktails I’ve ever had, they’re perfect substitutes for alcoholic liquors in cocktails. Of course, it doesn’t taste like a cocktail with alcohol, but the spirits add complexity to what would otherwise be just, well, a mocktail. Before quarantine I saw Seedlip cocktails popping up all over at bars and restaurants in LA/NYC so I think these will continue growing in popularity over the next few years.

Cann

My favorite option on this list if I need to unwind at the end of a long day. These are only legal in certain states, but in California, you can find them easily. You still get a light buzz from the microdose of THC and CBD, but none of the hangover from alcohol. The pineapple jalapeno flavor is my favorite if you’re looking to share it with a friend. Lately, I’ve been reaching for these on the weekend instead of a cocktail. I like to pour in a cocktail glass and garnish with a slice of jalapeno or herbs to really give it that happy hour feeling.

What’s your favorite drink at the end of a long week?