April 8, 2024

The Latest and Greatest Drinks for the Sober Curious

About Katie Neal

Content Manager

Katie Neal is a former Parade magazine editor who was lucky enough to interview two of her idols — Jimmy Carter and Taylor Swift —before pivoting to a career in marketing. Now she leads content strategy and engagement for Brookdale Senior Living.

Have you ever thought about cutting back on alcohol for a while—to try to help you sleep better, save some money, cut calories or just see what life is like without beer goggles? If so, you’re in good company. In a January 2024 study commissioned by NCSolutions, 41% of Americans participating in the study said they planned to drink less in 2024—an increase from the 34% planning to drink less in 2023. More than 1 in 3 Americans tried a nonalcoholic (NA) drink in 2023, including beer, wine and mocktails.

People re-examining their relationship to alcohol without cutting it out entirely often call themselves “sober curious,” a term generally agreed to have been coined by author Ruby Warrington in her 2018 book, Sober Curious: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Limitless Presence, and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol. The term caught on and sparked a sequel, a podcast and more.

Gen Z in particular has shown a higher interest in abstaining from alcohol than previous generations. In the above survey, 61% of Gen Z participants said they plan to drink less this year.

A highlight of this movement is that the market has exploded with lots of non-alcoholic (or low-alcohol) beverage options. No longer do you have to order an O’Doul’s at a social outing or toast at a wedding with club soda! Here are just a few of the new drinks that may quell your cocktail craving—without the hangover.

Gen Z in particular has shown a higher interest in abstaining from alcohol than previous generations. In the above survey, 61% of Gen Z participants said they plan to drink less this year.

If you like beer

First things first: your favorite alcoholic beer may now be offered in a non-alcoholic version! Guinness 0 evokes the original with notes of coffee and chocolate, but is brewed to be nonalcoholic. Sierra Nevada created an IPA called Trail Pass for fans of that bitter hoppy flavor, but who want less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) per can. IPA lovers may also want to try Sam Adams’ NA offering, Just the Haze, which also has less than 0.5% ABV. Also check out Coors Edge (less than 0.5% ABV) or entirely nonalcoholic offerings such as, Budweiser Zero, Heineken 0.0 and Stella Artois Liberte.

That said, if you’re a craft beer connoisseur, it’s likely worth checking out offerings from smaller breweries, where many brewers have taken on the challenge of creating top-tier brews so tasty you won’t miss the alcohol. Athletic Brewing Co is one of the first, and its Upside Dawn Golden Ale, containing less than 0.5% ABV, gets rave reviews. Also check out NA offerings with less than 0.5% ABV from Untitled Art and Brooklyn Brewery.

If you like wine

The bad news: the taste and mouthfeel of wine is particularly hard to replicate in a nonalcoholic version, since the fermentation process is what gives the flavor much of its nuance. But some winemakers are optimistic that they’ll crack the code soon. Brands like Noughty, Surely (with its wine available in standard size wine bottles or cans with less than 0.5% ABV) and Proxies are among those making the cut on best-of lists. (Bubbles tend to help, so consider opting for sparkling NA wines for a better experience.)

If you like liquor

There are several options for cocktail fans. If you love to mix up your own drink, check out straight spirits made in nonalcoholic versions. Ritual’s tequila alternative can make a spicy virgin margarita for Taco Tuesday. Gin lovers might try a Negroni or classic G&T with Monday’s gin alternative.

Premixed mocktails, in cans or bottles, are a great portable option to bring to a gathering. Try Better Than Booze, which offers NA versions of a Paloma and a Mojito. For more unique flavor combos, Curious Elixers has option like Sicilian Blood Orange Spritz and Smoked Cherry Chocolate Old Fashioned.

Want some more personalized recs? Check to see if there’s a non-alcoholic bottle shop in a city near you. (The pun-ny names like “Inmoxicated,” “Spirited Away” and “Minus Moonshine” are just a bonus.)

_{The above content is shared for educational and informational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before beginning any diet program, taking any additional or discontinuing any existing medications, or acting on any content on this website, especially if you have a medical condition. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on our site. References to any products, services, third parties, or links to third-party websites do not constitute an endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of such products, services, or third parties by Brookdale or its affiliates.}