How to have a fabulous booze-free break
If you’re planning a “sober Christmas” and feeling daunted by the lack of booze-free options and the inevitable comments, we’ve got some tips to set you up for success
Point of view: you’ve decided to have a booze-free holiday this silly season, but you’re finding it a bit of a challenge. Challenge number one: what are you going to drink? And challenge number two: what are you going to say? Because let’s be honest, people are going to ask…
The good news is you’re part of a growing movement of people being more mindful of their alcohol consumption. And the market has responded with some very classy booze-free options. We’re talking de-alcoholised wine, alcohol-free fermented spirits and fancy tonic waters galore – so your choices are expanding daily.
Become a booze-free mixologist
Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from having a bit of fun by mixing your own stylish sippers. Sam Ross, head sommelier at the award-winning Salsify restaurant in Cape Town, suggests you start playing around with some of our fabulous local teas. And he should know; Salsify boasts not only delicious alcohol-free drinks, but a whole pairing of virgin options designed to match its tasting menu.
“Tea is a great place to start,” he says. “It adds intensity to drinks, and it actually does something to the mouthfeel, it has a bit of texture, thanks to all those tannins. The big pitfalls with booze-free drinks are that they become too watered down, or they’re too sugary.” But cold-brewed tea helps you avoid these issues. Take a leaf from the Salsify book and just imagine this drink, which is served with Salsify’s fish course: a blend of lemon, ginger and cinnamon tea is steeped, cooled and mixed with a simple syrup infused with basil and cucumber. How refreshing!
Other valuable players in the booze-free mixing arena include kombucha (good fizz and not too sweet), shrubs or verjuice (replaces vermouth in drinks and is loaded with flavour), and making your own infused syrups or cordials – which is actually wildly simple to do. Or try one of these cool suggestions from the TASTE team.
Become a booze-free conversationalist
On to our next challenge: what to do with the inevitable questions of “You’re not drinking?” and the accompanied expressions of disbelief. Trish Blake, a clinical psychologist based in Cape Town, has a range of good responses for your booze-free arsenal. They’re polite and do not invite debate. Examples include:
- “I’m really enjoying making better choices for myself at the moment.”
- “I like trying new things. I’m having fun doing things differently this year.”
- “I’m happier when I’m feeling healthy.”
- When the inevitable suggestion of “Just a small one?” or “Just something light?” comes: “I’ll let you know if I change my mind, but for now it’s still a no, thank you.”
Trish also suggests some pre-emptive actions to take before social events:
- Let the host know you won’t be drinking. Check whether any booze-free drinks will be available, or whether you should bring your own.
- Let people know in advance that you won’t be drinking and would appreciate it not being a topic on the day.
- If it’s not appropriate to let the group know, ask one person to be your “sober support” and join you for a booze-free evening.
Also very important, she says: “Don’t put pressure on yourself to stay for the whole event. You can leave whenever it feels like the right moment to step away.”
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