THE ART OF LIVING AN ALCOHOL-FREE LIFESTYLE
Tip: #13 BYODD - Bring your own damn drink
THE ART OF LIVING AN ALCOHOL-FREE LIFESTYLE
A series of one-off tips served with some straight talk, a bit of sass, and a penchant for not taking oneself or life too seriously.
Tip # 13: BYODD - Bring Your Own Damn Drink
I will keep this tip short and sweet because right now, you are most likely going crazy running around trying to do things for everyone else, and you probably don't have much time to read this. So, whether you are new to this lifestyle, trying it out, or haven't had a drink in years, the holidays can be rough on us, especially when attending a holiday party. I see a lot of narratives online about how people are offended that their family member, friend, or some random party host forgot that they didn't drink and were offered nothing but water. While yes, I understand the frustration, but also - No, take care of yourself and take responsibility for meeting your own unique needs. And by this, I mean - BYODD, bring your own damn drink.
Hosting is hard, and people are busy as hell. If someone forgets that you quit drinking, try not to take it personally. The world does not revolve around us being sober. I learned very early on that if I wanted my own unique NA drink, I needed to bring it. Otherwise, I would end up with a fancy cup of water. The best guests are the ones who bring what they need, and they never put pressure on the host to take care of their specific needs.
The NA world has exploded, and the options are endless. If you haven’t already, go out and purchase a few and play around. When I quit drinking in 2015, the only option I had was Odouls and Fre wine. Nowadays, you can have red wine, white wine, rose, champagne, bourbon, tequila, gin, aperitifs, and almost anything you can conceive of. This new world of NA can satisfy pretty much anyone who is into it.
Now, all that said, you might NOT be into it, and NA may NOT be safe for you. So, with anything and everything, please have discernment and know that no one here is telling you to drink something that may trigger you in any way, shape, or form.
Scroll down to read some of my favorite NA drinks, recipes, where to buy them, and what to be aware of before purchasing. Also, a personal note on who I support with my dollars and why.
A short(ish) list of my favorites
My favorite NA bitters (All The Bitter) that I add to my drinks.
A short(ish) list of noteworthy mocktails situations
Clean + Dirty Drinking: Recipes for Drinks with or without Booze
Good Drinks: Alcohol-Free Recipes for When You're Not Drinking for Whatever Reason
A short(ish) list of places to purchase NA drinks
Soft Spirits (LA)
The New Bar (LA)
Boisson (NYC & LA)
No & Low (online)
The Zero Proof (online)
Amazon (always double-check the name of the seller)
Bevmo (all over the country)
Total Wine (all over the country)
If your local bottle shop does not carry any NA drinks, I would suggest telling them how important it is that they do. I would then share some information about how the NA world has exploded and remind them that it is the year 2023! :)
Check out your grocery stores as well. One of the most random but wide assortment of NA drinks that I have come across was in a small grocery store in Yellowknife, Canada (near the North Pole).
Buyer Beware
I have mentioned this several times, but it bears repeating. I have had two holidays ruined due to consuming a trendy NA drink with adaptogens. When it comes to herbals of any sort, know what you are drinking, and I would even go as far as “testing” it out on a day when you have nothing going on. With both incidents of drinking this brand, I was awake for over 24 hours. I was hoping the first time was a fluke, but I was affected the same way the second time. Not everyone will experience this, but it’s in your best interest to be aware of the herbal/adaptogen/caffeine content when it comes to these drinks.
A Personal Note
With the rise of NA drinks, I lean hard towards creators/owners who are in this community of non-drinkers, and I am staying as far away from large corporations who are looking to just make more money. I have no problem with people making money. Still, if I have a choice of supporting a woman-owned company that I know is a non-drinker versus some celebrity who just slapped her face on a marketing campaign for millions of dollars, I am giving my dollars to the person in this community.
And I also prefer to give my money to the NA bottle shops that are owned by women and who don’t have millions of dollars behind them. Just saying. For example, I will buy my NA wine from Soft Spirits (the first NA shop in LA and woman-owned) before Bevmo any day of the week. Even if I have to spend a few more dollars.
Much love to you, dear reader, and have a safe holiday weekend with whatever it is you will be doing.
Thanks for the reminder about adaptogens. Happened to me too and it took me a while to realize what was going on!
I don’t know how wide the distribution is but there is a Seattle based woman owned NA winemaker called Joyus that makes several wines that are pretty tasty.