Excellent stuff and very informative. Guinness 0.0 is amazing and becoming more widely available; they had a ‘mare serving it on draught in Dublin (and Belfast) because initially the machinery took three or four minutes to produce a pint, which was hopeless on a busy night. I drink a lot of low/no-alcohol wine for the ritual familiarity but it’s not much like the real thing. The one thing that’s almost impossible to synthesise is the spiritous kick of booze, but here’s a thing: non-alcoholic bourbon plus a bit of Rochester Ginger (online or in Holland and Barrett) recalls some of the feeling.
I fear it’s more Ye Olde Dickensian Medway town, meant to put you in mind of wholly ersatz Victorian winter jollity… McGuigan Zero Shiraz is the most common kiddy wine in my local supermarkets, though M&S (of course, because they’re M&S) do their own. Torres do one too and Eisberg is, well, Eisberg. None of them especially nice but fit a hole in my rhythm.
Agree re whiskey and red wines which were my drinks of choice.But I’m learning to just let that go. Strong recommend for Naughty pink fizz. It’s not sweet, hurrah, where I find most of them to be so.
Agree re the beers - I think Corona 0% is my favourite.
Thank you Hannah for more on this. I share the admiration of David Nutt, truly a man of integrity and wisdom.
I will hunt for Sentia, it had not hit Norfolk yet.
I actually like Crodino, ANON Nogroni and I agree that Guinness 0% is excellent. I once found a Lidl “when it’s gone it’s gone” stock of Italiamo Apertivo Rosso which is a bit sweet but acceptable with slimline tonic and ice.
AF Elvis Juice Brewdog for the citrus hit. Blackberry shrub with sparkling water definitely, plus easy to alter the sugar/vinegar balance. I also enjoy the Monin syrups used as cordials with sparkling water - a vast range of flavours to try but I quite enjoy the bog standard Grenadine - looks pretty over ice.
I like sourer rather than sweeter, so yes please to Virgin Mary with all the Tabasco. I also like a voddy-free Sea Breeze (just cranberry juice and grapefruit juice) or things and tonic.
Thanks so much. David Nutt is a hero of mine, so I'd better try some of that Sentia stuff. Can't wait for him to get his 'alcarelle' to market. https://alcarelle.com/
Yes, it feels right that DN, rather than some vast booze brand, should get our dosh. I can’t believe I’m about to say “It’s an exciting market” (who am I?), but it actually is. Very happy to ride on Gen Z’s coattails, as ever. The Youth knows…
Yeah, my gen z daughters lead me often. I'm proud of and bewildered by their clear-sightedness (sometimes!). I think DN is relying on Big Booze to develop the actual products though, and these brands are keen as mustard because they are definitely finding 'it's an exciting market'!
Thanks Hannah. Like you I've found the NA spirits lacking and many other options too sweet, plus I don't like beer. However I have found some sparkling drinks I enjoy - Noughty, white and rosé non-alcoholic wine, plus Dry Dragon which is a sparkling green tea (they have 2 other options as well, but this is the most complex one IMO). Saicho darjeeling and Dr Fischer Steinbock are similar to the Dry Dragon and white Noughty but at least double the price, so not worth it - they are sometimes on restaurant menus though. I'll check out the cava you mention! A friend swears by the CBD Hip Pops but I find them insipid. Horchata can work in some circumstances. Homemade shrubs with sparkling water is my other default - I have a blackberry one on the go atm.
Sterling investigative work, comrade. Thank you. Will seek them out. Have you tried Sentia? I find it did give me a buzz in a social situation, whether real or imagined - a placebo effect still being an effect and all that. And pleasing over ice of an evening. But haven’t invested for a while. Is the blackcurrant nice and sharp rather than Ribena-like? That said, I was brought up on Ribena. Might soothe my 70s inner child
I've added Sentia to my list based on your recommendation, it's not one I've come across before. The shrubs are made with a vinegar base so it's not sweet, but you have to be okay with that flavour profile. I think the white Noughty also has a hint of this, the rosé not. I love it, others are often less keen! 🤣
Major love for Sober Tips 1&2, much thanks - would add the Stryk Not Rum, v good with tonic doesn’t “trigger” a booze craving for me but may for others
Excellent stuff and very informative. Guinness 0.0 is amazing and becoming more widely available; they had a ‘mare serving it on draught in Dublin (and Belfast) because initially the machinery took three or four minutes to produce a pint, which was hopeless on a busy night. I drink a lot of low/no-alcohol wine for the ritual familiarity but it’s not much like the real thing. The one thing that’s almost impossible to synthesise is the spiritous kick of booze, but here’s a thing: non-alcoholic bourbon plus a bit of Rochester Ginger (online or in Holland and Barrett) recalls some of the feeling.
I hope as in Earl of Roch? What are your chosen wines?
I fear it’s more Ye Olde Dickensian Medway town, meant to put you in mind of wholly ersatz Victorian winter jollity… McGuigan Zero Shiraz is the most common kiddy wine in my local supermarkets, though M&S (of course, because they’re M&S) do their own. Torres do one too and Eisberg is, well, Eisberg. None of them especially nice but fit a hole in my rhythm.
Agree re whiskey and red wines which were my drinks of choice.But I’m learning to just let that go. Strong recommend for Naughty pink fizz. It’s not sweet, hurrah, where I find most of them to be so.
Agree re the beers - I think Corona 0% is my favourite.
A good cup of tea and a square or two of posh dark choc… bliss. And even more blissful with a whippet or two by one’s side.
You’re right - on omission
Thank you Hannah for more on this. I share the admiration of David Nutt, truly a man of integrity and wisdom.
I will hunt for Sentia, it had not hit Norfolk yet.
I actually like Crodino, ANON Nogroni and I agree that Guinness 0% is excellent. I once found a Lidl “when it’s gone it’s gone” stock of Italiamo Apertivo Rosso which is a bit sweet but acceptable with slimline tonic and ice.
Books - A A Gill Pour Me - A Life.
AF Elvis Juice Brewdog for the citrus hit. Blackberry shrub with sparkling water definitely, plus easy to alter the sugar/vinegar balance. I also enjoy the Monin syrups used as cordials with sparkling water - a vast range of flavours to try but I quite enjoy the bog standard Grenadine - looks pretty over ice.
I like sourer rather than sweeter, so yes please to Virgin Mary with all the Tabasco. I also like a voddy-free Sea Breeze (just cranberry juice and grapefruit juice) or things and tonic.
Thanks so much. David Nutt is a hero of mine, so I'd better try some of that Sentia stuff. Can't wait for him to get his 'alcarelle' to market. https://alcarelle.com/
Yes, it feels right that DN, rather than some vast booze brand, should get our dosh. I can’t believe I’m about to say “It’s an exciting market” (who am I?), but it actually is. Very happy to ride on Gen Z’s coattails, as ever. The Youth knows…
Yeah, my gen z daughters lead me often. I'm proud of and bewildered by their clear-sightedness (sometimes!). I think DN is relying on Big Booze to develop the actual products though, and these brands are keen as mustard because they are definitely finding 'it's an exciting market'!
https://gabalabs.com/ sorry, for anyone interested in alcarelle, this is the link you need.
Thanks Hannah. Like you I've found the NA spirits lacking and many other options too sweet, plus I don't like beer. However I have found some sparkling drinks I enjoy - Noughty, white and rosé non-alcoholic wine, plus Dry Dragon which is a sparkling green tea (they have 2 other options as well, but this is the most complex one IMO). Saicho darjeeling and Dr Fischer Steinbock are similar to the Dry Dragon and white Noughty but at least double the price, so not worth it - they are sometimes on restaurant menus though. I'll check out the cava you mention! A friend swears by the CBD Hip Pops but I find them insipid. Horchata can work in some circumstances. Homemade shrubs with sparkling water is my other default - I have a blackberry one on the go atm.
Sterling investigative work, comrade. Thank you. Will seek them out. Have you tried Sentia? I find it did give me a buzz in a social situation, whether real or imagined - a placebo effect still being an effect and all that. And pleasing over ice of an evening. But haven’t invested for a while. Is the blackcurrant nice and sharp rather than Ribena-like? That said, I was brought up on Ribena. Might soothe my 70s inner child
I've added Sentia to my list based on your recommendation, it's not one I've come across before. The shrubs are made with a vinegar base so it's not sweet, but you have to be okay with that flavour profile. I think the white Noughty also has a hint of this, the rosé not. I love it, others are often less keen! 🤣
Thanks Abby. I don’t really like the white Noughty but I do like the pink fizz one.
Hannah, this was such an uplifting piece, thank you. I’m v sensitive to caffeine so I’ve stayed away from Sentia - do you have a view on this?
I’d not thought about dark choc appetiser for parties - excellent tip!💕
Loving all this sober stuff, 7 months free xx
A wondrously comprehensive list 👍
Major love for Sober Tips 1&2, much thanks - would add the Stryk Not Rum, v good with tonic doesn’t “trigger” a booze craving for me but may for others