Finding yummy drinks that aren't alcoholic is very important - especially when we first quit drinking. What do you like to drink in place of alcohol? This Sober Toolbox is a space for sharing recipes and ideas for delicious alternative liquids. If you're looking for more discussion, interactions and feedback, head inside our Members Feed. That's where the real-time conversations take place.
Going sober we need all the support we can get. AF drinks are very helpful and part of a growing trend worldwide as more people are going sober or becoming aware of the dangers of alcohol. There are now many options available online and in shops. Delicious guilt-free drinking, especially to get one over the wine o’clock hurdle when newly sober.
Home-made Lemonade (from NZ Gardener)
4 lemons
1/4 cup sugar (I reduced from 3/4 cup)
1 litre water
ice cubes
sprigs of fresh mint
Scrub the skin of the lemons.
Squeeze 2 1/2 lemons and reserve the juice.
Cut remaining lemons into thick slices (I remove the pips) and put them and 1/2 the sugar into a large glass jug.
Use a potato masher (I use my hands as it’s quicker) to press lemon slices into the sugar then leave to stand for 15 minutes before adding remaining juice, water, ice cubes and the remaining sugar.
Stir well to dissolve the sugar, garnish with mint and serve.
This is also a great way to make grapefruit juice.
I have a productive lemon tree so it’s a great way to use the lemons. This is not sweet (with the reduced amount of sugar) and you can even dilute it if it’s too strong.
I think the sugar fix you get from alcoholic drinks gives you a pick-me-up instantly so this has been great while I adjusted to no alcohol.
I’m so week
Useless
My local supermarket here in NZ was doing a taste test for AF cocktails in a can by Elta Ego. They have free shipping and 15% your first order right now. They are low in sugar and really nice with 4 different flavours. Hope it’s ok to mention brand names on here!
Someone told me ginger beer is a good thirst quencher, and I’ve got to agree. A quality bottle of botanical ginger beer from Tesco’s here in the UK. You can add lime and lots of ice.
Recently I’ve started enjoying a drink called a Shrub. Raspberry shrub, peach shrub, pretty much any berry-flavored shrub. Its acidity gives me the feeling of drinking something potent, and yet it’s refreshing and tasty and wakes up the part of my brain that likes to celebrate.
Mix a cup of berries with about 1/2 cup sugar (or more, or less) and vinegar (I like apple cider vinegar) to make the shrub. Let it sit in a jar for a day until its well-dissolved. To make the drink the next day, give it a shake, strain some into a fancy cocktail glass with club soda and a garnish. Voila!
Apologies if this is a well-known drink, but I’ve just discovered it myself and I love it!
Pomegranate juice is a great alternative. Get the unfiltered kind. It has the same kind of mouthfeel as red wine, and is delicious. Plus, it looks like red wine, so nobody asks what you’re drinking.
Hi everyone. I’ve read a lot of comments where choice is the problem. I stopped drinking 8 years ago and found that a lack of choice around non alcoholic drinks to be the biggest problem as well as the quality of the options in the market. My wife and I started our ecommerce business, “Clear Head Drinks” in order to offer people non alcoholic & alcohol free beverage choices all under one roof. Please have a look at the website https://www.clearheaddrinks.co.nz/ and feel free to contact me if there are any drinks missing that you would love to find. We are developing the site all of the time an welcome feedback and help! Stopping drinking alcohol does not mean that you have to stop drinking great tasting adult drinks and be removed from the occasion!
Hi thanks for sharing the link
Great idea
I have yet to find any wine equivalent that I don’t want to tip down the sink ! Will check it out
Hi Ricky, do you cover the UK? Stephen
Hi Stephen. Sorry, no we don’t but there are some great options in the UK such as “The Alcohol Free Company” or “Wise Bartender” who stock a fantastic range of non alcoholic beverages. Look them up on the internet and I am sure that you will find something that you will enjoy.
I need to stop my fifty-year love affair with wine due to some health issues. I have tried non-alcoholic beer and dealcoholized wine… NOT! Sparkling water does not have the same “mouth” as a full-bodied red wine and not as satisfying, especially with a good meal. Yes, there are a lot cocktail alternatives, but I have found no replacement for a hearty red wine. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Cranberry juice?
Is it just me, or does anyone feel that non-alcoholic drinks that pretend to be alcoholic are a waste of time? i personally prefer sparkling water with fresh lime juice!
Yes! I don’t want to pretend to drink. For me that would be perpetuating the issue. I just want to forget ‘alcohol feels’ and move right on. I’m going to experiment with making yummy syrups to go with soda water from my soda stream. I want to save every penny!
Hi Gill….I felt exactly the same way and that was why my wife and I started “Clear Head Drinks Limited”. Have a look through the site and see what you think. The wines from Ariel are amazing and if you like craft beer there are some fantastic choices.
right?!..it’s like let’s play drinking ..
H Danny. I guess it’s how you look at it! I’ve been sober for 8 years and have used non alcoholic drinks to allow me to enjoy the occasion without any of the nasty side effects and after effects. Everyone is different and must do what’s safe for them.
Hi there! Getting very bored with water but finding the substitute drinks too sweet!
Isobel0204@gmail.com
I enjoy infused water. But don’t think to make it often enough. I’ll add these ingredients to my shopping list today. Rosemary and lemon. or cut up strawberries and oranges in the bottom of the pitcher, crushed. So many combinations. I am not much on sparkling water, so any other suggestions without that are greatly appreciated!
Mint is easy to grow anywhere and is super infused in water with lemon and cucumber slices
Last night was my first night out for dinner as a non drinker. I had viewed the drinks menu beforehand so I knew what I was going to order. I ordered a virgin lychee mojito. It was delicious and when I’d finished I couldn’t let all that yummy mint, lime and lychee go to waste, so I topped up my glass twice with the bottled water from the table.
I have found some real nice alternatives to alcohol that I enjoy. I love the Jacobs Creek Unvined alcohol removed Sparkling Sav, it tastes just like the real thing and super low in calories, not too sweet either. I also enjoy the DB Export and Heineken 0% on a hot Summers day, tastes just like beer! Other alternatives are Fever Tree Tonics with lemon and lime, just on their own or the East Emperial Grapefruit Tonic is a favourite, love that bitter taste to sip on during social events or just at home relaxing. Lastly I really enjoy a simple Soda, Lemon & Lime. Hope this is helpful to anyone looking for an alternative go to for booze x
Hi
Where did you purchase the Kacobs Creek one? I hope you are doing well! It’s my first day!
Hi did you ever fined out there to get the Jacobs Creek Sparkling Sav?
Cheers
Stevie
Day five for me G. How are you going?
Have found Vista naturally flavoured sparkling water to be an amazing alternate drink for the difficult 5pm cooking dinner time. It comes in cans (12 pack) from the supermarket (Countdown here in NZ). Zero sugar and 1 calorie per can. Lots of different flavours. I’ve been having 3 or 4 a day in these early days but figure it’s still way better than the usual bottle of wine!
Thanks can’t wait to try them
look up malt carribean latin – oh and for smoking mint rosemary and jasmin
I found some 100% natural Apple Juice in Countdown but its Sparkling. I have never seen this before the brand is Parkers. I mix 1/2 and 1/2 with Tonic. I think I have found my drink of choice.
I think the best product for the most whole body and natural drink alternatives is AMMA Healing which brings balance and healing through organic, hemp-extract products and hemp oils for a balanced mind, body, and soul including an alcohol alternative elixir for the sober curious and health oriented. They have zero thc, additives, and organic sourcing to make you feel a healthy buzz with no booze.
Where do you find this in Nz?
I have not long come across Peroni Libera 0.0% beer. Unfortunately it’s not cheap but for former lager-type beer drinkers I think it’s a great choice. It tastes like a beer and is not too ‘hoppy’ and or bitter like some of the other alcohol free beer options.
Many alcohol-free drinks are so sweet. I also now enjoy soda water with slices of lemon. It’s cheap, refreshing and hydrating and best of all, I can drink as much as I like!
My current fave mocktail is crush ice in Nutri bullet with juice of half a lime and mint leaves. Put in a tall glass add decent dash of Barkers rhubarb, raspberry and rosehip cordial and top up with sparkling water. Stunning. Also can’t beat a spicy Virgin Mary with a stick of celery.
Also McGuigans AF sparkling wine is the best I’ve had yet. Followed by Edendale, then cloudy and lastly Lindaur.
Other than those it’s black adder liquorice tea.
Ooh definitely going to try that mocktail.. sounds delicious!!
Not really a fan of sweet drinks so having difficulty finding good substitutes. My favorite NA beer is Clausthaler and Heineken 0%. Also found Gruvi AF Prosecco which is a nice treat but pricey. Cant find any decent AF wine though. There seems to be less of a range here in the US than in Europe. (Azanti looks great, I just looked them up.)
Hi Healthyhabits,
I’m keen to learn where you find Gruvi prosecco. Thanks 🙂
Is the Prosecco sweet or dry? Like many I don’t like sweet and alot of the AF wines are very sweet.
I like the Gruvi and don’t find it too sweet. I ordered it off of Facebook and now guess what? Facebook ads popping up all over for AF drinks. Big brother out there watching!
I came across Azanti Sober lifestyle a few weeks ago and they have an amazing range of wine.
Their Espora red wine and Sparkling wine is the best i have ever tried. Its also vegan and Halal for those interested in sharing with a diverse crowd
The Edenvale red wine (merlot) is pretty good on a cool evening made up as a mulled wine – add cinnamon stick, a whole anise star, a bit of honey, sliced orange and warm it up. It seems to me that is is still a bit of an alcoholic type of behaviour -as I put it in a stemless wine glass and sip away as I watch TV. But I am over tea and coffee and soft drinks at that time of night, and don’t want to get a chocolate habit!
Heineken 0% beer if you want something at the bars when everyone else is drinking and hold a real bottle. I need to work on getting comfortable socializing without a “substitution” though like another beer because that isn’t saving me any money. Anxiety is real and I get very quiet and irate without it in group settings
Purchased Seedlip non alcoholic gin to try for drinks at home. Will write back with a review!
Purchased Lindauer Free Brut champagne which has less than 0.5% alcohol – it’s an “alcohol removed” beverage so it has trace amount. I had a few glasses so far and it’s yum.
These don’t all save money but for someone who is working on just trying to not have alcohol at first, this is a step for me. I hope eventually to save my money and not have to waste cash on even the fake spirits one day.
I tried DB Export Citrus 0.0% I liked it but it is quite sweet.
Hi Sophiedl,
How was the Seedlip non-alcoholic gin? I’m considering giving it a go.
Thanks 🙂
Highly recommend! I’m on day 9 sobriety and have loved the Seedlip citrus flavour with tonic and lemon. Tastes just like a G&T.
My friend and I made up the drink ‘grapefruit spritzer’. Fresh grapefruit juice (now is the season), topped up with soda water with a splash of lime and some of the barkers ginger beer cordial. Over ice. So refreshing 🙂
Half a lime squeezed over a third (or half) full glass of ice and topped up with coke.
I like Kombucha. Lots of flavour but low sugar and is fermented so good for you too.
I’m enjoying ginger beer mixed with cran-cherry juice! I put it in a pretty, glass tumbler with lots of crushed ice. The ginger beer adds the little ‘zing’ and makes my lips tingle a bit, and it’s so refreshing at the end of a hot summer day!
I never heard of Ginger Beer.I use to pulsate ginger with water and then add it to seltzer.
I’m probably substituting one addiction for another, but have found having a special “mocktail” in the evening gives me something to look forward to. My latest favorite is an ounce of ginger syrup with a generous squeeze of lime topped off with seltzer water (tangerine works well) and ice. I overdid it last night by having three but at least I didn’t have alcohol!
I find cranberry juice and tonic water good – in a big glass with ice, it’s quite punchy, so you know you’re having a drink. 1/3 cranberry to 2/3 tonic is how I have it, but you can adjust it to taste.
Big fan of Kin Euphorics 🙂 No alch, doesn’t get u drunk, but has a mix of ingredients that make u feel good & balanced… its pretty subtle so don’t expect something crazy. But its definitely more exciting than sparkling water or soda!
Hey, have looked at Kin Euphorics online and can’t see where to buy it in New Zealand! Did you buy it in NZ? It looks delish!
It has become a habit of after work while cooking dinner I pour that first glass of wine (sometimes don’t even want it) and then continue the rest of the evening until bedtime. There is something addictive. I would rather have more wine than eat. I would really like to stop drinking so much. I do feel like it takes some of my stress away after work, but would love to find and alternative…and don’t say exercise. I only drink water or unsweet tea so in the evening I want something different. I have also put on weight which sucks.
Sounds good. How do I do it..I hear u Tammy. Food, booze first. But trying to find something to replace
I Have found non alcohol wines and gins/whiskeys/vodkas. I actually enjoy wine/champagne as well as the flavor of gin. I have purchased non alcoholic Heineken beer and a non alcohol champagne. So far, I like them! I have yet to try to Seedlip gin I purchased.
The other night I made myself an espresso martini with a double shot of espresso, water, vanilla syrup, and a pinch of salt. I chilled the espresso and the glass before mixing and did the proper garneshing. It made me feel like I was actually having a real treat!
We also have a soda stream and some cordials to make juices/waters.
This resonates hugely. Cold sparkly water in a wine glass has worked for me in the past. We have a soda stream which makes this easy. The last few days I have not cooked just to avoid the “one wine while cooking” that leads to a bottle.
Thanks
1 month sober had to quit cause of heart failure miss my strawberrittas with strawberry rum need a non alcohol drink any body got any suggestion scant have any wine either
Maybe google Mojito recipes, non alcoholic cocktails. When I was working on hospitality we occasionally used to have to make enough for 2-3 hundred people so I would find simple but delicious recipes on line…..actually that sounds nice, might do it myself lol
drink milk its high in calcium and also taste great.
I love Spindrift sparkling waters which have real fruit juice. 9 calories, taste great and they seem to help.
Eight Vines or Danesh – a non-alcoholic alternative to wine. Super low calories and very low sugar plus packed with anti oxidants. Great mixer too for popular drinks.
I mix apple juice with lightly sparkling water, and drink it from a wine glass. It looks like wine and tastes great. I make a bottle of this and have the option to add one small glass of wine to it. If you really want to sell have that wine experience, use an empty wine bottles, fill will apple juice and sparkling water, one glass of wine…… and use your favourite wine glass. You can drink a full bottle, with the pleasure of knowing you have only consumed one glass of alcohol. Even better if you can manage without adding the glass of wine!!
I think mixing wine with non-alcoholic wine is a great idea. The wine improves the taste of the non-alcoholic wine, while the non-alcoholic wine cuts the calories for the regular wine. Slight buzz, but wears off.
Cutting down on alcohol consumption, even wayyyy down, is not “living sober”. The brain can find all sorts of ways to justify feeding an addiction, even if it is just a tiny bit. Gotta keep it real.
I agree. For me, cutting down just spiralled back into full-on evening drinking again. The only way for me was to eliminate it entirely and try and change my mindset. Day 10, I think I am making progress.
I’ve relied on red wine in the evenings for years. The amount I drink has increased drastically. I now need 1.5 bottles per night. I know this is bad. I am 53. Tried everything. Including useless Kava! Can anyone help me by asking me not to go to the doctor for help? I am a strong willed person but when it comes to alcohol I’m a weakling.
Change to cider or beer. Then find something you love which is incompatible with alcohol like weight training and tell yourself if you don’t drop the alcohol you can’t do the thing. It’s what I’m doing. I’ve ditched wine and vodka and am down to around 4 ciders a night. Getting it under that is the hard thing. I could do it quite easily if my environment wasn’t so bloody stressful! Still I’m going to try cut it down to two a day. Then zero.
Hi, I am 53 too and was drinking about the same, plus finishing any leftovers from bottles or glasses in the morning. I am on day 8 sober and starting to feel a lot better. At night I have been drinking alcohol-free beer and wine which has helped take my mind off wine. For some reason something clicked, I listened to the book The sober diaries which really helped me also.
I’ve always enjoyed Coke with raspberry.
cokes my go to and a cup of tea. I cant do non alcoholic drinks its too close to home to have a alcohol free cider or beer, that does my head in, id rather drink the real thing!
Camomile and Spiced Apple and Lemon and Ginger.
Whoa! This I’m trying tonight for my Oscar’s party. Thank you! Do you make the tea first, then add the rest?
Has anyone tried seedlip? I read some reviews and they said it was the most expensive bottle of flavoured water. So i have been experimenting with gin botanicals trying to make a non alcoholic spirit.
I got a bottle to get me through my sober 40th! Was expensive yes, but I like it with soda as not sickeningly sweet. Well worth the investment, as this was my first party with friends who I have previously all drunk with. I totally felt the need to “drink” but still got to wake up with only a sugar hangover from eating too much birthday cake. Go on, treat yourself it is Christmas!!!
Love Nosecco – which is the alcohol free version of Prosecco and is great for parties
Been drinking 0% beers for the last ten years .
It’s a great alternative if it doesn’t trigger you off .
A while ago someone asked me why bother ?
My response was a question ..
Why do you drink coke? His answer ..it tastes nice , so I said well there’s your answer .
when I want something fun out with the girls-ginger beer with lime or I ask the bartender to make me a fun mocktail-not too sweet; shirley temple with lime and extra cherries
when I’m thirsty or just bored at home-regular coffee or tea, sparkling water with lime or a squeeze of fresh grapefruit
when I want a treat-a fancy coffee drink-I justify the expense and the calories by reminding myself that no matter how much I like the drink I have never wanted to have seven of them in a row the way I used to with my favorite glasses of wine
I hear you! I’ve never wanted 7 non alcoholic drinks in a row like I would would wine either. I’m going to try finger beer with lime. That sound nice. Thanks.
@brooke I love it, no matter how much you like a drink – you will never have 7 in a row – too true. I used to have a bottle of wine in the spa – now I have a glass of peach iced tea, only one glass, not a whole bottle.
black friday sales and i just purchased a nutri bullet
being that every time i make a big purchase i like to have a wine but this time i made a ice coffee and it was better than the brought ones
cold coffee drink
favourite ice cream
and my secret ingredient condensed milk
ice if you like
wizz full power
yum
enjoy
I was really into soda water (DIY) plain but at an arthritis workshop recently heard it depletes bones of calcium and therefore I am avoiding it as much as possibly. Current fav are fruit teas (in particular berry ones (any kind), Having them hot at the moment but also cold on ice when the weather heats up…..maybe with just a little soda water!!
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/does-carbonated-water-harm-bones. Actually, it looks like your source of information is mistaken.
Soda water with various cordials. I like mine weaker than most as it’s then not so sweet. Some good cordials are the cucumber/mint and another one is lemon line and bitters. If your not into bubbly, try the peach ice tea cordial. Very thirst quenching.
I am enjoying ice water with lemon slices and fresh basil leaves. Also for a mid-morning snack, I make a smoothie with a granny smith apple, a handful of spinach, 1/4 cup greek vanilla yogurt, a dash of cocunut oil and some protein powder. Yum, and it takes my mind off cravings and makes me feel healthy 🙂
Hey all. I have lapsed and now feel guilty at myself. But would really like alternatives to drink at home when I want to reach for the booze, I like cups of tea but anything else would be cool – maybe something more snazzy ?
Hi Manda, just a scan through the comments and I see there is someone who actually has a website selling non alcoholic adult beverages.
http://www.clearheaddrinks.co.nz
Looks great 👍