What do you drink at the pub if you don’t drink alcohol?

[Footballmyarse]

I don’t drink anymore (I’ve had a huge health scare and it’s shocked me into a lot of changes). I don’t really go out anyway as I moved across the country and don’t know anyone, this will be the first time in about 5 years.

I have been invited out by some new friends though.

This will be the first time I’ve gone to a pub and not had alcohol. And I don’t want to make a big deal of it as they are all 10 or so years younger than me (i’m 42, they are all late 20s), we met through our toddlers. Not a massive deal I know but I have had the odd comment from them about being in my 40s and things, and it’s clear they are up for a big night.

So what do you do if you don’t drink? I don’t want to make a big deal of not drinking either. I know one of dh colleagues doesn’t drink, he orders himself a lemonade and pretends there is vodka in it to get round the people who keep going on and on at him to just have one. I always found in the past that if one person doesn’t drink, there is always someone who is like a dog with a bone and won’t leave it.

But equally, I don’t want to sit there with glass after glass of pop that I don’t want just so I have “something”.

And yes, I am overthinking! It’s lovey to have finally met some nice people and I don’t want to cock it up!

@Footballmyarse I do drink alcohol but often don’t want to, so here’s what I have:
coke zero
elderflower cordial with soda
low alcohol beers - not the lagers but say Brewdog punk AF, Ghost Ship AF, Dead Pony AF,
LA cider (again some good ones)
blackcurrant and soda
Nosecco
LA gins
J2O

… all the usual mixers - tonic, diet lemonade, fruit juice and so on

If they're all in their 20s with toddlers there will almost certainly be someone who is pregnant/co-sleeping/breastfeeding* so I don't think you'll be the only one not drinking!

(*I know you don't have to not drink while feeding but lots of people choose not to)

I like a lime and soda or a j2O Have they brought the Christmas J2O back this year?

Ginger beer with a wedge of lime
Alcohol-free beer but that’s obviously tricky with the coeliac issue
Diet Coke with a maraschino cherry
Orange juice and lemonade

Since Gin and Tonic got so popular I find that most places have a good selection of nice flavoured tonics so if I’m not drinking r just want one alcoholic drink that’s what I order

On the rare occasion I go out I'm always driving so whilst I might have one g&t i usually stick to lime and soda. I'm always amazed at the difference in prices charged for a glass of basically fizzy water and cordial - some places charge 70p for a pint, another might charge £3.50! However having read some of the earlier replies I might start trying Ginger Ale or pineapple and soda. Can't cope with Coke or Pepsi and more.

Orange juice and lemonade.

Seedlip alcohol free gins are gorgeous, we went to a restaurant on Monday and I had the spice one with tonic - they put star anise in the glass with the ice and it was gorgeous. I've put a bottle onto my Christmas shop.

You can get gluten free lager, Perroni do one.

Elderflower tonic

Blackcurrant and soda. Or lime and soda. I was a huge beer drinker before but now I look forward to the pub so I can have a blackcurrant and soda 🤣

Alcohol free beer has improved immensely since it first appeared, and I really wouldn't overthink it OP - loads of people drink that sort of thing nowadays and it's unlikely that anyone will take the piss out of you. It was different years ago, but times have changed for the better. Have a good time.

I just drink fancy tonic, I would of stuck gin in it before. Local pub sells fevertree and I work my way along the shelf. I like the pink one and they do an elderflower version which is quite nice and even the plain is completely drinkable over ice. You could get alchohol free gin but I don't find it adds much.It's really common in pubs now for non drinkers to be catered for.

J2o, coke and blackcurrant (diet coke with a shot of blackcurrant), lime and lemon.

My choice of drink, is one that a lovely Caribbean gentleman suggested I try when I worked in a pub in the late 1970s - it was his choice of 'I'm driving tonight' drink - police used to lurk up the road and catch the drivers on the way back from the pub.
Orange juice, ginger ale and a shot of lime, in a half pint glass topped up with ice - if you want alcohol in it, add a shot of rum or Maliboo - I prefer this to rum as the coconut just adds to the flavour mix. You can also ask for a slice of lemon or lime if they have it.
I find it refreshing, the ginger makes it zingy, and it looks interesting - especially nowadays as some bars that are geared to cocktails tend to jazz it up by adding the umbrellas, and slices /pieces of fruit, lemon etc on cocktails sticks. I've often got asked about my choice and people have copied, moving away from alcohol.

You're overthinking it.

I just have coke or lemonade.

You don't have to give, or owe anyone an explanation.

Just diet coke and i don't keep up always just drink at my own pace
Oj and lemonade as well sometimes

I don't drink.

I tend to drive to pubs just in case some does decide to be a dog with a bone about it.

Non alcoholic gin and tonic is my go to. It feels like a proper drink when it isn't

Just get a becks blue- seems to stop it being the topic

Far more people don't drink these days, and it's not a big deal now. I did have people refuse to get me water in the pub in my younger days, but these days so many people don't drink because of driving, short-term or chronic health reasons, got out of the habit when they had small children, etc, etc.

I quite like alcohol free gin and tonic, looks exactly the same and comes in the nice big balloon glass with a straw and ice, tastes VERY similar and no would know that you're not drinking.

Agree, don't pretend you are drinking. But having a drink in front of you seems more natural so obviously you will want to order something. Dont get in to rounds.
Just say you don't drink alcohol anymore and leave it at that.
I will have lime and soda, fresh oj and soda, ginger beer. Coke gets a bit boring.

Depending on the pub I might even have a coffee.

Lime and soda, especially if they can do it with fresh lime.
50-50 oj and soda

Don't pretend. No one really gives a monkey's whether you're drinking or not- they'll soon adjust.

Sometimes a fizzy rhubarb or Elderflower or sometimes a lime and soda.
Can't remember last time I had an alcoholic drink in a pub!

People never know whether I'm drinking or not as I have lemonade and lime with a slice of lime if I'm not (I don't drink most of the time!) and if I do fancy a drink I have a shot of vodka in it. Don't overthink it. I know when I'm out I never pay attention to what people are drinking, I'm just enjoying being out the house! They've invited you so must already enjoy your company!

Normally lime squash, or ginger, I don’t drink either.

Thanks, I am sure I will find something tonight!

I genuinely can’t make the pre pub drinks at one of their houses as my older dc has a sports club that doesn’t finish until 8pm, so they probably won’t notice if I am not drinking when I meet them at the pub anyway.