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!

Tonic water or ginger beer normally.

Ginger ale
Coke
Soda and lime
Seedlip and tonic
Sometimes a mocktail if it's that type place

I think Seedlip and tonic is good when you want to feel like you're having a proper drink

Ginger ale/beer or bitter lemon.

I do have a drink once a year or so, but I mostly don't bother drinking at all when I go out (I just can't be arsed) and I order alcohol free cocktails/slushes. You know, 'fun' fruity drinks that I actually want to drink, rather than buying for the sake of having a drink in my hand. Plus, nobody ever asks, they just assume it's an alcoholic cocktail.

Most pubs sell alcohol koppaberg cider- strawberry and lime in a big glad with lots of ice and fresh lime is always nice

Alcohol free koppaberg cider, that should read. I haven't drank for three years, but still regularly go out to bars and pubs. i'm in Australia and most bars do excellent coffee, so I tend to have a coffee followed by a couple of mocktails or lemon, lime and bitters

If I'm not drinking alcohol, I tend to go for a lemonade or non-alcoholic fruity cider. Or if there's decent sounding ones, a mocktail 😊

Lemonade, lime & bitters always a good option... Looks and smells alcoholic but isn't!

I was going to suggest this too. The spiciness is really warming at this time of year. My favourite non alcoholic winter's drink.

AF beer or cider
Fancy tonic water (Fever Tree or similar)
Two ginger ales topped up with soda in a pint glass
Lime and soda as a last resort

Just be honest about it. Not drinking alcohol is fairly common these days, for a whole range if reasons. No need to lie about it or pretend. In fact you get people are probably more likely to not be bothered about it too, ime.

I have sparkling water. I really like sparkling water, nut I really hate the way it is served in most pubs and restaurants. They dump a bottle and a tumbler in front of you,whilst everybody else gets nice glasses , wine drinkers get a nice glass with a stem, gin drinkers especially get all sorts of fancy bits and bobs in their drinks. I’d like the same.

Bitters are alcoholic. You usually only have a few drops, so it's not a big issue, but depending on the reason for someone not drinking, they may not be at all appropriate.

If I’m not drinking then sparkling water

But agree with first poster you’re overthinking it. Just drink what you want to

Alcohol free gin is generally quite palatable.

I have posh tonic in a nice glass (you have to hassle to get one in some pubs) with ice and lemon. Unless you are doing rounds, no-one would know. If you are doing rounds, make something up to keep them off your back. Early start, busy day, medication etc.
It's a pain but generally means you can get on with having fun without getting grief.
I sometimes just say, I'm not drinking at the moment and no-one seems to care but there are options x

Diet coke, lemonade or alcohol free beer if they have it!

@Footballmyarse I'm with you. I too have had some health issues currently being investigated. I suspect I might be gluten intolerant as 2 weeks on a strict gluten free has reduced down my very unpleasant neurological issues and a Sunday dinner with gravy and non gluten free Yorkers brought them back with a vengeance for 3 days. I'm also on beta blockers for last 2 weeks so am trying to avoid alcohol. Went out with friends last week and had 3 mocktails . Missed the wine I admit but still enjoyed the night

Explain you can't drink alcohol for health reasons then order yourself a nice pint of alcohol-free cider/sparkling water etc.

You don't have to explain any further than that.

I don't drink. I have whatever I fancy - usually coke, lemonade, orange or cranberry juice, J2O etc. Anyone who pesters me is put firmly in their place. I am constantly amazed that the pressure to drink and the image of drinking as 'cool' continues indefinitely through adulthood. I'm usually first on the dancefloor too.

The Gordon's is unfortunately awful.
Tanqueray isn't terrible.
I tend to have Rose Lemonade if they have it, it's lovely!

And I have never pretended it's alcohol, why would you? That's just weird and unnecessary.

I love a non alcoholic drink! My favourites are:

• Plain old lemonade
• Lemon, lime and bitters (alcohol content is negligible
• Pineapple juice and lemonade (DP’s favourite!)
• Soda and lime
• Cranberry juice

Pint of lime and soda water. It’s cheap as chips too.

Water

I have no other choices.

The alcohol free drinks are all pretty rank and everything soft now has sweeteners in