What to drink?

[Clacyharnet]

I stopped drinking before Christmas. I never used to drink every night, but I can never have just one drink, every time I drink I end up plastered and I can only see stopping entirely as the answer. I am happy with my decision, but I don’t know what to drink instead.

i don’t like sparkling drinks, or things like orange juice which I find too sweet and overpowering-particularly with food. Before I would only drink wine, water, tea or coffee. But now cutting out wine I am left with only water- which feels a bit utilitarian particularly when going to a bar.

what do you all have as your go to drinks when you are trying to stay sober?

Probably won't be helpful if you don't like sparkling drinks, but I love Fevertree tonics.

My current favourite is their spiced orange ginger ale..it's lush!

What about an alcohol free spirit mixed with e.g apple juice. I really like feragaia and Everleaf forest.
In a bar I have fresh juice mixed with soda which cuts down the sweetness - I don't see why you couldn't use normal water

Recently tried (and really liked) Tanqueray 0.0% "gin". With slimline tonic

Don't like overly sweet drinks or juices, this felt like a proper grown up drink

I drink soda with lime.

Lime soda is good, though fizzy.
Eighties classic 50/50 Perrier and Orange juice is less fizzy and delicious.
Many bars have a decent selection of alcohol free beers nowadays.

Bitter lemon - lots of ice cuts the fizz out of any fizzy drink.

lots of bars will sell you coffee etc even if it’s not officially on the menu - they keep it in for the staff.

you can ask for squash such as blackcurrant or orange with tap water (or mineral water) so it’s not fizzy, they have it behind the bar as a mixer.

if you prefer bottled non-sparkling water ask for it in any sort of glass you fancy - this goes for any drinks - (nice big gin glass or large wine glass? ) with some slices of lime or lemon.

At home I have tonic and alcohol free gin. When out I love lime and soda.

Just realised that's not helpful for someone who doesn't like sparking drinks...

Alcoho -free beers all the way. I used to drink like you and these make me feel ‘rewarded’ at the end of the day.

Tonic water for me, with ice and lemon/berries etc.

If you aren’t keen on flavours, how about sparkling water? Where are you drinking? Pubs, restaurants, home?

I'm boring and drink squash and whatever posh cordials I find!
Orange juice is too sweet for me but I love it diluted with ice and cold water, about 50/50

Pukka herbal tea. Have finally acquired the taste and enjoy trying different ones. Low calorie and hydrating as well.

I don’t like most sparkling drinks but do like lime and soda and happily drink that in pubs. And a lot of pubs, if not stupidly busy, will do a tea or coffee.

At home herbal teas or posh cordial….tend not to taste as sweet. So rhubarb and ginger or lime and mint.

Agree the alcohol free beers that I have tried have been great. I've heard there isn't such a things as a decent AF wine tho.

Tonic water with a slice of lime is my go to. I don't like really sweet things. Our local has half decent alcohol free beers too, quite a variety, but the alcohol free wine is not for me. Dsd doesn't drink for medical reasons and often I'm driving, I do drink but can take it or leave it these days

I drink tonic water when I am not drinking or alcohol free beers

There's an amazing drink by Copelka which is apple and elderflower which is amazing chilled or with some ice in, good substitute for a glass of wine, also Becks Blue af free lager is pretty good too.

It’s probably too sweet but I’m now obsessed with drinking Vimto :) Lime and lemonade or soda is great when out!

Soda, ginger ale with twist lime. It's stimulating in a zingy way and more exciting than water, if going out.

I’m not a fan of fizzy things either. I stopped drinking alcohol about 9 months ago. (I had trouble finding the off switch too.)
I drink herbal teas (pukka usually,) water and in the summer iced water with a splash of rose water (can buy a decent sized bottle from Sainsburys.)
I have loads of food sensitivities and a few allergies so am very limited to what I can eat and drink. The fake booze drinks make me ill. I don’t replace alcoholic drinks with alternatives anymore. It just made me feel like I was missing out. I’m not. Life without alcohol is much better for me.
If I’m thirsty I drink water or if I fancy a cuppa I’ll have one!

Sipsmiths alcohol free gin is lovely. Look at some reviews of alcohol free wines as there are some nice ones - try Oddbird and Eisberg. Although not sure how many pubs would have them!

Also, look at the Dry Drinker website, lots of inspiration!

Cold brewed green tea (or other teas eg. jasmine, oolong or whatever you like)

Put a tea bag in cold water and put in the fridge for an hour or 2. You can also make a big pitcher and it lasts a few days.

Not sweet or fizzy, and feels grown up!

Thanks guys some good ideas here. I’m drinking quite a bit of spicy tomato juice at the moment, seems to be doing the trick.
tomato juice and herbal tea!!!