Alternatives to Alcohol

[EatsFartsAndLeaves]

I've never thought of my drinking as a problem, but have realised recently that it's sort of snuck up on me and I'm in the habit of drinking more than the recommended number of units - sometimes twice or three times - just about every night. So I think it's time I cut right down.

I've also recently given up smoking (3 months ago) and am still quite twitchy from that in some ways, e.g. constant snacking (see my other post) and I think that some of the drinking is down to that too, just wanting to have something on the go all the time instead of a cigarette.

So, I'm looking for suggestions of healthy things I could be drinking all night every night at home. I don't really need suggestions for going out as I'm still going to drink then and I don't go out very often, but any tips for cutting down at home would be good.

I'd like something that feels a bit special or like a treat, to make up for the "special treat-ness" of alcohol. Things I like so far are from-concentrate orange juice which I can drink loads of, and some herbal teas. Also I found a sparkling apple juice drink which I love.

Are there any cordials which aren't super sweet? I love sour things but the only cordials I've tried are just far to sweet to drink more than half a glass.

Is there anything else that tastes nice in tonic other than gin?

My mid week evening drink is mostly hot water (in a mug like tea). Sounds ridiculous but once you acquire the taste is really quite comforting and I always have a hot mug to put my hands round without all the caffeine or sugar I other hot drinks. It's become something of a habit to keep my mug filled but I figure it must be doing more good than some of my other habits.

Also, at the start of the week I make a batch of a veg soup and keep it in a jug in the fridge. Heat up a mugful when I might otherwise go for wine or chocolate.

Lime cordial? Low sugar cranberry juice is nice and tart. I like the cranberry and raspberry one. I am doing dry January and haven't missed the booze much. I am starting to realise I was necking wine or lager as a habit in the evening to quench my thirst. I like gulping down big pints of water too.

Tesco Finest Chocolate Tea: black tea infused with the taste of chocolate and vanilla.

We like non alcoholic beer

You can buy 100% cranberry juice in health food shops. It is so tart that it is utterly undrinkable neat. But when you mix it with other drinks it adds the most wonderful flavour (and colour!) without adding sweetness.

Licorice tea (either Teapigs or Pukka) is string-flavoured and has a very different mouth-feel to anything else. It is good hot or chilled. I often make a teapot with only one bag, drink one cup hot and leave the rest to brew overnight. The following day I have a lovely and unusual cold drink.

I'm not a tonic drinker, but I can imagine both if those would be good with tonic.

Hot berry cordial or peppermint tea does it for me :)

Non alcoholic beer here too. I really like Beck's blue, otherwise just tea or hot chocolate.

Belvoir Ginger Cordial with sparkling water - really warming

Or, mint leaves crushed in a glass, crushed ice, and soda water, stirred with a fancy stick - it has the ceremony of alcohol so feels really indulgent

Alcohol free beer. It's not a drink you'd knock back during the day, so feels a bit special in the evening.

Mmm, yes, Belvoir do nice cordials. Their ginger cordial and their elderflower cordial are both very good. Sweet, but so flavoursome that you can have them fairly dilute and still get a good hit of flavour without being overwhelmed by sweetness. Nice hot, or cold, or sparkling.

Thanks there are tonnes of really good things in there that I'd never have thought of, I feel spoilt for choice now! I'd forgotten you can have cordials hot, and I'd forgotten that alcohol free beer even existed!

I even think my friends might go for some of this stuff and do a bit of not drinking with me.

Going shopping tomorrow with a list copied off all these comments

Umm, licorice tea is not 'string-flavoured' [bloody autocorrect!] It is strong-flavoured.