Whether you call it responsible consumption or mindful drinking, our attitude towards alcohol is evolving. Twenty percent of Canadian adults don’t drink alcohol and that number is on the rise.

Non-alcoholic cocktails are everywhere, sober bars are popping up, and sober social networks are forming. Suddenly not drinking has become cool.

However, this shift isn’t about being cool. It’s about considering why, when, and how we drink. It’s based on the idea that asking questions about alcohol and consuming less can improve your health, relationships, and more!

Three Reasons We’re Skipping Alcohol

1. Youthfully Glowing Skin

Alcohol is a diuretic which means it increases the production of urine, leading to dehydration. Without proper hydration we may feel out of sorts, and our skin can become dehydrated and lose its youthful elasticity.

As if that’s not annoying enough, alcohol can cause tissue inflammation. That’s why some experience a red flush in their face after a glass of red wine. While the effect dissipates once the alcohol is metabolised, over time constant inflammation can cause long-term skin and health issues.

2. Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Alcoholic drinks are considered empty calories because they provide your body with calories but contain very little nutrient value. For example, there are almost 155 calories in one small can of beer, and 125 calories in a small glass of wine, so several drinks can lead to an extra few hundred calories.

By comparison, non-alcoholic beverages contain a fraction of the calories even when mixed with tonics or sodas.

3. Getting a Better Night’s Sleep

Anyone who drinks alcohol knows that beer, wine, and spirits can leave you feeling drowsy. In fact, as many as twenty percent of people use alcohol to help them fall asleep. While alcohol can help you fall asleep faster, it contributes to poor quality sleep. It has been shown to reduce the amount of REM sleep, the stage that is widely considered to be beneficial for learning, memory, and mood.

Our Favourite Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Recipe

Skipping alcohol doesn’t mean that it’s just soda water for the rest of your life. There’s a wealth of non-alcoholic beverages that deliver on taste and experience so you can still enjoy pouring a cocktail at the end of the day.

FLUÈRE Basil Smash

Ingredients

• 3oz Fluère Botanical Blend
• 1oz fresh lemon juice
• 0.5oz simple syrup
• A large handful of fresh basil
• 2 edible flowers

Instructions 

• Add lemon juice and simple syrup to shaker
• On top, add the large handful of fresh basil and muddle for 30 seconds
• Now add ice to shaker
• Pour Fluère Botanical Blend over top
• Shake vigorously for 20 seconds
• Double strain into your glass
• Garnish with fresh basil leaves and edible flowers.

What’s your favourite non-alcoholic cocktail? Tell us in the comments below!

Resources

• https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2019-09/CCSA-Canadian-Drug-Summary-Alcohol-2019-en.pdf
• https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/amh/if-amh-alcohol-and-sleep.pdf