Alcohol Alternatives on Amazon!
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If you are looking to cut back on drinking and have a Prime account, you’re in luck! As it turns out, Amazon carries a lot of great alcohol-free drinks!
We all know that there are a lot of benefits, emotional, mental, and physical, to avoiding alcohol. But sometimes that is a challenge because so much of our fun activities involve booze. Co-worker celebrating a birthday? Drinks. Friend got engaged? Drinks. Got laid off? Bottle of wine.
Fortunately, these days alcohol alternatives are way better than Shirley Temples and O’Douls. As it turns out, a lot more people are interested in mocktails (look at the increase in alcohol free drinks menus everywhere). And as a result, the products are better, both in terms of quality and quantity.
These non-alcoholic options mean you can still be social and enjoy being out without pounding on your liver and anxiety.
I have been open about my love of nanobar.
It is an online store with an extensive selection of no alcohol alternatives. Now, nanobar offers a shipping option that is similar to Amazon Prime that I highly recommend, but if you want to dip your toe into the alcohol alternatives water, using your Amazon Prime account is a great way to get started!
I just realized (while building my Amazon storefront – check it out, because there are lots of cute and fun things to support your healthy and alcohol-free lifestyle) I saw that they carried a lot of my favorites! Here I want to highlight some of them and encourage you to give them a try!
If you are looking to make not drinking not awkward, bringing a bottle of non-alcoholic wine to a party is a great option. (The packaging looks like real wine, by the way.) And these actually taste good, so you won’t even miss the alcohol!
In fact, with this rum alternative specifically, there has to be a huge placebo effect, but I feel drunk after drinking it.
Gruvi Non-Alcoholic Bubbling Rose ($33.29 for a pack of 8):
This is my favorite wine. This sparkling rose actually tastes like the real stuff. And it won’t pack on the pounds like its counterpart because it packs a one-two punch of not clogging your liver and only having 60 calories!
Surely Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Rose ($24.99 for 4 cans):
And if you’d prefer this in cans (way easier in the summer for picnics or going on a boat), Surely makes a great sparkling rose too! 15 calories and 1 gram of sugar per can,
Surely Non-Alcoholic Sauvignon Blanc ($24.14):
A solid sauvignon blanc, which is my favorite! The brand also has red if you prefer though (like these bubbly pinot noir and cabernet options)!
Ghia Non-Alcoholic Le Spritz Combo ($24 for 4 cans):
This is a great way to try all the flavors - the original apertif, ginger, lime & salt, and sumac & chili. There are some really complex flavor combinations that really make you forget there’s no alcohol. They trick your mind into thinking you’re having a real cocktail.
And when you don’t feel deprived, you’re less likely to want to reach for alcohol.
Seedlip Grove 42 ($28.79 for about 24 oz):
Flavors of Bitter Orange, Blood, Orange, Lemongrass, Lemon, Mandarin, Ginger. Mix this with something with a little fat and/or sugar to really bring out the flavors.
This is the non-alcoholic alternative that got me into this world. My brother sent me a gift certificate when I was recovering from a liver virus that nearly killed me. Obviously liquor was out of the question at that point, so he wanted to me to still feel a dose of normalcy while I was at rock bottom.
I was shocked that this wasn’t alcoholic - it tasted like a craft cocktail!
Allow me to go on a tangent for a moment.
Crafting the perfect mocktail is a blend of art and science. That means recipes play a pivotal role, with flavors and a sense of indulgence as ultimately important. In a world where alcohol doesn't mask flavors, these alcohol-free libations offer a unique canvas for flavor exploration, making them a good choice for both abstainers and enthusiasts alike.
1. Focus on Good Recipes.
Unlike cocktails where alcohol can mask or alter flavors, mocktails rely solely on the integrity of their ingredients. This underscores the significance of precise recipes that balance flavors, textures, and aromas. A well-constructed mocktail recipe takes into account the natural sweetness, acidity, bitterness, and even umami of ingredients, creating a harmonious symphony on the taste buds. Each component should enhance the overall experience, providing layers of complexity that captivate the senses without the assistance of alcohol. The right combination of juices, herbs, spices, and other enhancers can lead to a mocktail that stands on its own as a delightful sensory adventure.
2. Satisfying Cravings & Feeling Indulgent.
One of the key objectives in mocktail creation is to provide a sense of indulgence and satisfaction akin to that of a well-crafted cocktail. The best mocktails mimic the complexity and depth of flavor found in their alcoholic counterparts, giving those who opt to abstain from alcohol a similar experience without compromise. Rich textures, vibrant colors, and the interplay of sweet, sour, bitter, and aromatic notes all contribute to this indulgent appeal. For example, a virgin mojito might offer the zingy freshness of lime and mint, while a berry-infused mocktail can provide the lusciousness of ripe fruits. By embracing the joy of flavors, mocktails ensure that cravings are not only met but exceeded.
3. Reducing the Desire for Alcohol.
One unexpected benefit of well-crafted mocktails is their potential to reduce the desire for alcoholic beverages. Often, the allure of cocktails is rooted in the social experience, the visual appeal, and the sense of relaxation they offer. A thoughtfully designed mocktail can replicate these aspects, leading individuals to opt for non-alcoholic options without feeling left out. When offered a beautiful and enticing mocktail, the appeal of alcohol can diminish as people realize that they can enjoy the same aesthetic and sensory pleasures without the accompanying inebriation. In this way, mocktails can contribute to a healthier relationship with alcohol and a more inclusive drinking culture.
So in summary, a good mocktail helps you wind down, enjoy your evening, and scratch an itch without needing to get hammered.
If you, like me, are a little overwhelmed as to what to combine with what, here are two great options for mocktail books!
Seedlip Cocktails: 100 Delicious Nonalcoholic Recipes from Seedlip and the World’s Best Bars ($23):
Recess Mood Magnesium Calming Beverage ($37.78 for 12 cans):
Finally, we need to have an adaptogen option! Recess includes magnesium and adaptogens to naturally reduce stress without the destructive effects of alcohol…all for under 20 calories!
This option allows you to try all 4 flavors and pick a favorite (or 4).
I hope seeing all these options makes you willing to try the next generation of alcohol alternatives! Your liver, your mood, your skin…well every part of your body will thank you!