SOBER OCTOBER
What is Sober October? The concept took form over ten years ago, “when the Australian youth health organization Life Education raised money with its ‘Ocsober’ fundraiser in 2010,” according to The Zero Proof online. Yet the name “Sober October” is credited to Macmillan Cancer Support, a UK- based cancer charity, and the movement is now a pre-holidays wellness trend observed by millions across the globe. Sober October is a challenge wherein observers renounce consumption of beer, wine, and spirits during the month. The reasons to give up alcohol are aplenty, but the motion of having a drink with someone, whether it’s alcoholic or not, is a deeply ingrained social act and an important component of the human experience. Thus, it can be difficult for people to consider quitting alcohol for an entire month. This is where “mocktails” come in! They’re a flavorful replacement for alcohol. Remember, giving up liquor doesn’t mean giving up drinking, per se. Alcohol-free beverages have become quite the sensation in recent years, and the ready-made mocktails and alcohol alternatives now available on store shelves make it easy to forget what’s missing. Whatever your preferred poison, here are some brands that offer baseline spirit substitutes for when you aren’t imbibing.
Tequila
Ritual Zero Proof
With 98 points, Ritual’s Tequila Alternative is the highest-rated spirit alternative in the world. Its peppery flavor is tempered by a hint of rock salt and a clean burn at the end. It gives drinkers the grassy flavor, smoky aroma, and bright fire that the spirit is known for. Just give it a shot (no pun intended)! This liqueur replacement is margarita-grade, so plan to mix it.
Gin
Monday
When you drink Monday, you’re drinking a cultural shift toward self-care. Their flagship Zero-Alcohol Gin is handcrafted in small batches at the brand’s Southern California craft distillery with natural ingredients. Juniper-forward with a bold nose, bitter lemon shines through, along with grapefruit and a hint of coriander at the finish, creating a complex, lingering heat.
Aperitif
Wilfred’s
Wilfred’s is reinventing the spritz. This alcohol-free aperitif is carefully crafted with a blend of distilled and extracted natural botanicals, including zesty bitter orange, aromatic rosemary, rhubarb, and clove. For a new-era spritz, mix it with your choice of bubbly, such as tonic or non-alcoholic sparkling white wine. It can be enjoyed year-round, and it tastes like pure sunshine.
Vodka
Strykk
The brand readily admits that vodka has fueled—literally, fueled—many a night out. But Strykk Not Vodka allows you to power through the party and still be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed the next morning since it’s 100% natural with no added sugars or artificial flavors. A combination of warming spices with cooling cucumber and menthol emulates vodka’s classic characteristics.
Rum
ISH
Okay, so it’s actually called RumISH because it tastes like rum, but it’s not really rum... Get it? Caramel, vanilla, and nutmeg flavors create the rich, warming notes that make this spirit familiar. The label uses a unique distillate utilizing chili seeds to provide the satisfying heat rum drinkers love. It’ll be tough to tell that those daiquiris and mojitos are the virgin versions!
Bourbon
Lyre’s
The impossible has been accomplished with the creation of Lyre’s American Classic Bourbon Malt. Crafted to capture the gentle essence of this patriotic favorite, its flavors are distinct yet contemporary. Notes of vanilla, toasted nuts, and herbs are offset by a mellow finish. A spiced palate lingers after every sip. Enjoy this bourbon substitute on the rocks or with your favorite mixer.
Editorial Director Lauren Barisic
Photographer Don Dizon
Don Dizon
Photographer
Don is a portrait and still-life photographer based on Fresno, California. He was a nursing major from Fresno City College, and while waiting to get in the nursing program, he continued to take photography classes. There he fell completely in love with photography. Capturing the right moment only takes one shot. But it is much more than that! You need to have the right lighting, angle, and expression to get the perfect photograph. Over the years, Don has mastered the art of capturing the moment.
