After an over-indulgent night out, some may wake with prickling curiosity. Curious how much the bar tab was. Curious about the random outgoing texts and calls from their phone. Curious what time they went to bed, what time it is now, how much of the day will be wasted in bed trying to answer these questions with a headache. This mental investigation can prove exhausting, which has led many down a different, clearer path of exploration: sober curiosity.
“Sober curious” ideology refers to folks who do not necessarily have issues with alcohol but choose to abstain for personal or health reasons. Continued pandemic unease has led many to reevaluate the importance of their overall wellness- under that scrutiny, alcohol tends to present a red flag. While an excess of alcohol can cause issues concerning physical wellbeing and personal safety, the mental health of many can also struggle to keep up. The effort to bolster overall mood and foster positive cognition has made limiting or excluding spirits more popular and acceptable. The overall attitude toward alcohol consumption, or lack thereof, has been shifting positively since the emergence of “Dry January,” a fad intended to strengthen New Year’s resolutions, and has shot well past a monthly trend and into a lifestyle movement.
Alcohol has long and often been used as a tool to enhance social activities- a summer barbeque or celebratory evening out tends to lack an element of routine when drinking is excluded. This has long been a challenge for expecting mothers, but many often find that the presence of any drink tends to fill that absence. A highball glass with club soda and fresh lime keeps you included in the festivities and doesn’t draw attention to the lack of alcohol, just like a champagne flute filled with ginger ale and fresh raspberries serves as a sophisticated stand in and doesn’t exclude you from the merriment of toasts or cheers. The non-alcoholic drink in hand serves as a social and mental placeholder and can bolster a sense of inclusion during gatherings with drinkers.
Mocktails are a tasty substitute, but when seeking the sharper bite of spirits, juices and soda can be lacking and sugary- the emergence of non-alcoholic “spirits” has satisfied that want. If more complexity and less sweetness is desired, check out For Bitter For Worse, which layers robust flavors into spirit-free libations. Seedlip specializes in botanical-based spirits and boasts a “sophisticated, adult option” for nondrinkers with their plant and herb based infusions. For wine drinkers, Sovi makes an alcohol-removed sparkling rosé that’s lovely for summer and uses all organic ingredients from their farm in California.
Going to a bar with friends can be awkward for nondrinkers, but many Bergen County establishments are striving to ease that discomfort by offering extensive and delicious options for the sober curious. White Maple Cafe in Ridgewood offers a Summer Horchata with sweet chilled almond and rice milk, vanilla and cinnamon as well as a Baby Bellini with peach puree and sparkling cider. In Hackensack, Rose Mexicano is ready for summer with their Blood Orange Spritzer with pomegranate-hibiscus syrup and a Guava-Colada with Mexican cinnamon-infused agave nectar and coconut milk. If you’re more in the mood for a breakfast spread, try Willow and Whisk in Wyckoff and order the Zing Zang Bloody Mary with fresh horseradish and cracked black pepper.
The consideration of a life without booze need not be a departure from excitement, adventure, decadence or inclusion. Whether you’ve chosen to abstain from alcohol indefinitely or are merely looking for a break from imbibing, sober curiosity offers a thoughtful, convivial and creative solution. Enhance your experience by utilizing fresh, in-season ingredients, experiment with interesting spirit replacements, and enjoy your summer, free of hangovers and full of fun.