'Sober-curious' has been a bit of a buzzword of late, with more and more people jumping off the booze bandwagon in favour of total sobriety or a reduced intake - typically to improve their mental and physical well-being.
By Lana Andelane - Sept 16, 2022
Sobriety and the 'sober-curious' movement have gathered momentum in recent years, largely due to seismic shifts in lifestyle. Whereas chain-smoking and neat whiskeys during a nine-to-five à la Mad Men was once the norm, the last decade has seen greater awareness around health and wellbeing, encouraging more people to ditch the grog and greasy foods in favour of a healthy, balanced diet, little to no alcohol and regular exercise. Lockdowns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are also believed to have played a part, spurring people to use the sudden abundance of free time to kickstart healthy habits.
And according to a study published in The Lancet, alcohol consumption in New Zealand is lower than it's been in 30 years, with the millennial cohort - those in the 26 to 40 age bracket - largely responsible for paving the way to a firewater-free future.
In 2022, it's also never been easier for the 'sober-curious' or teetotal among us to enjoy a tasty tipple with friends without the FOMO - or a pounding headache the next morning. Brands such as Jacob's Creek, Seedlip, Lyre's and AF Drinks have carved out corners in the market for non-alcoholic beverages, spanning alcohol-free spirits, wines, beers, ciders and ready-to-drink options (RTDs). With non-alcoholic whiskeys, gins and even rosés now on offer, those braving the dry doldrums or testing the sober waters can still enjoy their favourite beverage - sans the booze.