ALCOHOL-FREE DRINKS

Having a truly thoughtful range of drinks on hand, including 'AF' (alcohol-free) options at bush gatherings & events is a really important way to include all our mates and to ensure everybody, drinkers or non-drinkers, knows it's #OK2SAYNO.

One of the most common things we hear from rural event-goers is that grown adults aren't overly keen on sugary soft drinks or on paying full "all-you-can-drink" ticket prices for a can of Coke or a glass of water. Drinkers and non-drinkers alike are asking for sophisticated adult drink options beyond grog or sugar, and hosts who listen to this are making great profits while including everyone. What a win-win.

Below are a few suggestions for sugar-free and alcohol-free options you can grab at any supermarket or online. Or you can just keep it as simple as mineral or soda water and add your own zest, sprigs, lemon, lime, etc.

We aren't prohibitionists, so we simply suggest that, in addition to your normal beer, wine, and spirit options, you also include alcohol-free beer, wine, and spirits. But please be super aware that imitation alcohol has been linked to relapse, and isn't safe for everyone, especially for our mates in recovery from addiction, which is exactly why we ask you to take care, be thoughtful, and fly the #OK2SAYNO flag, always.

CAUTION!

Please take care when choosing to drink alcohol-free beers, wines, spirits and mocktails: for some people these drinks can be triggering because they may perfectly replicate the taste, look and smell of alcohol. 

Drinks marketed as “Zero Alcohol” (and even some kinds of ginger beer and lemon lime and bitters “soft” drinks) can also have a small percentage of alcohol in them. And you wont find this information or warnings anywhere on these products! Kombucha drinks also contain alcohol (often significant amounts).

CAUTION!

Please take care when choosing to drink alcohol-free beers, wines, spirits and mocktails: for some people these drinks can be triggering because they may perfectly replicate the taste, look and smell of alcohol. 

Drinks marketed as 'Zero Alcohol' (and even some kinds of ginger beer and lemon lime and bitters "soft" drinks) can also have a small percentage of alcohol in them. And you wont find this information or warnings anywhere on these products! Kombucha drinks also contain alcohol (often significant amounts).

Some suggestions:

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ETCH Sparkling

These are some of our favourite sparkling, alcohol-free, sugar-free adult drinks that don't try to imitate the taste or smell of alcohol. They also have truly Aussie bush flavours like Finger Lime, Lemon Myrtle, and Rosemary or Bush Apple and Kakadu plum.  Note - these are online, so ensure you have plenty of time to order before your event.

Jase and Andy (the husband-and-wife team behind ETCH Sparkling) are fully aligned with Sober in the Country's mission, and they also share our goals to maximise social inclusion and effect social change.

We love that their drinks do not replicate the taste or smell of alcohol in any way. Their drinks are simply a delicious option that is low in sugar and safe for everyone.

HEAD TO ETCH SPARKLING
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Mount Franklin Sparkling

A super safe (sugar-free) bet for all your guests that is also affordable includes the Mount Franklin sparkling range, which are often on sale and stocked at most rural supermarkets / IGAs, etc. Flavours include lemon, berry, and passionfruit.

Remember that both drinkers and non-drinkers alike are seeking and expecting these options now, and, that adults are increasingly steering clear of sugar-laden soft drinks or orange juices.
HEAD TO MOUNT FRANKLIN SPARKLING
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Altina Drinks

Wine lovers might enjoy an alcohol-free ''Altina''. But, again,  please be aware that non-alcoholic wines replicate the look of alcohol, and you may find the taste and smell to be similar to alcohol, too. They can therefore be triggering for people in recovery. These drinks are not 100% alcohol-free, but contain less than 0.02% alcohol-by-volume.

These non-alcoholic “wines”, are made from de-alcoholised wine mixed with botanicals to create nuanced, complex flavours. 

Altina (named after the co-founders Alan and Christina) has the brand principles: nature, science and exceptional design. Alan and Christina have used their combined science smarts to blend ideas and ingredients with mastery to create unexpected, intriguing and satisfying drinking experiences in both still and sparkling forms.

HEAD TO ALTINA DRINKS
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The Mindful Mocktail

We get a lot of people asking for "alternative suggestions" and/or recipe ideas related to drinks, so we recommend you visit Nat from "The Mindful Mocktail" on her website for some ideas and inspiration.

Nat is a non-drinker who started sharing drink recipes and options when she quit alcohol, but still wanted something delicious and nourishing to sip. These can be a fantastic way to include those opting for less or no booze at your bush events.
HEAD TO THE MINDFUL MOCKTAIL

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