ALCOHOL-FREE DRINKS
We believe having alcohol-free drinks on hand is essential for creating basic social inclusion for all.
One of the most common things we hear from rural event goers is that many adults aren't keen on sugary soft drinks or paying full ''all you can drink'' ticket prices for a can of Coke. Both drinkers and non-drinkers are asking for sophisticated adult drink options beyond grog or sugar.
Some suggestions for sugar-free and alcohol-free beverages on hand that you can grab at any supermarket include simple sparkling water or soda water mixed with fresh lemon or lime. This should be a mandatory basic, but more often than not, it isn't, so we encourage you to include these as an absolute bare minimum.
You can also include alcohol free beer, wine, and spirits. However, it's important to be mindful that imitation alcohol has been linked to relapse, and isn't safe for everyone - which is why we ask you to ensure something like sparkling water and lemon is on hand. (Read the “Caution” below to find out more.)
Some alcohol-free drink suggestions:
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.
Mount Franklin Sparkling
A super safe (sugar-free) bet for all your guests that is also affordable includes the Mount Franklin sparkling range, which is affordable, easy, and stocked at most rural supermarkets / IGAs, etc. Flavours include lemon, berry, and passionfruit.
Altina Drinks
Wine lovers might enjoy an alcohol-free ''Altina''. But 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.
Sobah Beverages
Warning: most options in this range of non-alcoholic beers replicate the look, taste and smell of alcohol and may be triggering. These drinks are not 100% alcohol-free, but contain less than 0.5% alcohol-by-volume.
Sobah's non-alcoholic craft beer range is made with the highest quality ingredients the same way that many craft beers are, only with a difference – almost zero alcohol! Being chemical free, preservative free and without additional processes to remove alcohol, Sobah retains a light, fresh and crisp taste.
Proudly Aboriginal owned and led, Sobah are the original alcohol-free pioneers: they were Australia's first non-alcoholic craft beer company. The company is run by Dr Schultz (a total legend!) and his wife Loz who are based on beautiful Kombumerri country, a part of the Yugambeh language regions, known as the Gold Coast, Queensland.
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