Sober Summer and What I’m Learning

No alcohol for 101 Days; from the Friday before Memorial Day to Labor Day. In early May, I decided to give up alcohol and have a Sober Summer. There are a handful of reasons motivating this decision, none of which I’m going to get into here. What I do want to share is what I’m learning during this experience. This past weekend was my halfway point and I’m going strong. With more days behind me than ahead of me, I’m ready to report back on how’s it going.

5 Things I’ve Learned during Sober Summer

Homemade simple syrup + Club Soda goes a long way. My go-to move is to mix a batch of simple syrup, chill it, and then mix with club soda (start with 2 TBS per 8 oz Club Soda, adjusting to taste) and serve over ice. These “homemade sodas” are not only refreshing but they allow me to be creative by experimenting with flavors. Simple syrup is so easy to make (see more details in this honey simple syrup recipe). All you do is mix 1 part water with 1 part sugar (or honey) in a sauce pan and cook until just about boiling, stirring to dissolve the sugar. To make flavored simple syrup, mix in fruit and spices and then simmer for 20 minutes. Drain through a sieve and discard the solids. Store in an airtight jar in the fridge. Flavor ideas:
- Lemongrass
- Peach
- Blackberry
- Cranberry + cinnamon + orange + cardamom (really tasty in the winter)
- Blueberry + lemon + thyme
- Hibiscus + lemon + mint
- Pear + thyme
- Strawberry + basil
Non-Alcoholic Beers can be tasty. While it can be hard to find in a bar, there are a lot more non-alcoholic beers than I knew about. I’ve branched out from the Heineken 0.0, swinging by the N/A section of just about every beer store I can find. Athletic Brewing Company’s IPA and Hazy IPA are both solid and have been in most stores. Weihenstephaner has a non-alcoholic wheat beer that is my absolute favorite so far, though harder to find. And I’m still hunting for the Lagunitas N/IPA. Don’t write off N/A beers, many have surprised me. And with the sober trend growing, we’ll likely continue to see more.
At a good bar? Go with the bartender’s mocktail. I’ve been asking this question a lot: “do you have any mocktails?” The answers are mixed. And if a waiter or bartender hesitates, abort and get a club soda. I have a newfound respect for restaurants with more than one mocktail actually printed on their menu. Through much trial and error, my advice is to avoid n/a cocktails where the alcohol is the star of the show (like a margarita, old fashioned, mai tai). But if a bar tender is worth their salt, they will ask you what flavor profile you want (mint, ginger, fruity, etc.) and whip up a tasty mocktail. Most recently I enjoyed an amazing Strawberry Yuzu Mocktail at Double Knot Sushi Bar in Philadelphia. The best I’ve had overall? The Carry On at The Hampton Social in Nashville. In trying to recreate this one at home, I came up with the NA-shville, a blushing pink raspberry and pear mocktail.
I feel great! After Dry January, I suspected that some aches and pains I’ve been having would go away again. They have. I had hoped I would lose some weight, which I haven’t really (thank you, metabolism) but that’s ok. My mind is clear, I’m sleeping better, and overall I feel good.
Having a game plan - and knowing my “why” - is crucial. As I made this decision, I really focused on my “why” behind the choice. For someone who loves going out to eat and enjoys the taste of cocktails, this has been a big change. After hearing about the experience of others who have gone sober, I knew I was going to need a plan for coping with stress, social events, and weak moments. So I wrote a list in my notes app of tactics for staying strong. And there have been some hard days. Between centering on the why for this goal of going sober and using the strategies I brainstormed to keep me on the path to reaching the goal, I have been able to stay strong.

This was my last cocktail going into Sober Summer! A spicy margarita with a half chili rim from The Matador Rooftop Bar in Reno, NV. If you’re ever in Reno, this bar is a hidden treasure - check it out!

So am I going to stay sober? I’m not sure. I know that this is right for me, right now. So until Labor Day I’m staying on this path. And after? I’m listening to my body and taking things one day at a time.

Note: many of the drink recipes on this blog include directions in the notes on how to make them non-alcoholic mocktails: