Why You Should Drink Mocktails On Your Next Night Out
/Guest writer Ida Ohlsson shares her seven reasons to choose a non alcoholic cocktail for your holiday night out
Non-alcoholic drinks are becoming more popular with every passing year, and the options just keep getting better. From booze-free beer and wine to flavorsome and sophisticated “nocktails” (our preferred terms for non-alcoholic cocktails), these clean drinks are a great alternative to alcohol.
There are many reasons why more and more people are choosing not to consume alcoholic bevvies, whether its health concerns, religious or cultural motivation, recovering from an addiction or simply don’t enjoy drinking. The bottom line is, not wanting to drink is the only reason a person needs to abstain, be it for a night or a lifetime.
However, making the choice to reduce of remove alcohol can be challenging, especially as the holiday season rolls around with all its social gatherings and parties. While it may seem like a bigger challenge when festive feelings are at an all-time high, we believe the benefits of replacing the booze with alcohol-free alternatives far outweigh the downsides.
If you’re looking for inspiration for trying nocktails on your next night out, here are seven reasons to give them a try!
Say Goodbye To Hangovers
Imagine going out and having a good time with friends, only to wake up the next morning with clear memories, high energy, and a well-rested body and mind. When you choose nocktails over cocktails, holiday mornings can be just as wonderful as holiday nights out!
One of the biggest and most obvious benefits of drinking nocktails is the absence of hangovers. If you’ve ever experienced the aftermath of a booze-soaked night, you’ll know how painful and exhausting these can be, on a physical and emotional level.
Some of the most common hangover symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and depression—after all, alcohol is a depressant. When you remove alcohol from the equation, all you’re likely to suffer from is a bit of fatigue, and that’s only if you stay out late.
Stay Hydrated
Alcohol dehydrates your system quickly, and even a few drinks can make you look and feel dull and dry. Because it’s a diuretic, alcohol removes fluids from your blood via the renal system (kidneys, bladder, and uterus) much faster than other liquid substances do.
Unless you are drinking a lot of water alongside alcohol, it will likely cause dehydration. However, nocktails offer longer hydration throughout the night so you won’t feel dehydrated and drained.
Consume Fewer Calories
The holidays tend to come with an excess of calories in every form, and alcohol is one of the biggest culprits. In fact, the average serving of 94-proof alcohol has around 115 calories even before mixers get added.
If you’re looking for a healthy and effective way to lose weight, cutting out alcohol is a great place to start. Alcohol is not only super high in calories, but it also slows down your metabolism and enhances certain food cravings.
Nocktails are typically a combination of alcohol free spirits, infused waters and a wide variety of other refreshing ingredients. This makes them highly versatile and adaptable for individual diets, allowing you to hit your weight loss goals in a fun, delicious, and effective way.
Save Money
The holiday season isn’t always easy on the budget and generally speaking, cocktails are pricier than nocktails. This is due to the high cost of alcohol, and the expense of importing and exporting such an in-demand product. Therefore, by opting for nocktails instead of booze-filled cocktails you can save a significant amount of money over time.
Your bank account will certainly thank you and you’ll have more money left over to enjoy the festive season!
Make Smarter Decisions
We’ve all done silly things when we’re drunk, right? As much as we may hate to admit it, alcohol has a powerful effect on social behavior and decision-making. This is because alcohol enzymes impair information processing in the brain, inhibiting our ability to think rationally. It can also make us more aggressive, more sexually adventurous, and more likely to disclose personal information.
Many people struggle with the repercussions of poor decision-making while under the influence of alcoholic drinks. Zer alcohol nocktails, on the other hand won’t compromise your cognitive abilities in this way, so you can stay clear-headed while out and about.
Avoid The Dreaded Peer Pressure Trap
Often, with drinking and holiday parties comes an element of peer pressure, especially if you’re spending time with people you work with and it’s your only real time to relax and unwind after a busy year. The peer pressure to have another drink is often unintentional and not malicious in any way, but it can be uncomfortable and hard to handle.
Nocktails are a great way to avoid the peer pressure trap and still be part of the party. Any well-trained bartender can whip one up, and no one will know that the brightly coloured drink in your hand isn't alcoholic. In fact, many bars & restaurants now offer beautifully crafted alcohol free options as part of their regular drinks menu.
These non-alcoholic drinks come in a plethora of elevated options, allowing you to enjoy an array of sophisticated drinks that look and taste as good as traditional cocktails. You can imbibe pressure-free and stay clear-headed too.
Cherish Your Nights Out
When your body consumes too much alcohol, it negatively impacts the way your brain forms memories. This is why so many people experience “black outs” after drinking. The brain simply stops forming memories the way it does while sober.
This can make it difficult to remember and appreciate your nights out with friends. But when you swap out alcoholic cocktails for nocktails, there’s nothing stopping you from living in the moment and cherishing every memory you make.
Make Nocktails Your Drink Of Choice
We often credit alcohol with making us feel merry, sociable, and energized. But is it really the alcohol? After all, getting dressed up, celebrating with friends and family, eating great food and taking some time to rest and relax are all reason enough to celebrate, without needing add a toxic and health-compromising substance into the mix.
Next time you’re out on the town, reach for a nocktail and experience how much healthier, lighter, and more memorable partying can be.
Cheers to sober celebrations and hangover-free holidays!
About the Author
Freelance editor, gamer, cat mommy, and self-care advocate, Ida Ohlsson enjoys simple pleasantries in life like an afternoon stroll or sipping morning tea while reading her favorite book. She takes pleasure in reading and writing topics that promote wellness and a healthy lifestyle.