CHRISTMAS WITHOUT THE TIPPLE

KATIE CAMPBELL

There’s a societal pressure on many of us to drink at Christmas time, but there’s more to the season than alcoholic beverages!

Many of us with children leave a little whisky out for Santa every year, light a brandysoaked Christmas pudding on fire, and spend the month of December attending boozy work nights out or gatherings with friends and family. There’s a correlation between alcohol and the festive season, but for many people who don’t drink, the whole affair can feel a little bit challenging and overwhelming. Thankfully, the availability of non-alcoholic drinks, cocktails and beverages has improved over the years, offering those of us who don’t feel like drinking (or are set to enjoy a Dry January) a wider selection to choose from, even from the local supermarket!

NO-ALCOHOL PRODUCTS

Many supermarkets now carry nonalcoholic versions of “conventional” drinks and spirits that are very easy to come by, and are barely discernible from their alcoholic siblings. No-alcohol products are ones that contain up to 0.05% ABV (alcohol by volume; for reference, a standard bottle of Budweiser is 4.5% ABV), and low-alcohol drinks contain up to 1.2% ABV. Lots of well-known brands offer alcohol-free versions of their most famous drinks: Gordons offer an alcohol-free gin for the G&T lover in your life, Kopparberg produce alcohol-free versions of several of their most well-loved flavours (get the strawberry and lime one, it tastes like Petit Filous yoghurts), and there are a dizzying selection of wines, beers, sparkling wines and spirits available to the discerning buyer in supermarkets across the country. Mocktails are also a lovely option if you have the pleasure of going somewhere with a well-stocked bar, and even if you don’t, ordering something as simple as a grenadine and Diet Coke - which tastes like Cherry Cola and is often called a Roy Rogers - feels like getting something that’s a little fancy.

FANCY SODAS

Everyone likes a wee glass of Diet Coke every now and then (other carbonated beverages are available) but sometimes, you just fancy a drink that’s a little bit special. There are some brilliant independent brands across the UK who are producing gorgeous drinks that feel like a treat, but are alcohol free. We’re not just talking the traditional dandelion and burdock or ginger beer, incidentally, although who doesn’t like a ginger beer now and then? Square Root Soda are a UK based company who make fantastic, fizzy, fruity beverages out of East London, and offer a little discount on their website when you create your very own pick-nmix selection from their wide array of fancy flavours. Rapscallion Soda are based in Glasgow, and make beautiful, flavourful sodas using a huge array of local flavours and ingredients. Their Christmas variety bundle includes a cranachan flavoured drink, based on the traditional Scottish dessert featuring raspberries and oats. For something a little more continental, you can’t go wrong with grabbing a couple of bottles of Fritz-Kola (unless you’re sensitive to caffeine, in which case, maybe just be careful). This German company makes the most fantastic colas, which are made with less sugar than Coke or Pepsi, and offer a wide assortment of other tasty beverages, including orangeades and the weirdly delicious Mischmasche, which contains cola, orange and lemonade.

SEASONAL HOT DRINKS

Oh, the joy of a fancy hot chocolate at Christmastime, with a little scoosh of whipped cream and some toasted marshmallows. They feel so incredibly decadent, and are such a treat on a chilly morning. There are lots of cafes offering fancy seasonal drinks, so do check in with your local independent cafe if you can pop in for a visit, but chains like Costa, Starbucks, and Tim Hortons are offering some delightfully decadent drinks this year, and the king of the Christmas beverage, the gingerbread latte is back on the menu in many cafes. Many of these cafes are also on Deliveroo, Uber Eats, or Just Eat, so you can avoid the crowds and order a nice drink in if you feel like a little festive beverage!