If you’re thinking about taking part in Sober October, look no further. Here at Sea Arch, we’re ready to help with all the tips and tipples you’ll need to help you through an alcohol-free month – and who knows, you might even enjoy it!
What is Sober October?
Similar to Dry January, the idea of Sober October is for people to give up alcohol for a month so they can sample a sober life and a healthier lifestyle, albeit for a relatively short time (although we appreciate that 31 days may not feel like a short time at this end of the month!)
At the beginning of this year, 6.5 million people in the UK took part in the biggest Dry January to date – up from 3.9 million people the previous year. It’ll be interesting to see if Sober October 2021 follows suit, as health, self-care and wellness continue to be prominent topics of conversation.
Here in the UK, those taking part in Sober October are encouraged to raise vital funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, helping them to provide much-needed physical, financial and emotional support to the millions of people in this country living with cancer. If you’re going to Go Sober for October, it’s a great idea to raise money for such a worthy cause at the same time – plus it’ll give you another good reason to stay on track. With Macmillan, you can even sign up for a 14- or 21-day Sober October if you really don’t think you can make the full month!
What are the benefits of going sober this October?
There are so many benefits to sober living, even if you only do it for a few weeks of the year – from health benefits and weight loss, to better quality sleep and a fuller wallet.
According to research from the charity Alcohol Change UK, 70% of people who do Dry January say they sleep better, 65% notice generally improved health, and 86% of participants say they save money.
And if you do end up reducing your alcohol consumption afterwards, even by just a little bit, that will bring advantages for both your physical health and mental health.
What’s more, waking up hangover-free on your days off means you’ll have more time and energy for the things you enjoy most in life.
What can I drink instead of booze during Sober October?
These days, the world is your oyster! There are so many non-alcoholic alternatives on the market, making it easy to find an alcohol free beer, non-alcoholic wine, or – moving into our area of specialism – an alcohol free spirit that suits your tastes.
For instance, if you enjoy the fresh flavours of a gin, our Sea Arch Coastal Juniper non-alcoholic distilled spirit is a great place to start. We have created a healthy and refreshing alternative to an alcoholic spirit, packed with fresh flavours and served with the same sense of occasion that you’d expect from an alcoholic drink.
Bursting with seaside botanicals and as uplifting as a walk on the beach, Sea Arch Coastal Juniper is made using hand-harvested sugar kelp and samphire, both of which are native to the South Devon coastline where we live. These and nine other botanicals are individually distilled, then skilfully blended to create a deliciously crisp, complex non-alcoholic spirit.
Perfect enjoyed as a refreshing Sea & T, served over ice with a squeeze of citrus and a premium tonic, or in a range of non-alcoholic cocktails, Sea Arch is not only non-alcoholic but also free from sugar, sweeteners and calories, yet still full of flavour. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans, it is ideal for anyone wanting to make healthier choices without compromising on taste or experience.
Out and about – be prepared!
Finding a trusty non-alcoholic drink or two that you can enjoy at home will be a huge help when it comes to successfully making it through Sober October, there’s no doubt about that. But what about when you’re out and about?
If you’re off to a friend’s house for dinner or drinks, it’s best to be prepared and take something with you that you know you’ll enjoy drinking. No-one wants to stand out as being the only person not drinking – that’s why we created Sea Arch Coastal Juniper in the first place, and why we always serve it in an elegant glass over ice, with a premium tonic and an attractive garnish.
If you enjoy a Sea Arch, you’ll be pleased to hear that we have ready-to-drink (RTD) versions too in 250ml cans, pre-mixed with tonic so you just need to chill them, then snap open and serve. The Sea & T RTD is a double measure of the Coastal Juniper spirit mixed with a light Indian tonic, and the Rose Sea & T RTD is a double measure of the Coastal Juniper spirit blended with a light raspberry and rose infused tonic. Easily portable thanks to their slim design, they’re low in calories but high in flavour, and ideal to take to parties and other ‘on the go’ occasions.
On the other hand, if you’re heading out to a restaurant or bar, you’ll be pleased to know that many now have a much better offering of no- and low-alcohol drinks than ever before. Do watch out for the sugar levels in the drinks though as some of these can be quite high. That said, if their No & Low range really needs some attention, feel free to point them in our direction!
Where can I find help and resources for Sober October?
There are lots of helpful resources and tools online to help you sail through Sober October. Here are a few of our favourites, to get you started:
- Macmillan Sober October Wellbeing Hub – health and fitness tips to make the most of your sober month.
- Macmillan Sober October Alcohol Calculator – see how much money and calories you could save by going booze-free this October.
- Club Soda – a global mindful drinking community, providing support for those looking to cut down or stop drinking.
- Alcohol Free Life podcast – tips, advice and motivation from BBC presenter and author of Happy Healthy Sober, Janey Lee Grace.
- Alcohol Review newsletter – global alcohol news, investigations, analysis and discussion in an innovative, open, fact-checked format (and supported by Sea Arch).
- Sea Arch non-alcoholic cocktail recipes – go on, spoil yourself!
