Going Out with Friends? Here Are Some Non-Alcoholic Drinks You Can Order!
Going Out with Friends? Here Are Some Non-Alcoholic Drinks You Can Order!
Going out with friends is the highlight of many people’s week!
Getting out of the house, talking about the newest episodes of your favorite shows, playing some video games, dancing…who doesn’t love a night out in Chicago?
With that said, going out to bars, restaurants, and other establishments that serve alcohol can be difficult for those in sobriety. Everyone is drinking something, and not having a drink in your hand can feel awkward. This can lead some people to feel pressured to order a drink.
First off, you don’t need to have a drink in your hand! Real friends will leave you alone when you say you don’t want to drink. With that said, you still may feel out of place, and that’s understandable. Luckily, there is a solution…non-alcoholic drinks!
Not sure what to order? Below are some ideas for non-alcoholic drinks you can order with confidence next time you go out on the town with your buddies…
What to Order
There are a ton of non-alcoholic drinks to order. You can always stick to the basics, like soda, water, or energy drinks…but those aren’t as fun.
The ideas below can help add a little variety and mix things up when you want to grab some non-alcoholic drinks in Chicago. These drinks will really give you that “night out” feeling…
Shirley Temple
I personally love Shirley Temples. Since I was a kid, I enjoyed this special treat. As an adult man in his 30s, it’s still my go-to.
A Shirley Temple consists of Sprite (or another lemon-lime soda), maraschino cherries, and grenadine. This creates a sweet, flavorful mocktail that will provide you with that feeling that you are drinking something fun without the alcohol in it.
Fun fact: did you know grenadine is made from pomegranate and not cherry? A lot of people don’t. Tell your friends this fun fact and watch them Google it…
Seltzer and Lemon or Lime
Sometimes you just need something refreshing and you don’t want plain water. You may be sitting on a patio at a restaurant with your friends on a warm summer day and not want something as heavy as a soda. Seltzer with lemon or lime in a nice cocktail glass will give you the bubbles and hint of flavor you are looking for without anything unhealthy.
Soda, Cranberry, Lime
Soda and cranberry are a great mix on their own and can be a delicious treat to hit your sweet tooth on a night out. If you want to be extra adventurous, add some lime! This acid adds some complexity to the mix that reminds you that you are out having fun!
Roy Rogers
A Roy Rogers is a non-alcoholic drink that is essentially a Shirley Temple, but with cola instead. It’s kind of like a more complex cherry cola, which is great for you cola drinkers out there!
Tips for Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Here are a couple of quick tips:
· Ask for a non-alcoholic drink menu. A surprising number of places have them these days!
· Make sure you specify you want non-alcoholic if you aren’t ordering from an alcohol-free drink menu just in case.
· Stay away from “alcohol-free” beer and wine. First, the flavor may trigger you. Second, there are often trace amounts of alcohol in “alcohol-free” beers, which can add up after a few. You won’t get “drunk,” but it also isn’t good to get that “alcohol feel.”
Having Trouble Maintaining Sobriety?
While there are some great places to go and drinks to order when you want to have fun and enjoy some time with friends, if you find you can’t go out without drinking and need support, reach out to Front Door Health.
Front Door Health provides judgment-free in-home treatment for patients when they need it. We take an evidence-based approach to treatment, and we create custom treatment plans for our patients to increase their chances of success. Our treatment process is client-focused and individualized. This means no group sessions with strangers and no “treatment as usual” approach. You are unique and the treatment plan we create for you is designed to meet you where you are along your journey and help you to reach your recovery goals.
We understand that it can be difficult to put your life on hold and take time off work. Our in-home treatment allows you to continue to meet your work, school, family, and other obligations while receiving the treatment you deserve.
If you would like to learn more about in-home treatment, contact Front Door Health today. We’re happy to answer any questions and provide you with the help you need.
info@frontdoorhealthcenter.com
