Page 49 - OK! Magazine - Australia (February 2020)
P. 49
The rise of the
SOBER PORTMAN
NATALIE
CURIOUS
Why opting out of Spirit Co, says he’s noticed a definite shift a ‘wedge drink’ when they go out –
in social attitudes towards drinking over alternating between an alcoholic and a
booze has suddenly the past few years. Here, Mark reveals non-alcoholic drink through the night.
why more people than ever are ditching
become bang on trend the drink… Any tips for going alcohol-free?
The best way to succeed is not to change
or many Australians, getting What are some of the main reasons your life just because you’re not having
their first hangover is a rite people are drinking less? alcohol in your drink. Plan a few nights
of passage. And as the years The obvious ones such as driving and when you don’t have to drink, and if you
roll by, it’s likely to be one pregnancy will always be relevant, but normally enjoy a G&T when you go out,
of many to come. Yet for all these days it could just be the pursuit you can just make it a Lyre’s non-alcoholic
F of the headaches, booze of a health or fitness objective, or taking G&T. Or start small by swapping out one
bloat, cringe-worthy recollections (not to part in something like Dry July. It could of the spirits in your drink to make a low
mention a serious burnout of cash), we even simply be just to avoid a hangover alcohol version. No-one will know unless
keep telling ourselves the all too familiar when there’s an important meeting the you tell them.
cycle is worth it in the name of fun. next day – we’ve all been there! It’s more
But that attitude is slowly changing. about being able to choose and have Do you think there’s less
Whether it’s taking a booze-free challenge, the freedom to stay social, but pressure to drink when
going fully teetotal or simply cutting back have your drink, your way. you go out?
to a smaller number of drinks a week, a There are still some
growing number of people are embracing Are most people going longstanding social norms
a more sober curious way of living. totally alcohol- that insist having a drink
While social pressure to drink can still free or simply in your hand is your only
be an issue, the rise of non-alcoholic reducing option, but it’s becoming less
beverages, support tools like the Daybreak their intake? of an issue as more and more
app and books such as Ruby Warrington’s Both. Some people people are making the choice
Sober Curious are reminding people they are cutting it out to reduce what they drink. COMPILED BY AMBER BRAMBLE
don’t have to do it alone. altogether or just
Mark Livings, CEO & co-founder of for a specific period. Lyre’s spirits are available now at
non-alcoholic spirits business Lyre’s People are even having Amazon and Dan Murphy’s online.
DID YOU KNOW? HOW AUSSIE DRINKING HABITS ARE CHANGING…
25% No. 1 66% 1in3
The number of Aussies who have
The percentage of Australians The main reason people are The percentage of drinkers moderated or abstained from
who have reduced their overall drinking less is because they’re aged 21-34 who are trying to drinking on specific occasions
consumption of alcohol. ‘opting for a healthier lifestyle’. reduce their overall intake. during the past three months.
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