Co-authored by Brandi Ganz and Albie Andrews

Two writers walk into a bar. Neither one is in recovery but both are sober, and they’re writing this article together.

There’s no denying that younger generations live intentionally. They wear their views and values on their sleeves and bring their philosophy to every aspect of their lives, whether it’s their jobs, their relationships, where they spend their money, and especially their health. It’s this reality, combined with an increasing and long overdue prioritization of mental health, that is causing so many Gen Z-ers to embrace the Sober Curious movement. Read on to learn more about this lifestyle shift, why it’s so appealing to younger Americans, and what a sober Halloween can look like for you.

What Does It Mean to Be Sober Curious?

Simply put, sober curiosity means reevaluating your relationship with alcohol, even if you aren’t necessarily ready to quit drinking. While it doesn’t always imply abstinence, a larger and larger population is interpreting it in the strictest of possible terms. Data from the University of Michigan indicates that alcohol abstinence is becoming increasingly common among Gen Z, with 28 percent of college students reporting in 2018 that they did not drink alcohol, compared to 20 percent of respondents in 2002.

Why Are Younger People Drinking Less?

Perhaps a better question is: “Why not?” The health and quality-of-life benefits of limited alcohol use alone are enough for many to go dry, or at least dryer. Other reasons include, but are, by no means limited to:

Dollars and Sips

In a time when everything is more expensive, and annual salaries don’t exactly reflect that, many 20-somethings can see themselves on Mars before they see themselves in their own homes. The idea of spending $50-$100 a night for a future hangover isn’t exactly the most appealing when…ya know… student loans and groceries.

Generational Trauma

As parental alcohol abuse continues to be a pervasive public health issue, it’s giving more and more younger people a look at what excessive drinking looks like. Many children of alcoholics are living intentionally and actively connecting their mental health to their upbringing…and we are here for it.

Thanks, Social Media

Let’s be honest; there was a time when you could get sloppy for a few nights in your early 20s, make some stupid mistakes, and still go on to a bright and limitless future. This is hardly the case in an age when smartphones document everything, and our worst images are often immortalized on the internet. While the world may say it’s more forgiving, it’s harder to shake our pasts when they’re often just one click away.

On the flip side of this, social media has also helped give birth to a culture of intentional sobriety that people can turn to when they don’t feel like they fit in with the drinking culture many of their peers are embracing.

Therapy Is A Thing

Less common are the days when you had “no choice” but to cope with the stress in your life with a stiff drink or five. The perception, engagement, vocabulary, and attitude around therapy and mental health have become much more open. People are going to therapy much earlier in life, which allows them to contextualize their mental health challenges more healthily.

A Matter of Taste

On a purely practical level, many younger people don’t like the taste of alcohol, and guess what…mocktails are fantastic! Not only do they taste like a drink should, but they’ve also helped to create a “sober bar” culture where people in recovery and sober-curious folks alike can socialize without the looming threat of impaired decision-making hanging over their heads.

Taste for yourself!

Our team concocted four non-alcoholic beverage offerings to delight the palate and save you the hangover. Be a sober-curious person for Halloween and try some of these creepy, kooky, mysteriously spooky Addams family-inspired mocktails!

Wednesday’s Woe

A dark, tangy mocktail with a hint of mystery—perfect for your sober curious celebration.

What you’ll need:

– 3/4 cup pomegranate juice
– 1/4 cup dark cherry juice
– Lime seltzer water, to top
– Ice cubes
– Frozen berries (for garnish)

Optional: A small piece of dry ice (for a spooky effect)

How to make it:

1. Combine the Juices: In a glass, pour the pomegranate juice and dark cherry juice. Stir gently to mix.

2. Add Ice: Add a few ice cubes to chill the drink.

3. Top with Seltzer: Pour lime seltzer water over the juice mixture until the glass is full, giving the drink a crisp finish.

4. Garnish: Add a handful of frozen berries on top for a chilling garnish.

5. For a Spooky Twist (Optional): Carefully add a small piece of dry ice to the drink for a foggy effect. Handle with caution, using tongs or gloves—never touch dry ice directly.

6. Wait to Sip: Allow the dry ice to fully dissolve before drinking, which typically takes about 5 minutes.

This mocktail is tangy with a balanced, refreshing finish that isn’t too sweet. Perfect for channeling a little bit of Wednesday Addams!

Uncle Fester’s Elixir

This vibrant, quirky mocktail combines earthy matcha with sweet lychee, giving you an elixir worthy of Uncle Fester himself!

What you’ll need:

– 1 tsp matcha powder
– 1 oz lychee syrup (from a can of lychees in syrup)
– 2 oz hot water
– Lime seltzer, to top
– Lychees and a few blueberries (for garnish)

Optional: A small piece of dry ice (for a spooky effect)

How to make it:

1. Prepare the Matcha Base: In a small bowl, combine 1 tsp of matcha powder with 2 oz of hot water. Stir briskly until the matcha is dissolved and frothy.

2. Mix the Elixir: In a glass, pour the matcha mixture and add 1 oz of lychee syrup. Stir well to blend the flavors.

3. Top with Seltzer: Pour lime seltzer over the mixture, filling the glass to the top. This will give the drink a light, fizzy finish.

4. Garnish: Add a few canned lychees and blueberries for a spooky garnish that will float atop the green elixir.

5. For a Magical Effect (Optional): Carefully add a small piece of dry ice to the drink for a foggy effect. Use caution and handle with tongs or gloves—never touch dry ice directly.

6. Wait to Sip: Allow the dry ice to fully dissolve, usually about 5 minutes, before drinking.

Uncle Fester’s Elixir is refreshing and unique, combining the earthy matcha with a subtle sweetness from the lychee and a hint of fizz. Perfect for a sober Halloween toast!

The Morticia

This elegant mocktail is as refined and striking as Morticia herself, garnished with roses she probably cut herself.

What you’ll need:
– 5 oz Martinelli’s Sparkling Blush Juice
– 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
– 3 dashes of rose water
– Edible rose petals, for garnish

How to make it:

1. Combine Ingredients: In a glass, pour 5 oz of Martinelli’s Sparkling Blush Juice and 0.5 oz of fresh lemon juice.

2. Add Rose Water: Add 3 dashes of rose water to the glass, giving it a subtle floral aroma and flavor.

3. Garnish: Top with a few edible rose petals for a sophisticated, Morticia-approved finish.

This mocktail is easy to make in a pinch and gives you all the elegance of an expensive cocktail without worrying about the effects of alcohol.

Thing’s Grip

A bold mocktail with a hint of spice—Thing would approve! This drink’s unique grip on flavor is perfect for a sober curious celebration. With its eye-catching orange twist and sharp ginger aroma, it’s as unforgettable as Thing himself!

What you’ll need

– 4 oz Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider
– 3/4 oz blood orange juice (from fresh blood orange)
– 3 dashes ginger bitters
– Orange twist and crystallized ginger, for garnish

How to make it:

1. Combine the Ingredients: In a glass, pour 4 oz of Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider and 3/4 oz of blood orange juice. Stir gently to mix.

2. Add the Bitters: Add three dashes of ginger bitters for a touch of warmth and spice.

3. Garnish: Garnish with an orange twist and a piece of crystallized ginger for an extra bite.

This mocktail has a crisp, tangy flavor with a slight ginger kick—making it the perfect fall mocktail to be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

And just look at this gorgeous collection of zero proof beverages!

It just goes to show that the beauty and allure of a cocktail isn’t in the alcohol content, but in thoughtful considerations of the flavor and presentation. Not only are mocktails a great choice when avoiding alcohol, but they can also be functional. Adding ginger, turmeric, or spearmint to your drinks can help with bloating, nausea, and digestion. It’s also typically more cost-effective. For example, our Morticia mocktail costs only $1.60/serving!

Whether you’re sober, sober curious, or just don’t feel like drinking this Halloween (or any day) these mocktails prove that the experience of an elevated beverage doesn’t end at the omission of alcohol.

Do you need help?

If you feel your drinking has gotten out of control and need someone to talk to, the team at Recovery Unplugged is available 24/7 for you. As we begin the holiday season, please do not hesitate to reach out if you are feeling isolated or overwhelmed.