Following a cross-country move, I temporarily moved in with my parents as my husband and I started house hunting. Moving in with your parents in your 30s with a toddler in tow isn’t the most ideal situation, but since we’re in the middle of a pandemic I actually have a handful of friends who have made similar moves for various reasons.
I love my parents and they are very helpful, but living under the same roof with no end in sight, I began to worry. I reached out to friends for some advice on how to make it through. There was a continuous one-word answer to my question: wine. And that sounded great and all, except I happened to be pregnant during this extended stay at my parents, so wine was off the table.
Source: @sopharush
Instead of a glass of red, I looked into non-alcoholic options and was pleasantly surprised to find quite a range of options. A non-alcoholic beverage won’t necessarily give you the calming peace of a good glass of cabernet, but it is still a nice way to unwind at the end of the day. Plus it’s a way to feel included while friends or family have an evening drink, or a great way to celebrate big and small occasions (here’s hoping I’ll be cheers-ing to moving out soon!).
For my pregnant friends out there, or whoever is looking to perhaps lighten up on alcohol, here are seven delicious non-alcoholic beverages to try, ranging from sparkling wines to beers to liquors.
Non-Alcoholic Aperitif
Ghia is a non-alcoholic aperitif that you can sip on its own or use to make mocktails. This one feels extra fancy, even if it is alcohol free.
Non-Alcoholic Rosé Wine
This non-alcoholic beverage is a refreshing rosé, minus the hangover.
Upside Dawn Golden Ale
If you love craft beer and miss it during pregnancy, this might be the right pick for a refreshing and light drink. Also available in other flavors.
Strawberry Vanilla Sparkling Tonic
While perhaps closer to a soda than an alcoholic beverage, Olipop drinks are such a treat, made with real fruit juices and containing just a small amount of sugar per can. Also available in other flavors.
Töst Singles Sparkling Wine
Töst beverage is all-natural with white tea, white cranberry, and ginger flavors; it's the perfect stand-in for a sparkling wine.
Ritual Gin Alternative
An alcohol-free gin is the ideal fit if you're craving a mojito during pregnancy.
Non-Alcoholic Raspberry Gose
A combination of slightly sweet and sour, this non-alcoholic beer is a super refreshing option during the hot days of pregnancy.
