How do nonalc beverages play a role in your life?
I’ve been sober on and off the last six years, and the main reason I would cave was embarrassingly the social pressure at events. Now I’ll bring a case of nonalcoholic beers or a bottle when I go to friends houses for dinner etc. It has prevented me being asked why I’m not drinking and then having to explain a complex relationship with alcohol. I’m a little over a year sober now and having nonalcoholic options hasn’t just made the social aspect easier, it’s also made the act of crafting specialty drinks fun again. I love making a special drink while cooking, so the abundance of nonalcoholic options has brought life back into making mocktails for me.
What’s your favorite occasion to share a beverage with someone?
When my partner and I cook together we love having a special drink to sip on. He has made cooking so much more fun for me because he plays Sous chef like an absolute champ. So I like to treat him to a nice drink when we create fun new meals together.Can you tell us a bit about the photos you’ve captured and shared with us?
I am a ceramic sculptor so I have brought you through a day of sculpting. I took a trip to the new bar to grab a few drinks to enjoy in the studio. My favorite place to enjoy TNB drinks solo is when I’m working in my studio. It romanticizes my work time for me!
We’re thrilled to see nonalc inclusion in places like venues, restaurants, bars, etc. How do you feel when there is a thoughtful option on a menu?
It rarely happens so when it does I’m over the moon. I feel like every wedding / event I go to serves soda as the alternative option (which I also don’t drink) so it always limits me to water. So when I see a thoughtful NA option I genuinely get ecstatic.
As we celebrate Sober October, we’re excited to highlight the role nonalc plays in our community. How has The New Bar and the nonalc category impacted you?
Well, TNB has impacted me in a few ways. I have been lucky enough to partner with The New Bar on a set of ceramic coasters last year, and the feedback was incredible. It was such a fun project and collaboration for me. Not only am I a huge fan as a sober clover, but I have also worked with a large portion of their team first-hand and I couldn’t have dreamt up a better crew of women. They are all passionate, kind and driven on a level I’ve never seen. Supporting brands that are led by strong generous and thoughtful women is top tier for me.
It also makes me incredibly happy to see the nonalcoholic industry taking an uptick as of late. I have watched alcohol eat away at the mental health of so many of my friends. It does feel like when people get sober-curious it’s hard for them to not notice the massive shift in their energy and priorities. I really hope this continues and it becomes more normal to not need to have a drink on a first date or to break the ice at a social event.
I have also done a few pop-ups at The New Bar store and something special I noticed was the clear connection they have with their community. They had incredible people coming by that they seemed to know very well. I’ve worked in hospitality for a good chunk of my twenties and it always brings me joy to see staff that truly enjoy interacting with their clients. This is a really special place and I feel like the sky's the limit for what The New Bar will do.
