To be sober curious means you have chosen to drink less or not at all. It is flexible; an inclusive movement with no meetings and no rigid labels.

Words : Daisy Dobson Photographs : Silkie Lloyd

Shrubs and Syrups Guthealth Photoshoot Bristol-1-11.jpg

What is sober curiosity?

Sobriety has long been the answer to addiction and longer-term problems. The sober curious announce they’re interested in why they’re drinking alcohol. Asking; why am I expected to drink at this event? Why am I drinking right now? Why do I want to drink?

Sadly, the refusal of a glass at a party or gathering is typically met with - at best a raised eyebrow, at worst a barrage of questions. This umbrella term offers a friendly rebuttal to use when motives are questioned. More and more people are questioning their relationship to alcohol along with why society as a whole is constantly on the booze. A whopping 30% of young people in the UK do not drink alcohol and with older people catching up.

Why sober curious?

The benefits of ‘cutting back’ or quitting alcohol are vast and cover the physical and mental. Energy is greater, sleep comes quicker, concentration is easier to find and anxiety can lessen significantly.

Being sober curious

The market for a sober evening is growing - and fast - and alcohol-free alternatives don’t have to mean mushroom elixirs or cactus water. Big-name brands are cashing in on the sober-revolution and creating low ABV versions of their best sellers. The market of grown-up cocktails and sober elixirs is growing with booze free bars making an appearance on our high streets. The internet is awash with recipes to make your own from kombucha, shrubs and fruit syrups to drinking vinegars that are a lot nicer than they sound.

Ditch your gin and tonic for a blackberry and basil shrub or your glass of red for a lemon and ginger tonic - or do exactly as you pleased, you’re curious after all.

Images from a photoshoot with Stephanie Boote of Pasetti & Boote.