Spring Into Summer With These Sophisticated Sober Sips
As the temperature rises, so does our alcohol intake. With Memorial Day and Pride around the corner, we have some brands that keep things flavorful and health-minded while socializing.
Sipping a cold beverage with friends goes hand in hand with warmer weather and longer days. We consume more alcohol with the season’s social opportunities (barbecues, long weekends, picnics, and festivals), and a “vacation mindset” of relaxation from late Spring into Summer. If you have the opportunity to bring your own drinks to gatherings and avoid alcohol, consider these brands, both of which are carefully crafted, low-sugar, low-calorie, and healthy!
FEATURED: Blind Tiger Spirit-Free Cocktails
Blind Tiger is a premium line of ready-to-drink, spirit-free classic cocktails crafted to deliver the depth, structure, nuance, and ritual of a true bartender-made cocktail—without the alcohol. Inspired by the classics of the Prohibition era, each varietal has the flavor of a freshly-mixed cocktail—and we love the Art Deco-inspired ‘speakeasy’ vibe of the can. Each can is a compact 8.4fl oz. (250ml), which is about two standard mixed drinks. Chill them well and pour over ice into a rocks glass. Our pick is the Grapefruit Fizz—a very refreshing and pretty take on the Paloma. The sparkling mint Mojito is also great on a warm day.
For bolder, richer flavors that pair well with nighttime, after-dinner activities, we like the Classic Manhattan, Bee’s Knees, and the French 75—all are worth serving in stemware such as the classic coupe. These are not sodas; they are made with just a handful of carefully-chosen natural ingredients and aromatics.
Blind Tiger has earned more than 50 top-tier beverage awards, including multiple Platinum honors and Best-in-Class finalist distinctions across the U.S. and internationally. That’s because the brand’s founder, Rebecca Styn, is a Ph.D. who has done her research into the psychology of hospitality and has crafted a drinking experience that puts the fun into premium cocktails without inebriation.
Under Rebecca’s leadership, Blind Tiger has expanded nationally to nearly 1600 retail locations and secured partnerships with leading hospitality brands, including Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages. The brand has been featured live on QVC (sellout), Forbes, The Washington Post, and NewsNation, and was named one of America’s Top 100 Small Businesses by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
And if you’re not sober yourself, keep a few cans of Blind Tiger in your fridge so you can be a good host/ess for your sober friends this Pride season—and beyond. Staying on the wagon does not have to be boring! To start, Blind Tiger Spirit-Free Cocktails come in this handy Variety Pack for you to sample or break out when needed.
Drink ZYN
Now, for day drinking that actually rehydrates you and boosts your immune system while you’re sipping, we tried and loved ZYN. This is a particularly good choice if you have been hitting the booze during your staycation or vacation and would like a day or two of recovery.
ZYN’s founders came up with the idea during a family trip to Pakistan, when, after the long plane ride to Islamabad, a relative suffered an attack of diabetic nerve pain in his foot—and it was only relieved after applying a paste of turmeric powder. Of course, the secret ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, and it’s at the heart of ZYN’s rejuvenating properties. Now, there are two main ZYN drinks to get on your radar: one in a can form and one in powder form.
If you’re headed to a picnic or party where everyone is reaching for a cold can of beer or hard seltzer that will destroy their gut flora, dehydrate them, and add to their waistline (sorry, but it’s true), be different! ZYN Turmeric Wellness drinks are the solution for those who want to go beyond hydration and enjoy the benefits of curcumin, including reduced inflammation, rapid recovery from workouts, improved gut health, and an immunity boost.
These low-calorie, non-carbonated, plant-based drinks offer 200mg of turmeric curcumin and piperine (black pepper extract for improved absorption). With no added sugar and only 10–15 calories, they provide 100% daily value of Vitamin C and Zinc. Made with clean ingredients such as purified water, organic apple juice concentrate, turmeric curcumin, piperine, natural flavors, vitamin C, zinc, and organic stevia leaf extract—they are not sodas or juices. Varieties include Lemon Ginger, Mango Lychee, Mango Pomegranate, Mixed Berry, Passion Fruit Lemonade, and Strawberry Yuzu. Just refrigerate before drinking, and shake to ensure the formula is properly mixed.
Travel Pick: Turmeric Electrolyte Drink Mix
Don’t feel like traveling with liquids? No problem! Pack an empty water bottle and some sachets of ZYN Electrolyte and Turmeric Drink Mix, and add to still or sparkling water when you can. This electrolyte blend offers all the benefits of ZYN Turmeric Wellness drinks and is available in a variety of delicious flavors: Mango Pomegranate, Strawberry Yuzu, Blackberry Dragon Fruit, and Passion Fruit Lemonade. Forget the empty calories of coolers and sweet teas, the chemicals of diet sodas, or the expense and inconvenience of electrolyte drinks. Sip on these delicious immune boosters, and give yourself a wellness boost while others are boozing. Each serving sachet contains up to 15 turmeric roots, 100% Daily Value of Vitamin C, D & Zinc for immune support, and is the right choice if you want to stay healthy while on the road or in the air.
