Sober October: Why Taking a Month Off Alcohol Could Be Easier Than You Think – October has always felt like a good month for a reset. The summer is behind us, the evenings are drawing in, and Christmas hasn’t quite arrived on the horizon yet. It is a chance to press pause, reassess a few habits and perhaps make some small changes before the busiest time of the year begins.
For many people, that means taking part in Sober October.
The concept is simple: give up alcohol for the month of October. It can be a personal challenge, something you do with friends or an opportunity to raise money for charity, but whatever your reason for taking part, it can be a surprisingly useful way to look at your relationship with alcohol.
And I think that is what makes Sober October interesting. It isn’t necessarily about saying that you will never drink again. It is about pressing pause and seeing what happens when alcohol isn’t part of your everyday routine.
What is Sober October?
Sober October has become an increasingly popular challenge, with people committing to an alcohol-free month for a variety of reasons.
For some, it is about wellbeing. For others, it is about saving money, breaking a habit or simply seeing whether they can do it.
There is also a fundraising element for many people, with Go Sober for October supporting Macmillan Cancer Support, giving participants the opportunity to turn their challenge into something that can help others too.
Whatever your motivation, taking a month away from alcohol can be an opportunity to notice the little things.
Do you automatically pour yourself a glass of wine while cooking?
Is Friday night always accompanied by a drink?
Do you associate catching up with friends with alcohol?
Sometimes it is only when we stop doing something that we realise how much of it has become routine.
But what do you drink instead?
This is where things have changed considerably.
If you’ve ever attempted an alcohol-free month in the past, you may remember feeling as though your options were limited to sparkling water, soft drinks and perhaps the occasional alcohol-free beer.
Today, there is a much more interesting world of sophisticated alcohol-free drinks.
One range that makes a particularly good fit for Sober October is Bel Nada, a Swiss-made range of 0% aperitifs designed to give you the flavour, ritual and experience of enjoying a proper drink — without the alcohol.
And I think the ritual is important.
There is something rather lovely about pouring a drink into a proper glass, adding ice, a garnish and perhaps a little fizz. It turns a drink into an occasion rather than simply something to quench your thirst.
Three Bel Nada drinks to try:
Le Botanique – your G&T alternative
If gin and tonic is your usual drink of choice, Le Botanique is probably the obvious place to start.
Inspired by alpine botanicals, it has juniper, Swiss pine, citrus and herbal notes, creating something that feels fresh and grown-up rather than simply sweet.
I’d serve it over plenty of ice with tonic, a slice of lemon and perhaps a sprig of rosemary.
It would make a lovely aperitif before dinner and would work particularly well with salty snacks, olives, smoked salmon or a simple cheese board.
And yes, I’d use your favourite gin glasses. Why not?
L’Aperitivo – for the spritz lovers
If your perfect summer drink is an Aperol-style spritz, L’Aperitivo could be the one to reach for.
It combines grapefruit with floral notes including rose, lavender and rosemary, giving it a refreshing, slightly bitter and aromatic character.
Serve over ice with sparkling water or tonic and a slice of grapefruit.
This would be lovely with Mediterranean-inspired food — think prawns, bruschetta, grilled vegetables, antipasti or a selection of lighter cheeses.
It is also the sort of drink you can happily serve when friends come round. Everyone gets something that feels like an aperitif, rather than the person who isn’t drinking being handed a glass of lemonade.
L’Épicé – something with a little more spice
For something warmer and more unusual, L’Épicé is the tropical and spicy option.
It is Bel Nada’s alcohol-free alternative to a rum-style drink, bringing together tropical flavours with spice.
I’d serve it with tonic and sparkling water, plenty of ice and fresh lime. You could also add a little ginger for extra warmth.
This is the one I’d reach for with spicy food — perhaps a Thai-inspired dinner, Mexican food or a curry.
Make your alcohol-free drink part of the occasion
One of the easiest ways to make Sober October feel less like a challenge is to stop thinking about what you are giving up.
Instead, think about what you are adding.
Buy some lovely ingredients for dinner. Put some music on. Get the good glasses out. Make an alcohol-free cocktail rather than simply opening a bottle of something soft.
If you’re having friends over, don’t make the person who isn’t drinking feel as though they have been given the boring option.
A beautifully presented Bel Nada drink can sit alongside the wine glasses and look every bit as inviting.
And you can get quite creative with food pairings too.
Le Botanique + cheese, olives and smoked salmon
L’Aperitivo + prawns, antipasti and Mediterranean dishes
L’Épicé + spicy food, tacos or curry
Suddenly, the drink becomes part of the meal rather than an afterthought.
Is Sober October worth doing?
Of course, everyone’s experience will be different, but I think there is something valuable about giving yourself 31 days to step away from an everyday habit.
You may find that you sleep better. You may have more energy in the mornings. You might save more money than you expected. You may discover that some occasions are just as enjoyable without alcohol.
Or you may discover that you genuinely enjoy a glass of wine with dinner and simply become more conscious of when and why you choose to drink.
And perhaps that is the point.
Sober October doesn’t have to be about declaring that alcohol is completely off the menu forever. It can simply be a month to stop, reset and pay attention to your habits.
Here’s to a different kind of October
There is no reason an alcohol-free month has to mean a month without fun.
Invite friends over. Cook something delicious. Try a new recipe. Experiment with alcohol-free cocktails. Find your favourite glass and actually use it.
And if you find yourself reaching for a Bel Nada aperitif at the end of the day, rather than your usual alcoholic drink, you may discover that what you were really looking for wasn’t necessarily the alcohol at all.
Sometimes, it was simply that little moment to stop, pour a drink and enjoy the evening.
And that’s a pretty good habit to keep.
Poppy Watt