This is something that I have been thinking about recently, since a lot of older adults can’t drink alcohol because of their medications. Which may not sound like a big deal, but a lot of people are social drinkers, so I thought I’d do a post on ways to socialize without alcohol and some alcohol-free alternatives.

An older woman in a bright pink shirt is hugging an older man in a light blue shirt. They are holding their hands in a heart position.

Adding Alternatives to Your Gatherings

As Americans, we often have alcohol present at lots of different gatherings. It’s not possible to cut alcohol out of all of them, especially if you aren’t the host. A more feasible (and fun) option is to add a non-alcoholic option like lemonade, or your favorite mocktail. We’ll get more into mocktails in a second. There are even non-alcoholic beers and wines on the market now. You should definitely talk to your doctor about what types of beverages would interfere with your medications.

Try Out Different Mocktails

Mocktails are way more popular now than they used to be, and you can even make a fun event out of it. There are lots of recipes online, and you can even do a mocktail making contest or at a barbeque challenge your guests to bring the best mocktail. This is also very inclusive of kids, as they love fun, kid-friendly drinks, too! Like I said, check with your doctor and pharmacist about what to avoid, as things like grapefruit juice can seriously impact your medications.

In conclusion, this does not have to be restrictive of your life. This can open a new journey for you and your friends and family. Have you had to cut out alcohol? Let us know down below!

Written by Brigid Stakelum