This article appears as part of the Food Matters newsletter.
After a week off away from the Herald office, it’s very good to be back.
There are no prizes for guessing how the holiday was spent with eating and drinking, as ever, dominating any plans.
First, there was a trip to London to attend the launch of the new A Tale of Tokyo single malt from Glenmorangie, a limited edition release which has been matured in rare Japanese Mizunara casks.
Later, and slightly worse for wear after a night of whisky cocktails, my very first visit to the surprisingly sunny city of Dundee with a friend who had promised to show me around the dive bars and student haunts of her university years.
Despite best intentions, any debaucherous plans were soon abandoned.
It’s been close to a decade since either of us last stretched out the dregs of our student loan payments to cover 99p vodkas or secure entry to an ill-advised club night, and age comes at you fast.
In the hour and a half it took our train to speed its way from Glasgow Queen Street, our itinerary had shifted from hitting the tiles to splitting a bottle of wine with dinner and an early night in front of the gooiest '00s rom-com that Freeview had to offer.
Oh, how times have changed.
These days a more relaxed approach to drinking is something that appeals to our social circle far more than the nights of quantity over quality in a shift that I assume comes to most over time.
At the risk of sounding terribly dull, the reality is that it’s no longer worth it to sacrifice a day of clear-headed activity for one spent in bed with McDonald’s on speed dial while cursing your past self for ordering a second round of shots.
So why, I wonder, is there still a social stigma surrounding the choice to go completely alcohol-free?
With Sober October well underway, many will have pledged to sidestep their usual orders at the bar for the coming weeks and will do the same come Dry January.
Read more:
Food Matters | Why wait in line at Popeyes for hours? Just to boast 'I've tried it'?
Beyond these annual challenges, you've only to look towards a younger generation to see how drinking habits have started to evolve.
Whether it’s celebrities like Bella Hadid plugging their vitamin-charged spritzes or TikTokers flying the flag for mocktails that put any sickly sweet fruit juice concoctions to shame, it’s no longer the norm to rely on Dutch courage to kickstart an evening.
Back at my desk and researching this week’s Saturday Magazine top ten, I was impressed to find such an incredible collection of innovators closer to home who are creating products that could rival any traditional beer or cocktail.
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Although I have no plans to pledge sobriety in the near future, it’s refreshing to see the wealth of alternatives that are being produced right on our doorstep and the efforts being made to encourage a more mindful approach to drinking.
For anyone taking part in this year’s Sober October, I raise a (0.0%) toast and hope that our list, published on The Herald website tomorrow, helps you discover a new favourite.
Please remember to always drink responsibly and find more information at www.drinkaware.co.uk
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