Socialising without alcohol can feel awkward for one simple reason: most social occasions are built around having a drink in your hand.
The answer does not have to be plain water or another soft drink. There are now plenty of alcohol alternatives that still feel like something you would actually choose at dinner, a barbecue, a party or a night with friends.
The best option depends on what you normally drink and how much you care about bitterness, sweetness, body and ritual.
What makes a good alcohol alternative for socialising?
A good social drink should do more than simply contain no alcohol. Ideally, it should also:
- Feel like a proper drink rather than a substitute
- Have enough flavour to sip slowly
- Work with food
- Be easy to serve when friends are over
- Give you options depending on whether you prefer bitter, dry, fruity or sweet flavours
1. Hop water
Hop water works well socially because it is crisp, aromatic and easy to drink straight from the can or poured into a glass.
It is a strong option if you like bitterness and hop aroma but do not necessarily want something that tastes like beer.
If you are new to the category, read our guide to what hop water is.
2. XHALE social tonics
If you prefer something sweeter and more fruit-forward, XHALE social tonics are a different style of alcohol alternative.
They are designed for the same kinds of occasions as HOPR, but with a softer flavour profile that suits people who do not want the bitterness of hop water.
That makes them particularly useful when you are hosting a group with different tastes. Some people want crisp and bitter. Others want fruitier and easier-drinking.
3. Alcohol-free beer
If you normally drink beer, alcohol-free beer is the most familiar replacement.
Lagers tend to be lighter, while pale ales and IPAs generally bring more hop flavour and bitterness.
For a direct comparison, read our guide to hop water vs alcohol-free beer.
4. Alcohol-free wine
Alcohol-free wine is the obvious option if you want to preserve the familiar bottle, glass and dinner-table ritual.
The quality and sweetness can vary a lot between brands, so it is worth trying a few styles rather than assuming the whole category tastes the same.
If wine is your usual drink, we have a broader guide on what to drink instead of wine.
5. Sparkling tea
Sparkling tea can work especially well for dinner parties and meals.
Tea brings tannin, aroma and structure, so the drier styles can feel more complex than a soft drink. White, green, oolong and black tea all create different flavour profiles.
6. Botanical drinks and aperitif-style alternatives
Botanical drinks can bring herbs, roots, spices and citrus peel into the mix.
The more bitter and herbal styles can work well before dinner or with snacks, especially if you normally enjoy aperitifs or cocktails.
7. Alcohol-free spirits and simple mixed drinks
If making the drink is part of the fun, alcohol-free spirits let you keep the mixing ritual.
A simple serve with soda, citrus and ice is often enough. You do not need to turn every alcohol-free drink into a complicated mocktail.
What should you serve when people have different tastes?
Do not try to find one drink that everyone will love.
A better approach is to offer two distinct styles. For example, something crisp and bitter alongside something fruitier and sweeter.
That is one of the reasons HOPR and XHALE work well together. HOPR covers the more hop-forward, crisp side of the spectrum, while XHALE social tonics give you a softer, fruit-forward option.
What if you do not like sweet drinks?
Start with hop water, dry sparkling tea, bitter botanical drinks or some alcohol-free beers.
We have a full guide to the best non-sweet alcohol alternatives.
What if the social occasion is your trigger to drink?
It can help to decide what you are drinking before you arrive, rather than making the decision once everyone else has ordered.
Bringing your own alcohol alternative to a barbecue, dinner or gathering also removes the guesswork.
The goal is not to make the occasion feel different. It is to make sure you still have something in your hand that you actually want to drink.
Want options for different tastes?
A mixed selection of HOPR and XHALE gives you both ends of the flavour spectrum, from crisp and hop-forward to sweeter and fruit-forward.
Ready to explore the range? Shop the variety cases.
Frequently asked questions
What can I drink socially instead of alcohol?
Hop water, social tonics, alcohol-free beer, alcohol-free wine, sparkling tea, botanical drinks and alcohol-free spirits are all common options.
What is a good alcohol alternative for a dinner party?
Hop water, sparkling tea, alcohol-free wine and botanical drinks all work well with food. Offering both a drier option and a fruitier option gives guests more choice.
What if everyone else is drinking alcohol?
Having an alcohol alternative you genuinely enjoy can make the occasion feel much more normal. Decide what you want to drink ahead of time or bring your own if you are unsure what will be available.
Are social tonics the same as hop water?
No. Hop water is generally more hop-forward and bitter, while social tonics such as XHALE can be sweeter and more fruit-forward.