Traveling
as a sober person can be quite challenging at times. No matter how comfortable
you are with your sobriety or how long it’s been since your last alcoholic
drink, it can still feel like you’re missing out. After all, the whole point of
traveling is to soak in as many new experiences as you can and plenty of those
experiences seem to involve imbibing. When you’re with other people who seem to
be enjoying themselves all the more because of their buzz, it can feel pretty awkward
declining to partake.
Luckily, it seems
like travel and hospitality providers are finally dedicating some serious thought
to providing satisfying non-alcoholic alternatives that can rival their boozy
counterparts. Instead of having to order a virgin (fill-in-the-blank) that’s probably
just cocktail mixer or syrup and ice, sober and sober-curious travelers are
beginning to get some more epicurean options when it comes to their beverages.
In fact, I’ve noticed mocktails appearing on menus alongside cocktails more as
a matter of course these days.
Reports indicate
that we have the younger generation to thank for this, as Gen-Z travelers are
increasingly embracing the sober or sober-curious movement when it comes to
their vacations. Alternatively, the amplified adoption of a zero-proof lifestyle
could be attributed to the ever-increasing demand for wellness offerings and a
post-COVID self-care mindset. Whatever the reason, it’s honestly a relief to be
able to join your companions at a bar and find something to sip on that doesn’t
make you feel plain left out.
The difference nowadays
is, as The
Washington Post put it, a wider social acceptance of teetotaling—without
asking “why?”. In its annual trend
report, Expedia
found that more than a quarter of college-aged Americans opt not to drink
alcohol, while their parents are also drastically reducing their intake. For the
way this trend has migrated into the tourism space, the OTA coined the term “dry-tripping”.
So, let’s give it
up for the travel and hospitality companies that recognized the demand and have
stepped up to start normalizing serving non-alcoholic beers, wines, and mixed
drinks in bars and restaurants.
Lindblad
Expeditions’ VP of Hotel Operations, Ana Esteves, told Travel
+ Leisure, “Demand for NA drinks is way up the past couple of years,” and
went on to say that the line dedicates as much time to coming up with delicious
mocktail recipes as crafting traditional cocktails. Celebrity
Cruises, Explora
Journeys, Holland
America Line, MSC
Cruises, Oceania
Cruises, Princess
Cruises and others also stock zero-proof spirits and serve a variety of
non-alcoholic specialty drinks.
Back on dry land,
hoteliers are also answering the call for booze-free beverages. In late 2021, Hyatt
debuted its “Zero Proof, Zero Judgment” program at select Andaz and Thompson
properties in the U.S. Hilton
is embracing the “dry-tripping” trend at its new Tempo by Hilton brand hotels,
where the bar menu features both “Spirited” and “Free-Spirited” cocktails.
Even air carriers
are starting to hop on the booze-free bandwagon. Last spring, JetBlue
became the first U.S. airline to offer the option of non-alcoholic beer onboard
and, in Business Class, also offers a zero-proof version of its popular Mint
Condition cocktail. Alaska
Airlines followed late last year with its own non-alcoholic beer, which is
complimentary in premium cabins, but can also be purchased by passengers in
Economy.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
