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Looking for the perfect gift for a newly sober friend? Whether your bestie is testing the waters of an alcohol-free lifestyle or saying goodbye to booze for good, there’s never been a better time to find a present that supports sobriety. This year you have your pick of products to make the transition more pleasant, including an Epi favorite nonalcoholic cocktail recipe book and glassware and gadgets that can make even tap water feel more festive. Of course, you won’t have to go the tap water route, since zero-proof spirits can be as nuanced and varied as the hard stuff and much easier to order online.
Here are 19 thoughtful gifts for a newly sober friend.
A book of good drinks that never needed alcohol in the first place
Veteran food and drink writer Julia Bainbridge knows that the best zero-proof drinks aren’t just lazy adaptations of boozy classics. The nonalcoholic cocktail recipes in her book, Good Drinks: Alcohol-Free Recipes for When You're Not Drinking for Whatever Reason, are ambitious, complex creations that sometimes take a little work (or at least squeezing fresh juice)—and that’s part of the fun.
New glassware
Old habits die hard and sometimes a lifestyle change requires new props. In this case, it’s glassware. While some newly sober folks may prefer sipping zero-proof drinks from the same drinkware they’ve always used, others may find the adjustment is easier with new handblown or mouth-blown glasses in versatile shapes and sizes. Or opt for glitzy Great Gatsby–inspired highball glasses with a festive gold base.
Zero-proof spirits
Not every person who’s given up alcohol will appreciate a zero-proof spirit, but for those who will these are some of Epi staffers’ favorites. Wilfred’s Non Alcoholic Bittersweet Aperitif is reminiscent of Campari, but with notes of warm, spicy clove while Ghia is an earthier nonalcoholic aperitif with lots of bright, bitter citrus flavor.
Or maybe they’d prefer a sampler pack of Proxies—wine alternatives that are so much more complex and flavorful than most examples of dealcoholized wine.
For the nonalcoholic gift that keeps on giving, there’s Raising The Bar, a zero-proof craft cocktail subscription box.
A stash of satisfying sweets
It’s common for people to experience sugar cravings after giving up alcohol. Make sure your newly sober friend is stocked up with the good stuff, like a giftable sampler box of honey-sweetened, dairy-free raw chocolate bars from Honey Mama’s or dark-chocolate dipped candied orange peels from André’s Confiserie Suisse.
A book of sweet sourdough recipes
As we learned in 2020, baking sourdough is a great way to pass the time and occupy the mind. And it's never too late to hop on the sourdough train. In fact, it’s even more appealing now than it was at the beginning of lockdown thanks to pastry chef Caroline Schiff’s, debut cookbook, The Sweet Side of Sourdough: 50 Irresistible Recipes for Pastries, Buns, Cakes, Cookies and More.
A good water bottle
Staying hydrated is always important, and newly sober folks may find themselves reaching for a water bottle more than ever before. Make sure ice-cold hydration is always within arm’s reach with a high-quality insulated water bottle. These leak-proof options can be customized with a monogram or words of encouragement too.
Bubbles on demand
Giving up booze does not have to mean giving up bubbly drinks. It doesn’t have to mean overdoing it with sugary sodas, either. Former beer and wine drinkers, especially, will love the ability to make carbonated water on demand with one of the top soda makers from our product testing.
Vinegar that’s good enough to drink
A high-quality flavored vinegar can be used to finish food, sure, but because it’s tart, sweet, and bright, it’s even better in a zero-proof drink. This limited-edition collaboration between Brightland and Oishii is bursting with ripe strawberry flavor that’s perfect for a nonalcoholic spritzer. Just add seltzer.
The good ice
If money is no object, or you’re just feeling spendy, give the greatest nonalcoholic gift of all: the ability to make “the good ice” at home. This countertop ice maker—the top pick from our product testing two years running—can produce up to 24 pounds of chewable Sonic-style ice a day. And it’s worth every penny.
Better sleep and brighter mornings
Giving up alcohol is a lifestyle change that can lead to healthier sleep habits. Help speed the process along with a Hatch, a hybrid nightlight–white noise machine that can be customized with soothing soundtracks as well as bedtime and morning wake-up routines.
A disco ball
In case you haven’t heard, disco balls are back, baby. And a disco ball can turn any old occasion (yes, even a random Tuesday afternoon) into a party. No booze required.
