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We are so excited to stock Banks Herbarium & Pink Grapefruit Tonic and Banks Botanicals in our store. Keep a look out, it will be available soon! I got to try some this weekend and I loved it!  Banks Herbarium & Pink Grapefruit Tonic was refreshing, sophisticated, bold, and elegant to have in a highball glass garnished with pomegranate seeds.  It was absolutely delicious and only 9 calories. Definitely not feeling guilty about enjoying this truly beautiful, elegant cocktail premixed drink made right here in Yarra Valley, Victoria using the botanicals from our Australian bush.  Banks Herbarium & Pink Grapefruit Tonic captures the essence of each ingredient in its purest form to create a low-sugar, completely vegan cocktail. Taste the mountain-fresh Yarra Valley water used to distill the distinctive cinnamon notes of cassia, together with the fresh high notes of lemon myrtle and lime, the nutty roasted flavour of wattleseed and the spice of wild Tasmanian pepperberry. With the global trend of reduced alcohol consumption for better health and well-being, Banks Herbarium & Pink Grapefruit Tonic is your next go to drink.  Highly recommend this drink for your next event. Get your Banks Herbarium & Pink Grapefruit Tonic in our online store.  Written by The N.A.C. Team. 

Did you know Sbagliato means "mistaken" or "broken" in Italian, a reference to substituting the gin in a traditional Negroni for sparkling wine? Well, so I learned today about Negroni Sbagliato thanks to my Lyre's AU friends.  Here is a recipe to try making one for yourself by substituting gin with Lyre's Classico Grande. Ingredients: 30mL Lyre’s Italian Orange 30mL Lyre’s Aperitif Rosso 90mL Lyre’s Classico Grande Method: Pour all ingredients into the glass. Fill with ice, and stir.  Glass: Use a large wine glass or tumbler.  Garnish: Use a fresh orange slice. Easy Negroni Sbagliato to make when you are substituting your alcohol intake. Try making one today!  Written by The N.A.C. Team *Recipe and photo credit to Lyre's AU Mixologist Class. 

Well Sober October was originally an idea created by Life Education as a fundraiser called ‘October’ which gained popularity in the UK and the MacMillian Cancer Support recreated the idea of raising awareness to cut back alcohol campaign hence the name ‘Sober October’ in support of cancer research fundraising campaign. You are 7 days away from completing your challenge! Cutting back and rethinking mindful drinking habits are good ways to take control of your drinking this October or any month of the year.  There are apps that can help you learn how to reframe your drinking. If you are trying to cut back, check out The Reframe App They offer a free trial as well, an app created by experts to help with alcohol reduction, nutrition, and wellness. Lots of people cut back on drinking for a number of reasons. We all know that alcohol can make you think you are cool and fun to be around but when you lose control of your drinking, it can be your worst nightmare that steals your memories, friendships, and family connections. It is the number one cause of social destruction and more so than ever highlighted by COVID-19 pandemic. A lot of Aussies during the lockdown period re-thought their relationship with alcohol and re-evaluated how much was too much and what gains were they getting from constantly recovering from hangovers. Was it worth the pain, soul destruction, and ruined relationships? That led to the re-thinking of their drinking habits and re-gaining clarity and balance in their lives, especially for young parents who crave opportunities to socialize and miss that connection with other adults in an adult social situation.  Young parents understand the energy required to be their best and present in their children’s lives. Lots of them grew up with examples of their parents, aunties, uncles, and grandparents having issues with alcohol and binge drinking and addiction. It is never a rosy road! Lots of trauma and abuse have been suffered in the hands of alcohol abuse that this generation is recalling and making a conscious decision to be more present in parenting and choosing not to drink. We have lots of Australian producers who are crafting their craft as they see a need for adult drinks that won’t make them miss out on family relationships and memories. The non alcoholic range is expanding and less than 0.5% ABV range is a great way to cut back on your intake or simply substitute if you are already a sober curious drinker, an athlete, a young parent, a nursing mum, a lifelong non-drinker or anyone who is putting their health first and simply cutting back.  It’s a great choice for all and you can’t get drunk on less 0.5% ABV no matter how many drinks you have. That’s why we say, 'drinking without limit'. Hopefully you have plenty of non alcoholic options to see you through the next 7 days of Sober October challenge. Well done for sticking with the challenge! Written by The N.A.C. Team. 

Our newest product added to the shelves this week, is AWESOME SOURCE, just like the name, it’s AWESOME!   Founders Ben and Frances from Melbourne set out to create a beautiful G &T that not only comes with the most gorgeous packaging but has the most natural-tasting non alcoholic G&T drink that tastes just like the real thing.   Ben, a rocket scientist, and Frances, a marketer, and a new mummy to a 6 month old baby boy, together in May launched this most amazing, most fanciest, most tastiest G&T in the world with less than 0.5% ABV.   I love their AWESOME packaging and it’s so great for gifting. Frances told me that to package their beautiful bottles so smartly and attractively, she worked alongside a perfume packaging company to get the packaging right. How AWESOME is that! That itself shows so much thought, care and love put in this AWESOME product to create the best non alcoholic G&T in the world.   We are super proud to add this AWESOME G&T onto our shelves for all our AWESOME customers.   AWESOME SOURCE you are AWESOME!   Written by The N.A.C. Team.

Sober October challenge just like the Dry July and Dry January campaigns is set up to encourage reductions in alcohol consumption for a month. Studies show that no amount of alcohol is good for a healthy heart according to World Heart Federation. According to a 2022 study moderate drinking on the weekends can lead to emotional, social, and psychological impacts on your life. Sober October is challenging you to monitor your drinking habits and aim for more mindful drinking. NHS UK compiled 8 steps to help you cut back your alcohol intake and make Sober October a successful one for you. Step 1. Make a plan Decide how much you will drink. If it’s one less drink that’s great, set a limit on how much you will drink from the preset. Step 2. Set a budget Decide how much you will spend. Take only that much money to spend on alcohol. Step 3. Let your family and friends know Tell them you are going Sober for October or trying to cut back in October. You will find people will support your decision. Step 4. Take one day at a time It’s a month challenge and cutting back a little at a time will give you the feeling of success. Step 5. Make your drinks a small one Try smaller size drinks, small glass of wine, a can of beer instead of a pint. Step 6. Swap to non alcoholic drinks Cutting down your alcohol intake, swap for lower ABV or less than 0.5% ABV. Step 7. Keep hydrated Drink a glass of water before you have a glass of alcoholic drink or swap with alternative non alcoholic drinks. Step 8. It’s okay to take a break Allow yourself free days each week during this October. Keep up with the Sober October challenge. If you have more helpful tips, you can email me at hello@thenonalcoholicclub.com.  GO SOBER THIS OCTOBER! Written by The N.A.C. Team. 

Sober October is upon us once again and what changes are you making to kick it off the right way. October is the month when people are encouraged to give up drinking, doing drugs and smoking for 31 days. It is a trend gaining popularity over the last 2 years since Covid-19 pandemic. Ocsober is an Australian fundraising initiative behind ‘Go Sober this October’ raising funds for Life Education Australia with mascot Healthy Harold encouraging Australians to give up alcohol for 31 days. It’s a good time to take a break, cleanse yourself from alcohol related toxins before the festive season starts, is one of the main reasons why many people participate in Sober October. The culture of drinking is shifting among millennials and Gen Zens as they drive the initiatives like Sober October, Dry July and Dry January. Taking a break from alcohol is not a new concept but it gained more  popularity after release of Ruby Warrington’s book in 2018, ‘Sober Curious’. Sober October allows sober curious people to see what life without alcohol looks and feels like. Some after completing the challenge revolutionize their lives by choosing to become lifelong non alcoholics. Whatever your reasons or motives are, it’s definitely a worthwhile initiative to give it a go this October and say goodbye to bad mood swings, hangovers, constant bloating and feeling exhausted and regain zest and clarity for a month. Give Sober October a go this month! Written by The N.A.C. Team

Making a delicious Mojito using Lyre's White Cane Spirit - an alternative to white rum.  Delicious vegan friendly, dairy free, nut free, gluten free and egg free recipe to cater for any dietary needs.  A must try for this Sober October! Make this delicious cocktail/mocktail with Lyre's White Cane Spirit to start Sober October properly.  Ingredients: 75mL Lyre's White Cane Spirit 30mL Lime Juice 15mL White Sugar Syrup 8-10 mint leaves 30mL Soda Water Ice Cubes Method:  Add all ingredients into glass. Fill with ice cubes. Stir. Add soda water. Garnish with mint leaves and lime wheel.  Serve in a Highball Glass, garnish with lime wheel and mint leaves.  Enjoy! Make Sober October a memorable one.   Written by the N.A.C. Team.  *Recipe and photo credit to the Lyre's AU Mixologist Class.

If you are reading this, then you are most probably switching to an alcohol free lifestyle or have already switched. In that case, Big Congratulations...Bravo! You took the first step and a very big STEP. Now let's discuss reaping the benefits of being alcohol-free. How exciting!! I feel excited about your journey and the benefits you will feel and see in your life. Research suggests some great benefits to take advantage of in the short term that you can start to notice from day one just by making that decision to go alcohol-free whether it is a permanent decision or you are simply just taking a break. These are some of the things you can look out for and enjoy to make your lifestyle better. Well, the first one is a very obvious benefit, NO MORE HANGOVERS. Yes, you heard me, NO MORE feeling crappy the next morning and that leads to no more headaches. You will wake up every morning with a clear mind. Isn't that the most amazing feeling to look forward to? Better Mental Health and we all know how important that has been since COVID. Yes, thanks COVID you have highlighted some real issues in our society that we just didn't want to address for a long time but we can't avoid them now. Misuse of alcohol = Declined Mental Health but we needed COVID to make us realize that. So just by choosing to go alcohol-free, your mental health will thank you! Sleeping better! Oh my, I love my sleep so just to know that you will reap the benefits of a good night's sleep makes me so happy. Who wouldn't want that to start looking forward to a good night's sleep, a restful and healthier sleep? Alcohol and Drug Foundation suggests that "sleep is a foundation of good health". These were the first 3 benefits of being alcohol-free. I will share more tips for experiencing a healthier lifestyle as you continue your mindful drinking lifestyle. Written by the N.A.C. Team. 

Have you tried this? What do you think? My absolute favourite zero shiraz red wine! Can't fault the flavours and the richness of the wine. Beautiful Australian shiraz gets the colour of the rich red fruits and dark plum flavours that allow for mid-palate and nice textures with a hint of white pepper and exotic spices from the oak. Wolf Blass zero range is an absolute dinner favourite that will beautifully accompany your red meats, pasta and roast dinners or just about any occasion. This is a breathtaking zero shiraz range that is a must-try! I can guarantee it will not disappoint. I am rating this as 5 stars. Brand: Wolf Blass Style: Sweet Red Packaging: Bottle Closure: Screw Cap Origin: Australia Alcohol content: Less than 0.5% ABV Written by the N.A.C. Team. 

Looking for a change! So if you are reading this, then you have probably decided that you need a change in your drinking options. Change is hard and it can be an uncomfortable feeling when you are trying to make a change. We all know that one step at a time is the way to tackle change no matter what part of your life you are trying to change! The Non Alcoholic Club was created to share inspiration with like-minded people and promote alternative drinking options for everyone regardless of their reasons. You might be pregnant or a nursing mum wanting to enjoy a glass of bubbly on a special occasion, a high-performing athlete conscious of your alcohol intake, you are abstaining from alcohol because of your religious views, you may have a medical condition, you may have grown up in a culture where alcohol didn't play a big part in your life and you like the idea of having a glass of wine without alcohol, or you are simply cutting back to enjoy a healthier lifestyle, then the non alcoholic range is for you so you can enjoy the zero alcohol drinks. We all are very aware of the long-term effects of alcohol and alcohol-related issues in our society. Aussie culture is changing and more and more people are choosing alternative drinking options since COVID-19. We no longer have to justify our choices to our mates. We promote non-alcoholic beverages. Non alcoholic beverages are classified as having 0% to less than 0.5% ABV and we stand for responsible drinking habits. If you prefer the zero alcohol range, now we have plenty of selections out on the market to suit all consumers in our society. It's all about changing our lifestyle one step at a time or in this case, changing our lives, one drink at a time. Enjoy the journey of living a healthier lifestyle and regaining energy and zest without feeling guilty while enjoying the non alcoholic beverage range with friends and family. Written by the N.A.C. Team.