This will be the first Columbus day/Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend in two years without any physical distancing measures still in place so people are getting ready to gather! Yet, far and wide, more and more people are indicating they’re rethinking drinking.

If you’re hosting a gathering, big or small, chances are that someone at your table may be looking for a non-boozy alternative. Several years ago I may not have been so certain about this, but as high as 40% of North American adults have indicated they are either cutting back or quitting drinking all together.

What does this mean for our social gatherings? In an era of open conversations about inclusivity and accessibility in other areas, non drinkers are still treated as if we have a scarlet A on our forehead. Yet this is no fault of the host. Traditionally, the media and social narratives have encouraged serving wine with your holiday dinners, and making pre-drink cocktails for guests - or making sure you have beer on hand for football. A busy host will make sure that her list of errands pre-gathering includes going to the liquor store and stocking up on everything.

I’m not discouraging being a gracious host for your guests, but I’m suggesting that we flip the “alcohol first” narrative on its head. You can do this two ways:

a) make sure you’re stocking up on elevated non alcoholic options and not just expecting your non-drinking guests want to nurse a sparkling water for several hours

b) put out the non alcoholic drinks first, make them front and centre

Why is this second option so important? It’s not to shame people into asking for alcohol, rather, it sets the tone of acceptance for anyone who doesn’t feel like drinking. We have to understand that many people in our lives are struggling with whether or not to drink - it’s a hidden epidemic that most are not open about. Rather than asking people if they want a boozy drink right up front, it gives people who want to make the right choice a chance to do that before the deeper social pressure kicks in. It changes the narrative to one that’s supportive of any healthy choice.

So now is your chance to practice inclusive hospitality and stock your bar or fridge with the new breed of elevated alcohol-free options. Your non-drinking guests will be grateful.

But what to offer? The new alcohol-free beer, wine and spirits brands are endless no matter your budget. Here is a roundup of options with a slightly higher price tag, available through online retailers across Canada.

For The Bar

Alcohol-free spirits might have been a foreign concept a few years ago, but thanks to all the innovation in this area you can now add beautifully crafted non-alcoholic spirits to your holiday dry bar.

Lyre’s Spirits from Australia makes a robust line of elevated spirits so spot on in taste and smell that you don’t notice the lack of alcohol. Their American Malt is a whiskey replica that is already a category leader. It has a lovely aroma of malted barley and spice with a hint of sweetness, with a mouthfeel that is lighter than expected but packs a punch as it goes down. This is perfect for the person in your life who likes to order a ‘Jack and Coke’.

$42/bottle at lyres.ca - use code SarahKate15 for 15% off your order.

Free Spirits is another import to Canada that drinks like a high-end cocktail bar. Their Spirit of Bourbon is a well-crafted classic, alcohol-free bourbon with a beautiful balanced nose and an unobtrusive flavour. It mixes well in any whiskey based mocktail This is one of my favourites all around. $48/bottle at betterrhodes.ca

For the Beer Lover

Fall long weekends are nothing without beer, and you don’t have to compromise on taste or experience if you’re choosing non-alcoholic beer. Thankfully the time-honed brewing techniques of craft beer translate well into the production of no- or low-alcohol beer (anything under 0.5% ABV is considered non-alcoholic by law). Canada is winning in this category.

Libra is a new kid on the block from Halifax and already winning awards. Their North Cape IPA is a favourite across the country and south of the border. It’s an all-around, great tasting beer that anyone can drink. They have a limited-run Pumpkin Spice Libra for the fall that will add something unique to your fridge. Order direct from Libra.ca, AFBev.ca or well.ca.

$29.99/12 pack

For the Table

Even the Wall Street Journal agrees that celebrating Thanksgiving with a chilled bottle of sparkling wine is the way to go, and the same goes for alcohol-free options. The alcohol-free sparkling wine brand I recommend is called OddBird.

A good spumante is a fresh, light-bodied, effervescent sparkling wine made from the Glera varietal of grape. You’ll know this varietal by its more familiar name - prosecco. A spumante will have soft, moderately sweet flavors of fruits such as oranges, pears, apricots and peaches. The sweetness should be balanced against crisp, lively acidity. OddBird Spumante has all of the above and more.

It’s got the light, tiny bubbles reminiscent of its boozy step-sisters and it’s absolutely delicious and mouthwatering. You will want to go back for another glass again and again.

Above all, it’s exceptional because it doesn’t have the usual rubbery after-taste of many lower quality alcohol-free wines. Most good nonalcoholic sparkling wines have mastered this, but Oddbird Spumante takes the cake. It’s the least obtrusive I’ve had so far.

Their Blanc De Blanc Sparkling Wine is also a wonderful addition to any table and can be mixed well into a punch for a large crowd.

For someone on a budget, the PC brand Rose flat wine will do in a pinch and works well with turkey and steamed veggies. Available at Loblaws and Superstores across the country.

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