The rise and rise of low and no

Celebrate Sober October with non-alcoholic aperitifs, fizz and beer, says Sam Wylie-Harris

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CAN you feel it? Slowly but surely, the social divide between drinking and non-drinking is narrowing... and we're engaging with alcohol-free tipples as much as we love a delicious glass of wine.

And with a buzz around mindful drinking, lifestyle choices and embracing moderation in social circles... there are a wealth of sober experiences bringing people together and a shift in drinking habits.

"We're at this pivotal moment where not only is there a sort of societal, kind of general demand and need for it - but there are products out there now that are exceptional and incredible," says Tom Surgey, TV drinks presenter, author of How to Drink Wine, and founder of of the UK's largest nonalcoholic drinks event, Parched.

"And so what excites me, as someone who both works in and drinks alcohol; and has enormous amounts of time when I don’t drink, I’m a massive nonalcoholic drinker as well... I definitely fit into both camps."

He continues: "For me, the thing about no and low is to be able to go and have incredibly complex, really exciting drinking experiences; but once you finish with them, you don't have the hangover of alcohol."