Chef With 16 Years Sobriety Shares His Favorite N/A Drinks

Gregory Gourdet hasn't had a drink in nearly 17 years, long before the zero-proof world became cool or even visible. Today, the data confirms what many already sense: people across all ages are drinking less, and the options for those who choose sobriety have never been better.

The Portland chef and cookbook author has witnessed this shift from every angle. His 80-year-old father recently stopped drinking altogether, not because of a problem, but because alcohol simply stopped adding value to his life. Through his years in Alcoholics Anonymous, Gourdet has also met countless people for whom alcohol was never an option.

Between these two poles sits a growing middle: people choosing to drink less or not at all because they feel better without it. Not drinking used to require an explanation. Now, drinking heavily often does.

Wellness has gone mainstream, and even casual drinkers think in terms of balance. Global moments like Dry January have normalized abstaining, whether temporarily or permanently. Gourdet has met plenty of people who started with one dry month and turned it into several because of how good and productive they felt.

The good news? Ritual, flavor, and social connection still matter. Ethanol just isn't mandatory anymore, and beverage companies have moved quickly to meet the moment.

For beer lovers, Gourdet reaches for Heck Brewing's Silver Lining IPA, an independent brewery using Pacific Northwest ingredients. The beer delivers balanced bitterness with notes of citrus, spruce, and pineapple. He also keeps Athletic Brewing's Hazy IPA in his fridge and praises Guinness Draught 0.0 as one of the closest non-alcoholic replicas of a legacy beer on the market.

Zero-proof wine has improved dramatically, with Europe leading the charge. German producers like Kolonne Null are focusing on acidity, structure, and dryness rather than sugary substitutes. Their Riesling bursts with crisp apple and pear while retaining real minerality and balance.

For premium celebrations, French Bloom from the Taittinger family offers a Champagne-style sparkling wine made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. It's crisp, dry, and polished enough for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

The non-alcoholic spirits category took longer to mature, but it's finally arrived. Aplós Calme stands out with yuzu, basil, shiso, and dandelion creating a layered profile that drinks like a composed cocktail base. The hemp infusion adds subtle body and a soft, grounding finish.

Why This Inspires

Gourdet's journey shows that choosing not to drink isn't about deprivation anymore. It's about intention, quality, and feeling your best. Whether someone is taking a break for a month or choosing not to drink at all, the options for celebration, ceremony, and relaxation have never been more abundant or delicious.

His simple takeaway resonates: consume with intention, no matter what's in your glass.