“It’s better to give than receive,” says a piece of Biblical wisdom. But what if that gift also gives back? That’s the benefit of giving the gift of mindful drinking. As your friend, partner, family member, or co-worker hones their skills at creating delicious “No & Low” alcohol cocktails, ideally, you get to share in the wealth. Also, for many, changing their relationship with alcohol means improving both their life span and health span. Double bonus.
Laura Silverman and I have decided to collaborate on ZERO + DAMAGE Holiday Gift Guide this year combining Zero Proof Nation and Positive Damage in an irresistible phrase-fusion: Zero Damage. Through this guide, you’ll get a variety of gift choices from two people deeply immersed in mindful drinking and the world of “No & Low” products. Laura’s picks will come out via her Substack, while mine will be featured here.
I’ve selected some of my favorite things and stacked it with a few “gifts” I created. Self-promotion, amirite? But I worked so hard to create them and think the mindful drinker in your life can greatly benefit from them, not least of which is a subscription to this Substack.
Gifts Under $25
Derek’s Choice: Seasn Dark
I’ve started sprinkling this non-alcoholic bitter/seasoning mixture on bitter and dark drinks to make them bitter-er and darker. While that may sound punishing, it turns out delightful. From non-alcoholic Old Fashioneds to low-alcohol Rum & Colas (split with a non-alcoholic rum alternative), Seasn adds a little extra push. It’s more nutty and earthy than bitter and ends with a touch of brown sugar. ‘Tis the Seasn!
Gifts Under $50
Derek Choice: NASM Mindful Drinking Course
Creating this course was a labor of love. It’s chock full of information on the history of alcohol and spirits, health effects of alcohol, and how to drink mindfully. There are also recipe cards you can use to make both no- and low-alcohol cocktails. The class has text, videos, and animation, so it’s a class but not just text and tests. I also interview experts in the field of alcohol and society and alcohol and sleep. The course is usually $69 but is now on sale for $49, a bargain for a brain dump of all I know about mindful drinking.
Gifts Under $75
Derek Choice: Positive Damage Substack Subscription
You’re reading this, so I presume you already appreciate my Substack. However, I urge you to appreciate it more. Every week, I send at least one (often two) posts ranging from recipes to deep dives on topics related to mindful drinking. It’s my labor of love and the small fee I extract is minuscule compared to how much effort I put into it. It’s an eclectic newsletter geared toward helping people live more deliberately and more deliciously. You’re as likely to read an article about positive psychology as you are to read an article on non-alcoholic wine picks.
Gifts Under $125
Derek Choice: Nutribullet Ultra
I generally have professional grade blenders in my house because that’s the industry I work in. I make drinks and you need the right equipment for that. But I got my hands on this home model and now all my protein shakes and sometimes even batidos are made with it. Mostly, because it’s easy. Add to the cup, put the top on, and push the button. Walk away to make a sandwich and, by the time you open the refrigerator door to grab a slice of deli meat, your drink is ready.
The Splurge
Derek Choice: The Balsa Glider Kit
This drink was a recipe of the month earlier this year, a non-alcoholic version of the Paper Plane. Get it, Basal Glider?! If not, clearly you missed out as a child on the thin basal wood planes you could wind the propeller on and get a good 20-30 feet of flight. I was psyched to collaborate on the kit with The Zero Proof. You can still grab the ingredients and make it at home. But, you also get three of the best non-alcoholic spirits and can make a number of delicious spritzes, stirred cocktails, and sours.
That’s it for part one. Expect Laura to post part two next week on Zero Proof Nation. And yes, if you haven’t yet, you should start your holiday shopping very soon. I mean, Mariah has been playing for several weeks now and Black Friday is only a little over a week away. To paraphrase Jon Snow: The holidays are coming!
What’s happening and what’s next….
In my latest episode of The Mindful Drinking Podcast, I discuss how to tackle the holidays without over-drinking using my R.A.T.E. (Replace, Avoid, Temper, Elicit Help), which is easier said than done: Holidays Without the Hangover. 🎧
Laura Silverman recently included a post on Zero Proof Nation, “5 global non-alc experts walk into a bar...” featuring interviews by Camille Vidal and non-alcohol beverage picks from me and my wife/business partner, Maria Bastasch. 🍾 🍷 🍺 🍹
Mindful Drinking Fest is coming January 10-12, the largest mindful drinking festival in the U.S. with a weekend full of wellness programming, parties, and hundreds of non-alcoholic drinks to taste. If you and your brand want to get involved, send an email to derek@drinkcompany.com. 🧠
Thank you to Oar Health for your important work and sponsorship of Positive Damage! Learn more about how Oar Health can help you drink less or quit here.
You know your stuff, sir! 🥰🤩🥳🤓⚡️
Yasssss!!!