Alternatives to booze

[tartanwiz]

I want to give up booze, but what can I drink in a pub? (Remember I'm a bloke so I don't want something girly).

[Moonhead]

A pint of coke with loads of ice and lemon slices. That's what my blokey drinks when he's driving anyway...

[Janetex]

I'm partial to ginger beer and soda water. Can't think of anything else blokey.

[IndieSinger]

'Tis a good question, tart [note to self: don't shorten tartanwiz's name] - I remember when I turned to just drinking water (of the tap variety); I got weird looks from everyone (especially the bar staff). If you're not concerned with how your image looks to others (and why should you?) then obviously there's the cokes, the lemonades (pints thereof) and the J2Os (the orange and mango one is lovely) of the world. Although I admit that J2Os aren't in any way "blokey". If you want to look like you're drinking beer, there's also Kaliber (sp?) and other low- and non-alcoholic drinks.

[Tat]

in pubs there is coke, diet coke, lemonade, orange juice, cranberry juice, j20, ginger beer, still or sparkling water and sometimes other stuff too (ask the bar staff!). bars are better as most have nice non-alcoholic cocktails as well as the usual stuff. elderflower presse is yummy. good luck!

[woofgang]

depends whether you want a long or short drink and sweet bitter or sharp and diet or non diet. My man likes ginger beer with a dash of angostura biiters, there is alcolol in the bitters but you only have a few drops. You could try having the mixer and additions if you want to look like you have a "real" drink eg tonic ice and lemon.

[apricot]

Don't be overly concerned with what people think of you. I would rather spend time with a man who didn't need alcohol to have a good time and had the confidence to carry it off.

[Tat]

me too apricot

[anthomson]

Cokes, J2O's, juices and water etc are okay if you are only having a few drinks, but its very difficult to drink soft drinks all night, especially fizzy ones. The other problem is you stay sober whilst all your mates get very drunk which makes it difficult to socialize at the same level. The best I have managed is to cut back, starting on a couple of J2O's. I may then have the odd beer later on but always drink shandies on my rounds. I usually make my excuses and leave early.

[mucko]

take up smoking - help with your image

[caz2uk]

Definitely don't take up smoking...just gone 10 weeks without the damn weed after 30 years of smokin it!!!...and it's not been easy.

[rinky]

Stones ginger wine and dry ginger ale, only slightly alco but looks and more importantly tastes like a short.

[Gibbo]

drink non alcoholic beer, they sell it in all pubs that i know of!!

[jills]

not sure if you'd think it girly, but try a "Muddy Puddle" which is half a pint of coke, and half a pint of fresh orange juice (or any ratio you fancy!). Looks just like the name suggests, but tastes really nice: more refreshing than coke, but less zingy healthy than OJ. And hey...we girlies really do love a man who's not afraid of what folk think of him, so don't be too concerned about any neanderthals who give you a hard time about your drink of choice.

[AllYourBase]

Do you want to guive up booze totally? A shandy is nice - and can look like a manly beer. I often go for half lager, half tonic. Sounds awful I know, but it's quite refreshing and actually very nice. It is still alcohol though, so may not fit in if you are looking for a complete abstention.

[apricot]

Guinness and tonic shandy, mmm dry and scrumptious

[archbishop]

Becks do a non-alcohol beer and the bottle is identical to the alcoholic one except for small writing on label.It's very palatable and you'll still be blokey.

[tartanwiz]

Thanks peeps. I was out last night with my work colleagues and I drank (wait for it) pint glassfuls of Canada Dry!

[clarabel7]

When I'm not drinking I usually get pints or half pints of lime or blackcurrant cordial. usually very cheap too :)