While you may enjoy a big night out on some evenings, plenty of nights don’t call for such a heavy amount of alcohol.
Sometimes all you want is a chilled-out drink that keeps your evening relaxed. Maybe it’s midweek, and you’ve got to be up for work the following morning, or you might simply feel like keeping things a little gentler without missing out on the taste or ritual of opening a beer.
Luckily, the drinks world has evolved, and there are options out there for those who want to enjoy one without a hangover.
Continue with us as we delve into some lighter drink options…
Chill-Out Beers: Lighter, Lower-Strength Options
Not every beer needs to be strong. The modern-day market is full of lower alcohol percentage lagers and session-strength IPAs that offer the full flavour of a beer with less kick. They’re perfect for nights when you want to experience the taste of alcohol without the intensity of stronger brews.
In particular, session beers are designed for long and chilled evenings, helping you drink at a gentler pace. Due to being lighter, they combine well with simple dinners, like roast chicken or midweek pasta.
When the goal is unfussy and refreshing, these lighter drinks are fantastic.
Alcohol-Free Beers
If you want a beer but don’t feel like a buzz, big or small, there is a wide variety of alcohol-free drinks.
Modern-day 0% lagers actually have the refreshing taste of beer and are brewed with more accurate-tasting ingredients than beer-flavoured soda. Our personal favourite is Tennents Zero, which is a great example of how far this specific type of drink has come in recent years.
Start drinking alcohol-free beers if you want a nice tasting drink in the evening, without the heaviness or slow feeling you might get with regular lager.
Flavoured Sparkling Waters
Both flavoured sparkling water and tasty seltzers are popular drink options, and give you the chance to enjoy a cold, fizzy drink without having to add sugar or alcohol to make them taste nice.
Suggestions to enhance the drink:
- A slice of lime
- A few frozen berries
- A sprig of mint
This makes drinks refreshing, hydrating, and perfect for evenings where you want the ritual without the actual alcohol, as well as brilliant companions for lighter meals.
Low-Key Cocktails
Even if you’re looking for a lighter evening, you can still enjoy mixing a drink.
For low-alcohol cocktails, go for spritzes, shandies, or muddled fruit coolers, which will keep things refreshing, but strike a balance that isn’t overpowering.
White wine spritzers are a good choice that can make a small glass of white wine into a long, slow, and enjoyable drink.
A homemade shandy with a light lager and lemonade is a popular choice, particularly in the summer.
In Summary
A relaxed evening calls for a relaxed drink and one that fits the vibe rather than overpowers it.
Whether you choose a session-strength beer, an alcohol-free choice like Tennent’s Zero, a sparkling water, or a low-key cocktail, it will help you to take it slow and chill out.
