Tips & Sips: Andrew's Guide to Cutting Back
Andrew here—Better Rhodes' resident wine snob and the guy who probably answered your last customer service email while sipping an NA rosé.
If you've ever called or emailed us, there's a good chance we've chatted. I handle everything from customer service to product curation, and honestly? I'm that person who gets way too excited talking about the nuances of alcohol-free spirits.
As someone who's cut back significantly on drinking as part of my own health journey (but still enjoys the occasional cocktail or glass of wine), I've learned a thing or two about making this approach actually work. After countless conversations with customers and plenty of my own trial and error, here are my go-to strategies:
Andrew's Top 5 Cutting Back Tips:
1. Release the pressure. Stop getting caught up in the stigma that alcohol is the only option for social events. People truly don't care as much as you think they do—and it's becoming super common for people to cut back or cut out alcohol altogether.
2. Try the 2/3 rule. This is my personal game-changer. If you're cutting back (not going full zero), make your first cocktail full strength, then switch to NA for your second and third. Same with wine or beer. You get the experience without overdoing it.
3. The family mindset for wine lovers. This one's close to my heart as someone who used to be insufferable about wine pairings. NA wines are like sisters or cousins to traditional wine—not identical twins. They offer a similar experience, but you'll constantly be disappointed if you're trying to find one that tastes EXACTLY like your favorite alcoholic wine. Divorce your mindset from direct comparison.
4. Zhuzh hack #1: Use an aerator. Seriously, this simple tool opens up NA wines just like it does for regular wine. Trust the wine nerd on this one.
5. Zhuzh hack #2: Add bitters. A few dashes can bump up that "oomph" factor in NA wines. It's my secret weapon for making them more complex and satisfying my picky palate.
Andrew's Summer Swap Recommendations:
🍹 For Margaritas: Ritual Zero Proof Tequila + fresh lime + agave. The smokiness actually comes through (and I'm annoyingly particular about tequila).
🌿 For Mojitos: Seedlip Garden 108 + muddled mint + lime + soda. Fresh and herbaceous without the next-day regret.
🍷 For Crisp White Wine: Wander + Found Non-Alcoholic Chardonnay. Use that aerator trick—even this wine snob was shocked.
🌹 For Rosé ALL Day: Giesen Non-Alcoholic Rosé. Perfect for poolside sipping and my current obsession.
🍺 For Beer Garden Vibes: Hedlum Non-Alcoholic Grapefruit Love. Personally I'm not a huge beer drinker, but this one is fruity, tart, and perfectly sipable.
The beauty of cutting back? You can still enjoy amazing flavors and social moments—you're just being more intentional about it. I still love a good cocktail or glass of wine, but now it's a choice, not a habit.
Cheers (with whatever you're drinking),
Andrew Better Rhodes' Self-Appointed Chief Taste Tester
P.S. Seriously, try the bitters trick. Start with just 2-3 dashes in your NA wine. Your taste buds (and this wine snob) will thank you.