It's beginning to look a lot like christmas...🎄

The festive period here is here and it's time to soak up all the festivities this winter! 

Enjoying the holiday season without an alcoholic drink doesn’t mean your festive experience needs to be any less fun. If you’re sober curious, looking to cut down on your drinking or totally sober already, here’s our top ways you can have a holly-jolly time...

1. Make a merry mocktail 🍹

This Festive Punch gives all the christmas flavours and will serve you and your flatmates or friends!

·       2 pears sliced

·       2 lemons

·       2 tbsp caster sugar

·       1 tsp mixed spice

·       400ml white grape juice

·       275ml ginger ale

·       500ml sparking water

·       Ice

·       Rosemary springs for extra festivities (optional)

All you need to do is chop up one of your lemons into slices and add to the sliced pears, sugar in a big jug. Add in the mixed spice before leaving to mix and infuse in the fridge for 1 hour.

Add the lemon juice of your other lemon along with the grape juice and sugar. Give the mix a good stir to make sure that the sugar dissolves before pouring in the ginger ale and sparking water. Serve with ice and rosemary.

Here's another bit of mocktail inspiration with just 4 ingredients:

2. Plan a festive flat night with flatmates & friends

Liverpool is full of festivities during December but the holiday season is not just about parties. Here's some ideas for your next festive flat get-together...

Christmas Cosy Night In 🎄

Who doesn’t love a wholesome movie marathon night? Cosy up and watch a feel good film or celebrate the end of term with a well-earned pamper night. Get your best winter PJs on, fluffy socks and pour yourself a hot chocolate (don’t forget the marshmallows)!

Flat baking 🍪

The holiday season is the perfect time to put your baking skills to the test. This Christmas rocky road is giving all the festive feels and is perfect for beginner bakers. It has just 5 ingredients and honestly couldn't be any cuter...

Explore the Christmas lights of Liverpool ✨

Why not suggest a trip to see the magical Christmas lights? Wander round the Albert Dock and explore the waterfront under the twinkling lights before heading to the Christmas Markets in Liverpool City Centre. Pick up a hot chocolate to stay warm and don't forget your hat and scarf!

Explore some of Liverpool's best alcohol-free menus

December often means lots of Christmas parties and nights out. If you're looking to cut out the hangover but not the socialising, you can still bar hop around Liverpool's best spaces for alcohol-free menus.

City centre bars such as Be at One offer a 'no booze' option so you can sip on a pretty mocktail with 0% alcohol. Brewdog are best known for their beer and their alcohol-free selection means you can still enjoy the taste minus the alcohol!

Or grab a mocktail or hot choc The Brink! Not only do they serve delicious food and drinks but they are home to art events, live music and wellness workshops. This bar is completely alcohol-free!

Connect with others 

Christmas time can be a busy one for social plans and partying. If you're look to make connections with other students in a sober space, why not try joining the Guild's Sober Society? You don’t need to be tee total to join, it’s just about not drinking while at their socials and everyone is welcome! Click here to find out more!

Support 

LCAS is Liverpool’s Community Alcohol Service. If you're interested in seeing how you can cut down on drinking, you can download their Lower My Drinking app.  

The Guild of Students also offers free, confidential and non-judgmental support and advice. Get in touch by email guildadvice@liv.ac.uk to arrange a phone call or appointment. 

Give @drinkaware_trust a follow for tips on cutting down and cutting out alcohol. 

Don't forget to look out for the 'alcohol-free' tag in Halls Life events for all alcohol-free events!