A sober eighteen? Seven non-alcoholic glasses to toast during national holidays

It is difficult to conceive of the imagination of National Holidays excluding alcohol consumption from the equation. Between jokes and jokes, the truth comes out, but for many, the eighteen is mainly an excuse to drink excessively.

The official discourse never considered the idea of ​​not getting drunk on these dates.

On the contrary: the greatest amount of content, which is repeated year after year, is aimed at “how to pass the rod” —yes, we did that too—, with a series of magic tricks —like drinking water between glasses, swallowing ibuprofen or even continuing to drink the next day, forgetting the only infallible remedy against dryness: not drinking. And if they don’t omit this information, they only include it at the end, as a joke.

At best, there is a timid call for responsible drinking, which is almost always linked to the prohibition of driving if one has drunk alcohol, but not much more.

The idea is not to water down —literally— the party. But drinking shouldn’t be a must on Eighteen or any other celebration. Although social pressure makes you feel that way, drinking is not an obligation, much less the password to having a good time.

“Socially and culturally, we have fun drinking alcohol, especially during national holidays, which is like the relief of the year,” explains Betania Cohen, a psychologist at Framing . “This is the time when Chileans do not filter and allow excessive drinking, food, partying, spending.”

Why does this happen? Cohen quotes Philippe Lecannelier doctor of psychology, who in his book look again concludes — on the basis of studies and clinical experiences — that Chilean society has “a tendency to internalize”. That is to say that we generally swallow the things that happen to us, to repress them inside ourselves. Therefore, he explains, we have to let off steam from time to time.

Quite a paradox, says Cohen, because the way to “break free” ends up being “an obligation. He gets drunk to free himself, but he who does not drink is punished like a fome. Therefore, what should be a relaxation ends up being a social mandate.

How can we protect ourselves from this overwhelming social pressure if for some reason you don’t want to take that eighteen? What drinkable alternatives are there, apart from helping yourself to a drink, a juice or a glass of water, during these evenings? Is there an earthquake that doesn’t leave you with a devilish hangover?

“There’s a general opinion that if you don’t drink alcohol, you don’t have as much fun as when you drink it,” says Walter Marcelain, who makes his living creating cocktails in Pulmay-Restaurant . “According to my perception, this is totally false. Pleasure comes through everyone’s energy and desire to party”.

Since there are wooden knives at a blacksmith, Marcelain knows quite a few fellow bartenders who don’t drink. “It’s more common than you might think,” he says. “With the experience you gain and the ability to remember or mix flavors in your mind without having to try them, you can work without drinking or trying only minimal amounts.”

Miguel Larraguibel, bartender says fucking bartender , recognizes this socio-cultural pressure disguised as a national tradition. “It’s exercised by the meat and beverage industry, which tells you to celebrate by barbecuing and drinking to excess.” Of course, he feels that this has changed a lot in recent years, “and that a place has been made for the idea that it is acceptable to celebrate or to commemorate but with certain guarantees, and that not all traditions are correct”.

Psychologist Betania Cohen has a patient she works with on this topic. “She wants to get away from that lifestyle because she sees it’s taking a toll on her body, her energy levels, her cognition. If you don’t want to drink or party moderately, I think the The main thing is to realize why you are choosing to do this, it will give you the strength to stay in this position.

It sounds easy to say, but in the midst of a barbecue full of beer with friends or a restaurant with half the people drunk, it’s not easy to resist sober social pressure. A good techniqueas María Carmen Sliveres suggests here Spanish psychologist specializing in addictions – is that of the “broken record”: choose a sentence with which you feel comfortable, such as “I don’t feel like it, thank you”, or “not now, thank you”, and repeat like a parrot whenever we ask.

But maybe the definitive solution so family and friends don’t accuse us of treason against the country for staying sober is to color in first.

How? Very easy. Prepare — or have to offer, if you want to be inclusive — delicious and healthy non-alcoholic cocktails.

“Moco what?” They will ask yes or yes at family, office or any barbecue. A cocktail without alcohol It was previously called a “virgin cocktail”, a concoction that contains alcohol in its original recipe, but here it is omitted or replaced with something else that has no alcohol content. alcohol.

In short, a drink that does not heal. For this to be really interesting — because a piscola without pisco is simply Cocacola — “my recommendation will always go towards natural ingredients, such as fruit juices mixed with soft drinks, tonic, botanical or simply flavored waters. So we will get a cocktail without alcohol fresh, delicious, easy to make and with lots of character,” says Ramón Varela, head bartender at sand bar .

Bartender Walter Marcelain opts for something more traditional. “I recommend the ever-trusty non-alcoholic chelada or michelada: refreshing and rich,” he says. The only thing you need to get is a 0º beer you like, salt, lemon and Tabasco, if you’re looking for something spicy to make up for the lack of alcohol.

And is an earthquake that does not leave a terrible physical, mental and spiritual reed the next day possible? “Obviously yes,” says Varela confidently.

“Mix pineapple juice and ice with a little grenadine. You can also give free rein to your imagination and use a white wine without alcohol, mix it with pineapple juice, a pinch of salt – yes, salt – and finish with grenadine and ice”. Marcelain also says it can be replaced with a lemon-flavored drink, like Sprite or Seven Up, “or if that seems too sweet for the tonic water.”

Did you like it a bit? Walter Marcelain rolls up his sleeves and, shaking a shaker, launches two recipes of non-alcoholic cocktails that just reading them makes you thirsty.

The first is literally a fruit cocktail. “In a glass filled with ice, put 1 measure orange juice, 1 measure simple syrup (or 2 teaspoons caster sugar), 2 tablespoons chopped fruit – which can be red or green apples , oranges, blueberries or strawberries – and fill with cranberry juice.

Whoever comes has no alcohol but has caffeine, maybe needed to endure a long party where almost everyone is cured except you.

“East cocktail without alcohol It can be made in a gin glass, which is very trendy. First you need to fill it with ice, add a slice of orange and another slice of lemon, about 3 scoops of pineapple or passion fruit juice, fill with blueberry energy drink – although that can also be the classic yolk, which is just as tasty – and a splash of sparkling water to tone down the sweetness a bit.

Maldito Barman offers three refreshing options. The first is very fruity: in a glass with ice, add 120 ml of watermelon or strawberry juice, plus 60 ml of raspberry juice and 30 ml of grapefruit juice. Finish with a splash of chewing gum or another sweetener of your choice.

The second is less sweet and more complex. “It’s about making a green tea with cinnamon sticks and steeping it until it cools. Then, in a glass with ice, fill to ¾ and finish with a little grapefruit juice and sugar,” he suggests.

But his cocktail without alcohol My favorite is this: a boneless virgin version. “Originally there was pisco, but it works perfectly as cocktail without alcohol. It’s huesillo juice — the one used for mote con huesillo — with a little passion fruit juice and a little lemon, it’s very good! “, he enthuses.

We warn that going through national holidays in sobriety will not be easy. Cohen thinks that “some people will understand and support you if you explain your reasons to them; others will not understand you. It is difficult for human beings to accept what they do not understand. For some people, not drinking on Eighteen can be revolutionary!

“I suggest changing direction and not having to hit yourself with a hammer in the face, or having to bag because it’s September,” the Cursed Barman concludes. “It can be humorous, videos of drunk people are funny and it can happen sometimes, but it’s not normal for it to be a habit and it certainly doesn’t have to be.”

*Product prices in this article are current as of September 7, 2022. Values ​​and availability may change.