Each week, Samantha Lewis shares her insights on various topics, from exploring new health trends to reimagining personal growth.
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Somewhere in the last couple of years, without ever really deciding to, I started drinking a lot less.
I don't think I'd ever say I don't drink.
I'm a foodie at heart, and I drink like one, more connoisseur, drawn to the craftsmanship and care that goes into a great wine or a well made gin.
It's an extension of food, an Epicurean thing, part of appreciating the beautiful things in life.
I adore a beautiful red, and I have been known to guzzle dirty martinis that are designed to be slowly sipped.
Gin and I go way back.
When each sip is so delicious and you're in good company, it's easy to keep going, and before you know it, the whole bottle is gone.
Which is exactly why I've had to bring in a two drink rule.
My body has opinions these days.
Anything past two and I feel sick, and the next day I'm completely wiped.
Nobody warns you that bouncing back becomes something you used to do.
When you have kids, you want to be in good form.
It's bad enough being properly sick with little ones relying on you, let alone sick by your own hand.
It turns out I'm not alone, and the younger generations are well ahead of me.
Flinders University researchers looked at the drinking habits of 23,000 Australian adults and found Gen Z were close to 20 times more likely than Baby Boomers to turn down a drink, and drank the least of any group each week.
Their idea of a big weekend looks more like a Pilates class and a matcha latte than a pub crawl.
Globally, the zero alcohol drinks industry is forecast to be worth $64.7 billion by 2028.
That's tough news for venues relying on the bar to pay the bills, and having run a venue myself, I understand that pressure.
As a community, though, I think it's a fantastic shift.
People are more conscious of their health and more aware of what alcohol does to the brain and to every part of the body.
What's interesting is, is that people aren't only drinking less.
When they do drink, they're choosing quality and are willing to spend a little more on it.
Industry analysts point to premiumisation as the reason spirits consumption has grown in recent years.
That's very much where I've landed too.
Getting there hasn't come from restriction.
I've noticed there's something defiant in my internal make-up that will see me determined to push back against any detected boundaries or rules I set myself.
So I find that offering myself alternatives that have the potential to become habit works far better.
I keep non-alc alternatives in the fridge as a ready to grab option.
I enjoy the ritual of creating fruity and floral non-alc cocktail recipes for when I'm hosting friends.
Sometimes, though, I really do just want a drink, and that's totally fine.
Because regular drinking isn't a habit or a problem for me, I don't feel guilty about it.
The difference now is quality, quantity and frequency.
Better drinks, fewer of them, less often, and so I’ve been working on a project.
A drinks book featuring recipes from fabulous herbalists, nutritionists, and foodies alike.
To stay in the loop for when it is ready, visit: samanthalewis.com.au
Instagram @samanthalewis.au