WE have all been there.
Whether it’s your turn to be the designated driver, you’re pregnant, or you’re simply not drinking, all your mates want to go out to the pub and you’re left with a choice of fresh juice, cordial and soda, lemonade or cola. Again.
It has to be said, that as an adult, the range of soft drinks available can seem a little limited and, well, boring.
But now all that is starting to change.
As part of Dry January, a number of pubs and clubs across North East Lincolnshire have risen to the challenge of creating a whole new non-alcoholic menu to tempt your tastebuds.
As reported, the aim of the Alcohol Concern appeal is to challenge those who enjoy a drink to give up booze for 31 days and at the same time, save a few quid, lose a few pounds, and feel more energised and refreshed in the process.
North East Lincolnshire Council has teamed up with dozens of bars and clubs across the borough as well as local leisure centres, Shoreline Housing Partnership and Freshney Place Shopping Centre to promote the drive.
And the Rose and Crown, in Scartho, is just one of the pubs which is offering a whole host of non-alcoholic treats as a result.
Landlady Lisa Thompson said she had decided to take action after a number of her regulars told her they were taking part or even just cutting back on their alcohol intake but were bored of the selection of alternatives on offer.
She said: "We have been encouraging people to take part in Dry January anyway, but many of them were telling us they were struggling to stick to it because of the lack of choice available, which pushed us to come up with a new range of drinks.
"One of our regulars, who wants to remain anonymous, is being sponsored to complete Dry January but after a week he was saying he was sick of lime and soda and was finding that sticking to it was a real struggle.
"Hopefully, this new range of drinks will help push him and others into sticking to it."
The new range of drinks will be available in the Louth Road pub from Monday and Lisa believes they will remain popular, even with customers who are not taking part in the challenge.
She said: "It provides a nice alternative for people who want to come in and have a meal, or a few drinks with friends, who don’t want to drink alcohol.
"A lot of the non-alcoholic alternatives normally on offer are too sweet. Others are non-alcoholic versions of beers and wines, but some of those taking part in the challenge say they don’t want to drink those, as it would make them want a beer even more!
"We have ladies who come in for lunch who would usually have a glass of wine who have been cutting back as well, so these new mocktails will be perfect for them too."
Staff from popular new Cleethorpes venue The Bobbin have also backed the campaign.
The new bar is offering three mocktails: a Virgin Mary, a Raspberry And Elderflower Collins and one more, which is yet to be named. All three are priced at L3 L2 cheaper than their alcoholic alternatives.
Manager Imogen Clare said: "We had a Pubwatch meeting before Christmas where we decided we wanted to get involved with the scheme.
"We often get people coming in for non-alcoholic cocktails so we thought we might as well make the most of it and offer some special drinks.
"And there’s obviously a market for these drinks. For example, they’re a good alternative for those people who are driving, and are stuck with Coke or lemonade."
Professor Kevin Fenton, national director for health and wellbeing at Public Health England which is also backing the campaign said: "More than 17,000 people took part in Dry January last year and many reported that taking a month-long break from alcohol acted as a reset button concerning their alcohol use for months afterwards, not only helping people to drink less per drinking day, but also to drink less frequently.
"People who sign up to Dry January will receive the tips, ideas and encouragement to stay motivated and make the most of their month off alcohol."
To register to take part in Dry January, log on to www.dryjanuary.org.uk
