Want to try something new or be an inclusive host this season? Olivia’s got you covered.
It was only meant to be for 30 days, but 18 months later, Olivia Molly Rogers has completely changed her relationship with alcohol. “About two weeks in, I realised it felt pretty good to not drink, and since then I’ve learnt a lot about myself,” she says. After 15 months completely dry, she reached a point where she decided a couple of drinks here and there is the right move for her. “I used to binge drink and felt like I had to have a drink in my hand to be confident at social events. That time off drinking has shown me that I don’t need any kind of social lubricant and it’s actually made me so much more confident,” she says. “I’ve well and truly proved to myself that I can take or leave a drink, so now if I feel like having a couple of wines then I will, and that’s it.”
During her time away from alcohol, the mental health advocate, author and former Miss Universe Australia has enjoyed many traditionally big-drinking events, and she’s picked up a few tools along the way. “There are lots of social occasions where you’d normally have an alcoholic drink, or you think you have to drink at, but you really don’t need to!” she says.
Olivia’s move to cut out alcohol – driven by dreading the anxiety she would experience following a big night out – was well timed, coinciding with an explosion of new zero%* alcohol products. “That’s made it a lot easier. Prior to that, not many places had good non-alcoholic* options beyond a soft drink, which came in a basic glass and made you feel like a child or the odd one out. Now, having so much choice makes you feel included – I don’t get FOMO!” she says.
If you’re into the idea of swapping in some lower-alcohol drinks this season or considering going booze-free, Olivia’s advice is to have a plan. This might include telling your host ahead of time, and perhaps a few others who will be at the event. “If you really want to stand your ground and not drink, that can make it a lot easier,” she says. Olivia also adds not to worry about standing out. “You think people are so obsessed with you not drinking, but everyone’s too focused on themselves.”
As for Olivia’s best pro tip? Turn up to parties with something delicious you can drink. And after 18 months of sussing out the best zero%* alcohol products, Olivia is here to help. Below, she shares her current favourites to see you through the season.
Olivia wasn’t ever into beer, but non-alcoholic* brews have, strangely, won her over. Two of her staples are the Great Northern Zero and Nort Non Alcoholic Refreshing Ale, which she says taste a lot like the real deal. “I really like them, especially when they’re very cold. They’re really refreshing,” she says. “They also give that placebo effect of winding down with a drink at the end of a day.”
Olivia now likes to keep some of these brews in the fridge as they’re ideal for when friends stop by and need to drive home. “When the option’s there, people are going to say yes,” she says.
Having always been partial to a glass of bubbles, Olivia is excited about the Oddbird Blanc de Blancs. “Some of the non-alcoholic* sparklings are on the sweeter side, but I prefer them a bit drier, and this is one that’s close to the real thing,” she says.
Olivia says Oddbird’s pretty packaging also looks the part, which is great for anyone not wanting to draw attention to the fact they’re not drinking. Being able to join in on a toast or share a festive drink with friends is a big deal for Olivia, too. “There’s something about bubbles that feels celebratory, and having it in a flute feels fancier,” Olivia says.
Coming from South Australia, Olivia knows great reds, having spent many a friend’s birthday celebration on winery tours around her hometown of Adelaide. So, the Today for Tomorrow Barossa Zero Alcohol Shiraz is a recent discovery that’s become a bit of a go-to. “I think it tastes the closest to red wine that I’ve tried as it’s a bit heavier than most other non-alcoholic* wines,” she says.
Olivia has been enjoying a glass of the Today for Tomorrow before heading out as well as over dinner, and it’s proving another great choice for catch-ups with mates. “I really like the ritual of making myself something nice to drink, and sitting down and enjoying it with friends,” she says.
A big fan of a good gin and tonic, Olivia is loving the zero%* alcohol options – particularly the Gordon’s 0% Gin & Tonic & Lime. “It’s really good! The premixed drink is handy and not too high in sugar, but I also like mixing it myself with good tonic, nice fruit and making it into a pretty drink,” she says.
Many of Olivia’s friends now often switch between their usual drinks and non-alcoholic* options on a night out, with these G&Ts proving especially popular. “They've all tried them and loved them, which shows just how similar these products are.”
