The nation’s drinking habits have changed dramatically over the last 18 months. Many of us enjoyed a refreshing tipple in the comfort of our home, with plenty opting to reach for a lower or non-alcoholic alternative. 


That’s not surprising; the lockdowns of 2020 were an ideal time to take stock of our health and find a drink that both tasted great but didn’t leave you with a heavy head the next morning.


How the pandemic changed the way we drink 


There’s little doubt that the modern world brings with it a lot of pressure and achieving that much-coveted work-life balance has become even harder since the pandemic hit. The first lockdown made many of us think more carefully about our health, and it’s easy to see why people are actively opting to make lifestyle changes – including what they are drinking. The modern market is now full of zero alcohol drinks, but not everyone wants to become teetotal – nor have a full-strength drink. There’s a middle ground with low alcohol and concentrated spirit alternatives that don’t compromise on taste. 


The trend of people re-evaluating their relationship with alcohol started to rise pre-pandemic, but in a post-lockdown world, it is no longer just a trend – people are motivated to take their health more seriously and there has been a huge increase in demand for lower-alcohol spirits. 


Why choose a lower-alcohol alternative? 


Some people opt for lower-alcohol spirits simply because they want to moderate how much alcohol they consume. They lead busy lives and, let’s face it, a fuzzy morning head isn’t going to cut it at work. Most of all, people want to feel good about both themselves and their life choices. 


This changing behaviour is particularly prominent with the younger generation, many of whom are choosing no or lower-alcohol drinks as ‘the norm’, but this is spreading across other age groups. 


As lockdown life proved, online technology has made friends and family instantly accessible via video calls, and the once central role of pubs and clubs for initiating social networks appears to have changed, perhaps long-term. People are now simply more used to sharing a glass or two of their favourite drink while sitting on the sofa with their loved one, rather than queuing at a packed bar. 


The benefits of lower-alcohol drinks


The health benefits of switching to lower-alcohol drinks are clear. In the short term, you’re more likely to get a better night’s sleep, feel brighter the next day and generally be more productive compared with drinking full-strength drinks. Concentrated spirits, such as Inginious Gin, are also lower in calories, meaning your waistline will thank you for switching too. 


Long-term, reducing the number of units you consume will help you avoid the more serious effects of drinking, such as chronic diseases and poor drinking habits. Concentrated spirits are the perfect tipple for both enjoying a night out with friends, or a cosy evening at home. With all the flavour of alcohol, but without the existential dread the next day, what’s not to like? 


Delicious drinks – without the hangover 


If you are keen to ditch the hangovers, but still want to enjoy an adult drink to wind down, one of the most interesting alcoholic innovations to have emerged in the past couple of years is the use of concentrated spirits. Inginious Gin has been developed to partner perfectly with non-alcoholic mixers. A concentrated 43% ABV gin that is packed full of responsibly sourced botanicals and, when mixed with tonic, gives you that familiar, aromatic G&T taste experience. 


A 5ml serve diluted with your favourite mixer is all it takes to tantalise your taste buds. This is compared with a normal 50ml serve for a standard double of your usual gin. In essence, the gin has 10 times the flavour concentration of a traditional bottle. Meaning that you only need to add a few drops to your tonic to enjoy the same flavours of a typical gin and tonic, with just 0.2 units of alcohol per serve. The legal limit for women to drive in the UK is 3 units currently. That equates to approximately 15 Inginious G&T’s, and that’s something not to be sniffed at.